By Patrick EngelWell, it's Valentine's Day, and you know what that means - flowers, champagne, a romantic dinner, chocolates, and dare I suggest, a bubble bath?
Most of you aren't chefs, are you?
If you've chosen to be a chef, or to work in the restaurant business, Valentine's Day is another one of those days (like Mother's Day, New Year's Eve,
Saturdays) that lose their significance. I spend those types of days - the days where regular folk get together to celebrate, dine and party - working. On those days, I see little of my wife, and even less of my kids. And the last thing I feel like doing after a long shift on Valentine's Day is cooking a romantic meal for my wife. (Sorry, babe!)
Not to worry, though. Out of necessity, I have created a solution to my absenteeism that may be applicable not just to us "food industry people," but to you, as well:
Create your own "Valentine's Day."
Think about it. It's February 14, which means:
- Roses are twice the price they were a week ago.
- Restaurants are overbooked (and maybe a bit overpriced?).
- Good luck booking your 10th grade babysitter (who is, like, celebrating her five-and-a-half week anniversary with her super awesome boyfriend that night).
- The Canadian winter can always dump a foot of snow on your best-laid plans like a giant wet blanket!
For me, Valentine's Day comes with just too many expectations, and too many catches. But I believe everyone needs a day like Valentine's Day, especially couples with young kids. A day to celebrate each other, and remember why you started all of this in the first place - I'm simply suggesting it need not be February 14.
I say choose a day that's not a birthday or an anniversary. This day would be a great day to surprise your kids with some chocolates (my kids are boys, and those chocolates do NOT need to be in a pink heart-shaped box) or maybe a special breakfast *. (
Teaser alert! Tune in next week for breakfast talk.)
Setting your own schedule will allow you to easily put childcare in place, and let you get down to some serious grown-up time, because all parents need their grown-up time, which may or may not include the following:
Dinner: Remember that restaurant business I was speaking about? You will have a much better experience at a restaurant on a day that is NOT February 14. Restaurants on February 14 have a striking resemblance to malls on December 24 and liquor stores on December 31. Chaos for staff and patrons alike. Believe me, I've been there. Many times.
Flowers: I assure you that roses by the dozen will be half the price any other week of the year. This may come off as cheap, but I think it comes off as wise, especially if you put those savings toward either more flowers or the bottle of bubbly wine that I also recommend. If you save 30 bucks on flowers, that $50.00 champagne is now
$80.00 champagne. I don't know about your significant other, but Mrs. Cheffer WILL notice the upgrade.
Wine: See flowers.
Dessert: Hey, you've got childcare, and I say whatever happens after 10 p.m. on fake Valentine's Day is your business.
I
will say this - on Valentine's Day, or any other day, be sure to make time for love and romance. You owe it to yourself, and you owe it to your kids. Happy parents are good parents.
* (And see you next week for breakfast!)
 |
Patrick Engel has been cooking professionally for 15 years. After graduating from George Brown College in Toronto, and training in the kitchens of Rodney's Oyster House and Bymark Restaurant, Patrick relocated to Niagara's wine region, working at Inn on the Twenty, followed by six years as resident chef instructor at The Good Earth Cooking School. Patrick is currently the chef at Hospice Niagara's Stabler Centre and associate chef at The Garrison House in Niagara-on-the Lake. Patrick lives in St. Catharines, Ontario, with his wife, Marnie, and their two boys, Charlie (7) and Johnny (5).
|
Related articles/recipes:
It's lunchtime, kids!
Chef Dad does Taco Thursday
Reading and writing in the kitchenHomemade BurgersFood shopping with kids
Tangy Tomato Vinaigrette
Eggnog and Anytime Punch
Leftover Turkey Bread Pudding
Ricotta Gnocchi
Chocolate Truffles
Keep It Real in the Kitchen
