Organized by the most extraordinary young hostess in Boulder, Chef Brian Long and Sommelier Ari Kara welcomed 12 of us into the kitchen at
L’Atelier for “Sunday School” last week. Brian told us, “welcome to our kitchen, because today it is
ours”. And it did feel like ours. We had the chance to explore the kitchen, select our own ingredients and get elbow deep in new techniques.
L’Atelier is one of the most refined restaurants in Boulder and a consistent favorite of mine since it first opened back in 2003. It is a tribute to the true enjoyment of life. The wine, thanks to Ari, is always impeccably matched to food that really does speak for itself. L’Atelier is a place where perfection and beauty are never rushed and my experiences there always remind that this is what being gorgeous is about, stepping back, slowly down and living in the moment.
This was the Sunday of a lifetime. Over the course of six hours we tasted, chopped, stirred, simmered and bantered. Brian told us that cooking is an art. It’s not about measuring properly, or really even about measuring at all. It is about feeling what to use, finding the most fresh, delicious ingredients available, trusting one’s self and just going for it. This was just what I needed to hear. In the kitchen as in many places in my life I tend to over-think everything. Did I get exactly what the recipe recommended? What if there was no fresh mint? Would I ruin what otherwise might have been a gourmet meal? Every ounce, teaspoon and even dash is perfectly measured because it would never do to embarrass myself with an over seasoned or dry dish.
Brian made it clear that being a chef, professional or otherwise is not about following the recipe perfectly. It’s not about perfection at all. It is only about excellence. It is about the feeling in the food. It is about the love and energy put into preparing something that I enjoy for people that I care about.
I had the most amazing conversation yesterday about the power of food with Rachael, one of the authors of
Sweet Pea and Punkin Seed, my favorite food blog to date. Food brings us together, it gives us traditions. This is what I love about food and what I love about cooking. And this is the essence of our day at L’Atelier. Love, feeling, friendship and the gorgeousness of each moment we spend in the kitchen.
