LAS VEGAS, BABY! WHAT A NIGHT!

Friendly Friends!
If you missed my "Viva Las Vegas" Cooking Class Extravaganza, you really missed it! The food was incredible if I do say so myself, but the fun was immeasurable! I want to thank all of our wonderful "Stars" that came out to help us celebrate: Elvis, you are Always the King; Marilyn Monroe, you're still the Princess of HOTTIES; Mr. Vegas Tom Jones: U Rock, dude! And of course, the lovely lady with the fruity cranium, CARMEN MIRANDA.....you are a TRUE Goddess, babe! What can I say? I also want to thank all the wonderful folks who joined us for this truly unique experience. I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!
You know, I use food for fuel and for fun. Life's way too short not to enjoy it, people. My Princess bride always reminds me that "This is our life.....this is NOT a dress rehearsal." I know exactly what she means. Take each moment you're on this earth and savor it; enjoy this gift the best way you know how. You never know how it may change. Just this weekend, life changed drastically for some friends of mine. While they will eventually get back to the task of "living", things will always be very different for them. That's why you have to make each moment count. It doesn't have to be an "earth-shattering" event; it could be just sharing a Diet Dr. Pepper with your daughter after a softball game (that's all I could have....on a diet, you know!). I grew up in a big family of seven children and my grandmother all under the same roof. Things were less hectic when my dad was just a sales mgr. for a brick company. We had dinners together every night, and all was grand. Then we got into the restaurant business and my life changed. We weren't all around the table together anymore. I missed that growing up. When I teach these classes, I try to do things and set up "themes" so that you all have fun. It means so very much to me, and I want so badly to share these recipes, flavors and experiences with you. I don't want to go through my life saying "what if...". So perhaps I don't have all the room to have each of you cook your own food or participate in an elaborate cooking scheme. I can demonstrate it for you, and now you've become a part of my world. Isn't THAT what it's all about? Learning more and more about all of you is fun for me because it gives us a bond; we have shared an experience. Trust me: do this with your family as often as you can. I love it when my children bring their friends over when I'm cooking. It means more folks want to share their lives with me, and that's a huge honor and privilege. I am humbled that my two stepsons have allowed me to share such a special place in their life. Food and cooking helped me to build that bond with them, and I love them as though they are my very own. Meet your family around the table sometime, and let them know that No Conversation is off limits. You'll be surprised what you will learn. I didn't mean to turn this into a "Soap Opera" today, but after the events of this weekend, I had this on my mind. Hug your family and tell them you love them. Cook together, even if you're not very good. Heck, I'll TEACH ya! haha Thanks for reading this. Let me know if you have any topics you would like me to cover. Until next time: BE COOL! Chef Mark "Chunkman" Pollard: Father to 4 of my Heroes, Friend to all who will have me, and The Happiest Husband in the world, for I have a PRINCESS!! ;)

VIVAAAAA LAS VEGAS!

It's ON, friends! This is the week of the VIVA LAS VEGAS cooking class, and I'm SO excited! We've got a pretty amazing lineup of treats that we're going to be cooking on Thursday, so come hungry! I started working on the Baked Alaskas today and they're going to be fun and yummy. I made the Gazpacho today as well, because it gets better as it "marries" with all the flavors. If you're coming, feel free to "dress up" if you would like to. I know we'll have some pretty big "stars" here, so it should be a fun evening for everyone. Someone recently asked me about our classes and if you get to cook your own dinner when you're here. Well, we're just not set up in our kitchen to do it quite that way. I love for folks to come up and assist me, and we hope you really learn something while you're here. We are working on plans to make our "Wolf & Subzero" kitchen fully operational, and add much more seating along with worktables. That will be lots of fun, don't you think? (say "yes"!) Anyway, I try to get you as involved as possible, but sometimes it's more demonstration than "hands on", and mainly for that reason. There ya go!
I'm getting ready to launch my summer class schedule, and I'm going to be doing The Cook's Station Book Club Class. I'm taking a different chef's cookbook each month and we'll showcase their food. What do you think about that, hmm? I think it will be cool. So that's about all I have time for today, 'cuz I DO have a job, you know! Until next time, my people: Thanks a million, make every second count, and I'll see YOU at the TOP!!
Chef Mark "Chunkman" Pollard: Friend, Daddio, Groove Machine, and Married to the Princess of my Dreams!

It's Time to Partay!!

Easter....The Bunny came and left his loot, my family enjoyed a delicious lunch at our "crib", and my Princess and I came away tired but happy knowing that we had enjoyed such an important occasion with the ones we love the most. Easter is the rebirth; everything begins anew. We can go into the religious connotations, which are very dear to me and my family, but for now I would just say that I'm very excited about the opportunities that lie ahead of us. Let's Rock ON, people!
This week: I'm back on it with our Spring Cocktail Partayyyy!! I'm excited about this class because we're really going to give you some good info on how to plan and execute your next "Throwdown". We've got some really beautiful drinks to share with you, along with some delicious and easy appetizers, decorating tips and even some "Tune Selection". How much fun can a human have in a span of 2 hours? Hmm? I ask you!
I think I might do some deeelicious grilling on Friday just because I can. No charge, just bring your cool self on down here and who knows what we might make? I'm always up for sumpin'.
My partner in crime, Chef Julie (or Jules if yer cool), is going to do be cooking up a storm on Wednesday for "Wind and Willow Wednesday". She takes the delicious mixes made by Wind and Willow and puts her own spin on the recipes, so you need to come down for some sampling. Hey, THAT'S FREE!!
Well, the dam's gonna burst in about 2 weeks as we head into "Vegas Week". Our VIVA LAS VEGAS Cooking Extravaganza on April 22 is SOLD OUT!! That's tight, man....tight! Also, I'm appearing on the Jack and Kimberly Morning Show on WSPA-TV 7 on April 21st of that week, and I'm gonna make some of the Pimiento Groove. If you think I'm giving out the recipe, you're W-R-O-N-G! heehee But I'll show ya how I make it "Grooooove".
Finally, I found out last night that one of my son's friends, Handy Andy, has purchased a home in my neighborhood and is moving in very soon. Anyone want to buy my house?? hahahaha Just kidding, Handy. But do be careful of the razor-wire fence I'm putting up around my yard. It's a little "Sharp". Until next time, my troops: Peace OUT!! Chef Mark "Chunkman" Pollard": Family Food Broker, Father of some real cartoon characters, and the most blessed man in the world because I have a Princess who said "I Do"!