Comments for The Pickled Tongue & Foss Family Chronicles http://thepickledtongue.com Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:04:03 +0000 hourly 1 Comment on Foss Family Food Trucks: The Meatyballs Mobile by Philip Foss Hits the Road | chicago.rssible.com http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6677&cpage=1#comment-31682 Philip Foss Hits the Road | chicago.rssible.com Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:04:03 +0000 http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6677#comment-31682 [...] last Friday the tweets went out and the next day Foss hit the streets in a licensed catering truck he rented from a guy who services construction [...] [...] last Friday the tweets went out and the next day Foss hit the streets in a licensed catering truck he rented from a guy who services construction [...]

]]> Comment on F.U. Public Relations Company by Chadzilla http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6646&cpage=1#comment-30184 Chadzilla Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:09:14 +0000 http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6646#comment-30184 Interesting to see what ways you are paving for yourself now. It's as though you were placed before a forest, and just started whacking randomly (yet methodically) into the brush with a machete. This is what's great about the evolution of the culinary world at this moment (I keep preaching this to young aspiring cooks all of the time). The amount of opportunities available seem endless and are only limited by the imagination. Your statements about PR companies are right on point. We've even 'employed' such a person, and I've always wondered why. It seems that we've done more for promoting our restaurant (and completely on our own accord) than any such PR person. Maybe it actually stands for 'pissing revenue' which is exactly your point. Between the many outside events we've done, the contacts we've made, the special events we've schemed up, the blog (which although stagnant for almost a year now amazes me daily by how many hits it receives... and it will thrive again soon), and the Paradigm dinners (which also after a year of their demise still get occasional queries from guests who wish to participate) we've done far more than any PR person has for us. The bottom line is that they don't get it because they do not share the same passion as the chef. Their biggest focus is creating 'security' for themselves and they will stifle your fire before throwing gas on it. Whether you're a great writer or not, you should be truthful, humble, and well, just be yourself. I believe that this creates a good read more than anything else. The biggest example (or affirmation) for myself was about a year ago when our PR person decided that this blogging thing and twitter thing was a neat idea, and had every employee in the establishment sign a waiver which basically amounted to a gag across our mouths when it came to speaking of any 'work' business on any social media. Well, no one likes to be told what to say and when they can say it, so I digressed to the state I am now. I had already proven to be more effective than they were so I just let it slide... There will, come again, another day. Interesting to see what ways you are paving for yourself now. It’s as though you were placed before a forest, and just started whacking randomly (yet methodically) into the brush with a machete. This is what’s great about the evolution of the culinary world at this moment (I keep preaching this to young aspiring cooks all of the time). The amount of opportunities available seem endless and are only limited by the imagination.
Your statements about PR companies are right on point. We’ve even ‘employed’ such a person, and I’ve always wondered why. It seems that we’ve done more for promoting our restaurant (and completely on our own accord) than any such PR person. Maybe it actually stands for ‘pissing revenue’ which is exactly your point. Between the many outside events we’ve done, the contacts we’ve made, the special events we’ve schemed up, the blog (which although stagnant for almost a year now amazes me daily by how many hits it receives… and it will thrive again soon), and the Paradigm dinners (which also after a year of their demise still get occasional queries from guests who wish to participate) we’ve done far more than any PR person has for us.
The bottom line is that they don’t get it because they do not share the same passion as the chef. Their biggest focus is creating ‘security’ for themselves and they will stifle your fire before throwing gas on it. Whether you’re a great writer or not, you should be truthful, humble, and well, just be yourself. I believe that this creates a good read more than anything else. The biggest example (or affirmation) for myself was about a year ago when our PR person decided that this blogging thing and twitter thing was a neat idea, and had every employee in the establishment sign a waiver which basically amounted to a gag across our mouths when it came to speaking of any ‘work’ business on any social media. Well, no one likes to be told what to say and when they can say it, so I digressed to the state I am now. I had already proven to be more effective than they were so I just let it slide…
There will, come again, another day.

]]> Comment on Memoir Excerpt – New York, 1996 by James Toland http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6130&cpage=1#comment-29779 James Toland Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:35:10 +0000 http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6130#comment-29779 Nicely written! I take offense to the comment about children holding us back however. I was 24 when my daughter was born to my first wife. A shared your reluctance at the time about starting a family but it ended up saving my life and giving me the drive I needed to make something of myself. Truth be told, I don't think having kids so young held me back at all. If my life was any more exciting and adventurous I'd have to have sherpas to carry my memoir. Nicely written! I take offense to the comment about children holding us back however. I was 24 when my daughter was born to my first wife. A shared your reluctance at the time about starting a family but it ended up saving my life and giving me the drive I needed to make something of myself. Truth be told, I don’t think having kids so young held me back at all. If my life was any more exciting and adventurous I’d have to have sherpas to carry my memoir.

]]> Comment on Memoir Excerpt – New York, 1996 by chadzilla http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6130&cpage=1#comment-29765 chadzilla Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:19:12 +0000 http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6130#comment-29765 Old photos are a trip. Just a reminder of how the road of life turns us from fearless young bucks into... well, Uncle Buck. Old photos are a trip. Just a reminder of how the road of life turns us from fearless young bucks into… well, Uncle Buck.

]]> Comment on Food for Thought by Phillip Foss http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6098&cpage=1#comment-29438 Phillip Foss Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:44:53 +0000 http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6098#comment-29438 Great comment chef. Love the second to last sentence and couldn't agree more. Regarding the last, no - but it may make it's way in. Great comment chef. Love the second to last sentence and couldn’t agree more. Regarding the last, no – but it may make it’s way in.

]]> Comment on Food for Thought by Patrick Sheerin http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6098&cpage=1#comment-29437 Patrick Sheerin Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:38:29 +0000 http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6098#comment-29437 Very well written and poignant no matter what your religious background is. I think that any of us with family and faith based morals wrestle with the same thoughts and feelings because we are not there to celebrate and help to guide our little ones regarding the true meaning of these "holidays". Cooking and helping the ingredient to be the best ingredient it can be is a much better way to nourish the ones we love which in turn nourishes us. Did you just write a chapter in your memoirs?? Very well written and poignant no matter what your religious background is. I think that any of us with family and faith based morals wrestle with the same thoughts and feelings because we are not there to celebrate and help to guide our little ones regarding the true meaning of these “holidays”. Cooking and helping the ingredient to be the best ingredient it can be is a much better way to nourish the ones we love which in turn nourishes us. Did you just write a chapter in your memoirs??

]]> Comment on Food for Thought by parissa http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6098&cpage=1#comment-29393 parissa Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:00:16 +0000 http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6098#comment-29393 gorgeously written and wonderfully beautiful thoughts. thank you! i often times feel that people get caught up with the letter of the law and completely miss the spirit of the law. While I respect the letter of the law, the beauty of the spirit and all of its nuances are more interesting to me. your loving preparation of food in all of its forms is no different from a doctor treating patients or teachers education children. It's a practical yet a mystical experience and isn't limited by how we are classified. On a lighter note, this reminds me of the the end of My Big Fat Greek Wedding where Toula's father announces, "we are all fruit." gorgeously written and wonderfully beautiful thoughts. thank you! i often times feel that people get caught up with the letter of the law and completely miss the spirit of the law. While I respect the letter of the law, the beauty of the spirit and all of its nuances are more interesting to me.

your loving preparation of food in all of its forms is no different from a doctor treating patients or teachers education children. It’s a practical yet a mystical experience and isn’t limited by how we are classified.

On a lighter note, this reminds me of the the end of My Big Fat Greek Wedding where Toula’s father announces, “we are all fruit.”

]]> Comment on Food for Thought by jenn http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6098&cpage=1#comment-29379 jenn Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:24:58 +0000 http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6098#comment-29379 Beautiful. thank you so much for sharing this. Indeed, an unexpected message, but it resonates here! I receive "daily kabbalah" messages in my email. Usually I don't really read them, but today's message said to instead of focusing on what's wrong, see what's right in others. So many people who talk openly about spirituality, I feel can be haughty, but I think that true spirituality is just as you have shown, part of every day life, humble and practical. Beautiful. thank you so much for sharing this.
Indeed, an unexpected message, but it resonates here!
I receive “daily kabbalah” messages in my email. Usually I don’t really read them, but today’s message said to instead of focusing on what’s wrong, see what’s right in others.
So many people who talk openly about spirituality, I feel can be haughty, but I think that true spirituality is just as you have shown, part of every day life, humble and practical.

]]> Comment on Sunday’s Pop Up by Richard Scruggs http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6569&cpage=1#comment-29008 Richard Scruggs Wed, 18 Aug 2010 04:31:09 +0000 http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6569#comment-29008 I was there for "breakfast" at around noon. The Foss Hog and donuts were excellent. I left stuffed. Then I came back at about 2:30 and forced fed a couple of the meatyballs. Also excellent! Totally worth the uncomfortable feeling for the next hour... I was there for “breakfast” at around noon. The Foss Hog and donuts were excellent. I left stuffed. Then I came back at about 2:30 and forced fed a couple of the meatyballs. Also excellent! Totally worth the uncomfortable feeling for the next hour…

]]> Comment on Pop Up 1 by Phillip Foss Leaving Lockwood | Things to do in Chicago http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6479&cpage=1#comment-28935 Phillip Foss Leaving Lockwood | Things to do in Chicago Tue, 17 Aug 2010 02:56:57 +0000 http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6479#comment-28935 [...] think this is the last you’ll be hearing of the toque though – he and his wife Kenni have trucks and pop-up’s coming right [...] [...] think this is the last you’ll be hearing of the toque though – he and his wife Kenni have trucks and pop-up’s coming right [...]

]]> Comment on Leaps of Faith by Nick McCormick http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6552&cpage=1#comment-28931 Nick McCormick Tue, 17 Aug 2010 01:34:35 +0000 http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6552#comment-28931 Congratulations to you and your wife Phillip, and thank you for being an inspiration. I am looking forward to hearing more, and sampling some of your new items. Congratulations to you and your wife Phillip, and thank you for being an inspiration. I am looking forward to hearing more, and sampling some of your new items.

]]> Comment on Sunday’s Pop Up by chadzilla http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6569&cpage=1#comment-28914 chadzilla Mon, 16 Aug 2010 19:06:51 +0000 http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6569#comment-28914 Chef Foss, it was great talking to you last week, and I know that some amazing things will come from you and Kenni. Thank you for giving me some sublime inspiration with finding the will to accomplish my goals. You are one hundred percent hitting the fucking nail on the head right now, so just keep hammering!!! Chef Foss, it was great talking to you last week, and I know that some amazing things will come from you and Kenni. Thank you for giving me some sublime inspiration with finding the will to accomplish my goals. You are one hundred percent hitting the fucking nail on the head right now, so just keep hammering!!!

]]> Comment on Pop Up 1 by Phillip Foss Leaving Lockwood - Chicago Restaurant Buzz - Zagat http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6479&cpage=1#comment-28910 Phillip Foss Leaving Lockwood - Chicago Restaurant Buzz - Zagat Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:32:21 +0000 http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6479#comment-28910 [...] think this is the last you’ll be hearing of the toque though – he and his wife Kenni have trucks and pop-up’s coming right along. // Share and [...] [...] think this is the last you’ll be hearing of the toque though – he and his wife Kenni have trucks and pop-up’s coming right along. // Share and [...]

]]> Comment on Leaps of Faith by Roderick Hilliard http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6552&cpage=1#comment-28867 Roderick Hilliard Mon, 16 Aug 2010 01:33:01 +0000 http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6552#comment-28867 Its saddens me to read the news of your departure from Lockwood. I sincerely love the food photography that you have posted on this site, your commentary on culinary scene here in Chicago and nationally, and I really just enjoy your outlook on everything "food". You will be sorely missed here in Chicago and wherever you decide to go, I wish you the best in everything. Its saddens me to read the news of your departure from Lockwood. I sincerely love the food photography that you have posted on this site, your commentary on culinary scene here in Chicago and nationally, and I really just enjoy your outlook on everything “food”. You will be sorely missed here in Chicago and wherever you decide to go, I wish you the best in everything.

]]> Comment on Leaps of Faith by Bella http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6552&cpage=1#comment-28847 Bella Sun, 15 Aug 2010 17:11:54 +0000 http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6552#comment-28847 I'm sure that whatever happened was for a reason, bleh, bleh...insert encouraging words here- But really, anyone who has followed your blog knows that you're far too edgy to be held down by "the man". I say good riddance. I’m sure that whatever happened was for a reason, bleh, bleh…insert encouraging words here-

But really, anyone who has followed your blog knows that you’re far too edgy to be held down by “the man”.

I say good riddance.

]]> Comment on Leaps of Faith by Jonathan http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6552&cpage=1#comment-28714 Jonathan Sat, 14 Aug 2010 12:52:48 +0000 http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6552#comment-28714 Good luck. Sounds like the right choice for you and your family. PS. You can always come back to Milwaukee, we already have food trucks here. Good luck. Sounds like the right choice for you and your family.

PS. You can always come back to Milwaukee, we already have food trucks here.

]]> Comment on Pop Up 1 by UPDATE: Foss Family Restaurant Popping Up at Gaztro-Wagon on Sunday | chicago.rssible.com http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6479&cpage=1#comment-28680 UPDATE: Foss Family Restaurant Popping Up at Gaztro-Wagon on Sunday | chicago.rssible.com Fri, 13 Aug 2010 23:04:35 +0000 http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6479#comment-28680 [...] Sunday, mobile restaurateur Matt Maroni cedes his kitchen to Lockwood’s Phillip Foss, another chef who dreams of food trucks. For one day only, Foss [...] [...] Sunday, mobile restaurateur Matt Maroni cedes his kitchen to Lockwood’s Phillip Foss, another chef who dreams of food trucks. For one day only, Foss [...]

]]> Comment on Pop Up 1 by Foss Family Restaurant Popping Up at Gaztro-Wagon on Sunday | chicago.rssible.com http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6479&cpage=1#comment-28676 Foss Family Restaurant Popping Up at Gaztro-Wagon on Sunday | chicago.rssible.com Fri, 13 Aug 2010 19:34:26 +0000 http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6479#comment-28676 [...] Sunday, mobile restaurateur Matt Maroni cedes his kitchen to Lockwood’s Phillip Foss, another chef who dreams of food trucks. For one day only, Foss [...] [...] Sunday, mobile restaurateur Matt Maroni cedes his kitchen to Lockwood’s Phillip Foss, another chef who dreams of food trucks. For one day only, Foss [...]

]]> Comment on The Speakeasy Throwback in Review – Round One by Adam Seger http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6387&cpage=1#comment-28578 Adam Seger Thu, 12 Aug 2010 05:13:18 +0000 http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6387#comment-28578 Kick ass debut of Chicago's Spirit Locavore movement! Kick ass debut of Chicago’s Spirit Locavore movement!

]]> Comment on The Speakeasy Throwback in Review – Round One by Olika http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6387&cpage=1#comment-28536 Olika Wed, 11 Aug 2010 13:47:38 +0000 http://thepickledtongue.com/?p=6387#comment-28536 Bravo Monsieur Foss! We clearly missed an excellent event! Bravo Monsieur Foss! We clearly missed an excellent event!

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