Halloween Treat Class was SPOOKTACULAR!

Well, the Halloween Treat Class was DEFINITELY a hit! I'm so thankful to my wonderful team, because without them it would have been a Whirling Vortex of HORROR!! heehee Julie and Kevin were awesome as always, and I especially want to thank my sous chef/daughter Lindsay "Lulu". She made the Brain Cookie dough and the BLOOD for it. I didn't have to prompt her or anything...she just knew what to do. It amazes me what culinary skills she has at the tender age of 12 1/2. Thanks, doll. So ya wanna know what we made? Cool! We made the "Brain Cookies with a Blood Glaze, Graveyard pudding with Whipped Cream Ghosts, Oreo Dirt and Gummy Worms, and Snake Bite Sandwiches." It was a lot of fun and the kids were really hilarious. While the brain cookies were in the oven, I decided to take all the squirts outside in the parking lot and play "Simon Says" in front of all of Greenville. (didn't want to have any "down time" waiting for cookies, you know.) Well, I must say that it wasn't just the kids and moms who found humor in it: it was also enjoyed by the folks driving and walking by, along with the trolley riders. Quite funny, a chef out there with the kids, doing the "Octopus" and making them run and jump in place to when the coveted title of Simon Says Master. Needless to say, I was a little "Pooped" when the class was over. I loved having all the kids there and I hope they had as much fun as we did. Hey, we have a Cookie Swap coming up next, followed by our Thanksgiving class. You neeeeeed to call the store NOW and make your reservations, 'cuz I promise you this will be fun fun fun fun!
As for the rest of my weekend? Well, my little Princess and my son, Skeet M.R. (Master Redneck) went to Pittsburgh to visit family and go to a Pitt Panthers game, Turner the Sub King went to visit the Beautiful Lisbeth Rooster Queen, and Lulu and I just went home after the class and watched our TIGERS Whup up on those 'Canes!! WWOOOHOOOOO! I'll calm down now. Anyway, everyone came home last night and now it's time to get a great week going from the very start. Every day is a new adventure; and opportunity to do something good. Make good use of it, and don't be afraid to try new things. You just might fall into something cool. Until next time, my friends: Cheers! Chef Mark "Chunkman" Pollard: Friend, Father, Chef, Nut, and Husband of a Beautiful Princess!

Pain is good....Extreme Pain's Extremely Good!

Yep, Pain can be a good thing sometimes. I should know, because it seems like I'm getting a lot of a good thing lately! My ankle was swollen to the size of my head, and we ALL KNOW that's big. It's from old taekwondo injuries. I know....MOST men say "old football injuries", but my was taekwondo and the fact that for many years, I was also a running FREAK. I practiced tkd from a hospital bed when I was a kid. I had just had an operation and my older brother and my tkd instructor sneaked into the hospital to see me. There I was, with my leg going up and down in the middle of the night, not realizing that I could have ripped out my stitches. Then there's the running part: when I was a personal trainer, I ran in the sun, fog, snow, rain, earthquakes, 9/11 (THAT was scary!)...you name it. I had stress fractures, twisted ankles and knees, blisters. I didn't care, I had to be in shape. Well, as your Favorite Cook's Station Chef, I can be an idiot when I'm passionate about something. "NO", you say, "NOT YOU"!! Oh yeah, babe....me. I do the same when I'm cooking. When I have a passion for a new recipe or technique, I'll stop at NOTHING to perfect it. So there ya go....portrait of a Freaky Chef Dude! I'm no longer training, and there's a LITTLE MORE OF ME than used to be, but I'm gonna work on getting healthier and staying there as I have for most of my life. Do I ever want to be the weight I was 10 years ago? No, not at all. I just want to be healthy so I'll be here for my sweet little wife and my awesome family and friends. That's all. So after the holidays, beginning in January, I'm going to do a series on healthy eating, but make it taste like EVIL EATING!! That's the ticket. Be watching for that. In the meantime, Gear up for our remaining cooking classes of the fall. Julie is going to be doing a cookie swap soon, and she has some tremendous recipes to share with all of us. I'm teaching a Thanksgiving class that will be off the hook and I want YOU to join me. If you don't have your reservation for the Ultimate Christmas Cool Dinner, you'd better do that VERY SOON!! It's going fast. Some of you have asked me about this thing I have going with the Food Channel....can't talk about that very much at this time, but I can tell you it's good news! I'll share with you later. That's about all I have to say, except thanks to our Rooster Queen Lisbeth for taking care of our son, Turner the Sub King, at the race in Charlotte this weekend. We love you!!!! Also, to my friend Vance: Son, a restaurant is a place to EAT, NOT read the flippin' comics! Put the paper DOWN and Walk away from it, boy!! Peace out everyone! Chef Mark "Chunkman" Pollard: Father, Friend, Funny Guy and Husband of my AWESOME GORGEOUS PRINCESS!!!!

Another Fall Festival, Come and Gone

What a wonderful weekend I had! The Third Annual Princess' Fall Festival was held at the Palace in Clemson, and it was a stellar event! The food was fantastic, and I have to thank my sous chefs Lulu and BLEEEEEED!!! Both helped me with the culinary extravaganza, and I truly appreciate their marvelous efforts. My WONDERFUL little Princess made a Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle that was to DIE for! Really: I almost died for it. (just kidding) What's fun about an event like that was to be able to share it with all the folks you truly care about. Too bad none of them were there! hahahahaha No, the attendees are people I really love, and I'm so glad they could come. To those who couldn't make it this year, we still love you and we'll see you again soon. My son, Squarehead, and his girlie, Heather came to throw down with us and that made it all the more fun. One of the most memorable events of the day was my son SKEET, M.R. (master redneck) playing his favorite fall game, "Rip the Ball Joints Off the GMC Jimmy". Oh yeah, babe, the chicks were digging THAT game. Turner The Sub King, our oldest, was chillin' like a bowl of Jello with his lovely little Sweetie-Pie, Lisbeth the Rooster Princess. It was a whirling vortex of fun and happiness. Never did get to the Fall Festival Gaming table to play Apples to Apples. I guess I'll never realize the FUN of that one. All in all, it was an amazing weekend, and as I said in my last entry, it's because we did it with family and friends. If you ever want to know what's on the minds of your kids and loved ones, get them to sit around the table. You'll be amazed what you will discover. By the way, for those who have followed my progress on the chance to be on the show, The Next Food Network Star 6, I will let you know that I wasn't picked to be on the show....'cuz they are going to bring me up to NYC in the Spring to audition for a chance to have MY OWN SHOW, COUSIN!! Oh yeah, The Princess will get a new Sled....one worthy of her beauty! I'll talk more about that next time because my fingers are starting to hurt. I'm just thankful to get the chance to try out, and if it doesn't happen? Well, I know my Princess, family and friends love me for who I am, not for what I have. God has been good to me, and perhaps I don't recognize Him enough. I am truly blessed! Until next time, my peeps: Cheers!!!! Chef Mark "Chunkman" Pollard: Party Thrower Extraordinaire, Father to some awesome people, humble friend to some real cool cats, (possible tv personality...sshhhh!) and Husband to the best Princess in the World!!! Thank you ALL!!

Fall Festival is Coming!

Yep, it's here again...Fall Festival at the Pollard Palace in Clemson! My lovely little Princess began this October tradition a few years ago, with soup and cornbread and tales of what a Festival should be. I'm proud to say that it has now grown into a highly anticipated event, filled with good food, fun and fellowship. There's nothing like a little "nip" in the air to really bring a festival to life. Will we play games like "Pin the Leaf on the Tree" this year? Or perhaps light a little fire in our outdoor firepit? (it WILL be 75 degrees, you know. I'm just sayin'...) Whatever my Princess wants....That's what we'll do, by golly. I have offered my services to cook for everyone this year. Princess usually does for the Festival, but I thought I would assist her in "kickin' it up" this year, so we're gonna Throw Down! She does so much for me and the family, so I want to lend her my full support. (I also don't want Taco soup. JUST KIDDING, SWEETNESS!! heehee) This weekend is also Fall for Greenville. I figure both Festivals will draw huge crowds, only MY crowd is by invitation ONLY! Oh yeah, babe...that's how I roll! And what a Star-Studded Celebrity Crowd I have, walking the Chef Chunkman & Princess Red Carpet! Some of the attendees include Rockin' Turner the Sub King, Lovely Lisbeth from Roosterville, the ever-popular celebrity outdoorsman, Skeet.. M.R. (Master Redneck), Chef Lulu and her Magic Whisk, and a very SPECIAL guest, which I can't divulge at this time. Wow, how cool is that?
What's the real important part of this festival? Being with my wonderful family and friends, of course. So whether you're on the Celebrity List at The Princess' Fall Festival, going to Fall for Greenville, or just doing your own thing, remember the truly important things: family and great friends. Go build some good memories this weekend. You'll be glad you did. Until next time, my Peeps....Cheers! Chef Mark "Chunkman" Pollard: A Very Blessed father, friend to some awesome folks, and an ecstatic husband to a PRINCESS! Happy Fall Festival to ALL!!

IT'S RAINING! IT'S POURING! HEEHEE

Got up at 3:45am this morning, ate my breakfast and watched the Flintstones. What a way to start the day! When the meteorologist (formerly known as "Weathermen") says we have a 70% chance of rain, does that mean it's going to rain over 70% of the area? Or how about it will rain 100% of the area for 70% of the day? Or how about.....FORGET IT, DUDE! 'Nuff said about that. We had a group of interior designers at The Cook's Station yesterday for a program put on by Wolf/Subzero. I made them some delicious little treats, and they seemed to appreciate it. We've got a "Comfort Foods" cooking class this Thursday, but I just have to oversee it. I have a guest chef, Cynthia Williams, coming in to Throw Down some yummies, so be sure to join me. Anyway, that's about all that's going on for the moment. I just fixed my little Princess' breakfast, which consists of a delicious toasted English Muffin and wonderfully toasted Pimiento Grooooove, and coffee. MMMM, tasty! Well, I'm running around here in my Sponge Bob Underoos, so I'll get ready for work now. We'll talk later, as I probably just gave you all tooo much information and you're feeling queezy now. Peace Out, friends!
Cheers! Chef Mark "Chunkman" Pollard: Rock Star Chef (in my OWN mind!), Father to his little pals, friend to BLEEED (inside joke), and husband of a GORGEOUS PRINCESS!!

October is here!!

Guten Tag!
Okay, that's the only German I know, and I'm not even sure that it's right! What's up, all you happenin' humans? I've been "Gettin' Down to the Big Sound" all day here at The Cook's Station. That's 'cuz I'm NOT Scared to go to the TOP!! 'Nuff of that, friends: have you registered yet for our Comfort Foods Class? Weeeell, you better because it's next Thursday, Oct. 8. My guest will be Chef Cynthia Williams, a local favorite. I can't wait to try her Smothered Fried Chicken with those big ol' bisquits for soppin' up all that yummy sauce. Country coleslaw and Yukon mashed taters, followed by her spin on Apple Crisp a la mode, and you're kickin' it up, friend. Many of you may know her from her unbelievable desserts at The Augusta Grill, so you need to COME ON DOWN!! Well, that's it for today, because I still have customers coming in the door. I'M NOT AN ANIMAL....I'M JUST A MAN!!!!! I'm a little out of sorts today because "Top Chef" wasn't on last night, and Nobody Told me! That almost put me into a flippin' coma, but not quite. My lovely bride is preparing our home for her very own 3rd Annual Fall Festival. It's a cornucopia of fun and merry-making, and I'll tell you more about that next time. Peace out, my peoples!

Chef Mark "Chunkman" Pollard: Food Wizard, Dad to some cool little humans, and LoveSlave to a Princess!! Oh Yeah!!