Beets? For real??

So anyone who knows me well knows there are two things I don't care to eat - beets and raw oysters. If a Greek salad gets delivered and they accidentally put on beets, back to the kitchen it goes. And if they dare try to take off the beets and bring the salad back with red juice on the feta cheese, back to the kitchen it goes. Recently, I was teased by a waiter who brought me roasted beet and goat cheese salad without the beets, as ordered. "Here's your beet salad without the beets" he said with a smile. I can't help it. I just don't like beets. I haven't liked them since I was a little girl. Regardless of the myriad ways my sister Phyllis has made them over the intervening years, the mere thought of them makes me shiver. Until last week....

We had a snow day last week and the campus and restaurants were closing at 12 noon. Of course the morning students had already been cooking since early and the American Bounty restaurant, second only to Escoffier for fine dining on campus, had lots of cancellations of course. An email was sent to Department Heads inviting us to make a reservation and come down for a complimentary lunch, so the students would have an adequate educational experience. Now, do you think they had to ask me twice?! I tried to find a colleague to accompany me, but many hadn't even come in that day (they don't know how to drive in snow, but that's another story), or they wanted to get on the road early to get home before the big snow. (The big storm that wasn't....)

No big deal, I'm used to eating alone, so down I went. We were to order three courses, so I perused the menu looking for things without dairy and minimal gluten. I've discovered goat cheese is tolerable to my system so I'm always on the lookout for that because I so miss my cheese. First course, mussells. Absolutely fabulous - cooked perfectly, lovely broth. Second course, oh oh. There's that roasted beet and goat cheese salad again, with arugula and blood oranges. Well, I can flick the beets off right? I don't like to give the students special instructions as I know they're working to a very specific recipe so I figured I could alter the dish after I received it and no one would be the wiser.

Well, I was absolutely delighted with the presentation of the "salad" but it didn't look like anything I've had before. I couldn't figure out where the beets were, as all I could see were four little one inch square napoleans sitting atop little mounds of arugula with blood orange slices between the stacks and a crushed pistachio and chive oil drizzle around the edge of the plate, an oblong affair that was perfectly suited to the dish. So where were the beets? Turns out those little napoleans were perfectly sliced roasted beets - but not the red variety, they were golden, and the goat cheese was herbed and put between the layers. Couldn't very well flick the beets away.... So, I took a bite, and oh my goodness, it was wonderful. A little bite of the arugula dressed perfectly, a little bite of blood orange dipped in the pistachios and chive oil. Goodness gracious, I liked it! Good thing I have good manners or I would have been licking that plate. Third course, cioppino - fish stew. Fabulous. But I knew I'd be dreaming about that salad. How could that be??

Yesterday, I was walking around downtown Rhinebeck, my new home town (but that's another story?) and happened upon an interesting looking restaurant. Ready for a break and armed with plenty of reading material about the surrounding area and goings on, I sat down and started perusing the menu. So there again we have roasted beets and goat cheese, this time in a risotto. Dare I try it? Dare I push my luck with beets? What the heck! Why not!! I ordered a glass of sauvignon blanc and waited for the surprise. My heart sunk when I saw the pink in the risotto. I wondered if this was going to be that old familiar flavor that I'd come to hate. So I gingerly took a small bite, with no beet cube in it and the flavor was quite good. Ok, I thought, time to taste the beets. Not bad, got a bit of pancetta with it. It wasn't too strong. Took another bite of risotto with a few beet cubes. OK, let's not get carried away. Let's just eat mostly risotto and a few beet cubes but leave most of them behind. So I probably ate half of what was on the plate. Honestly, I enjoyed the dish. Am I going to start ordering beets every time I see them on the menu? No, but if they're fresh roasted I just might.

Now, can anyone tell me why the beets in the salad were golden and not red?? Well, I guess it's down to raw oysters now. As if it wasn't hard enough watching my weight, now I'm only down to one thing I don't like to eat. Darn. :-)

Ciao for now!

House-hunting and dating, Part 3: Head vs. Heart

On Saturday, I fell in love with a beautiful Victorian flat in Newburgh, New York that was renovated and decorated by a genius. Every little detail was perfect - lighting fixtures, ceiling medallions, hard wood floors, gorgeous cabinetry, etc. I could picture my things perfectly in it, and could imagine a thoroughly delightful life within the confines of my walls and the secret garden in the back yard. It was truly a romantic vision.

Unfortunately, Newburgh has a lot of unsafe, poor, ugly neighborhoods and while this house is on a nice block, it's surrounded by other not nice blocks. I drove around for an hour trying to convince myself that it wasn't so bad. There was no garage though, so I knew I'd have to park on the street, and it was near the high school. It was fairly close to the water front where new shops and restaurants were located and they seemed nice. It was close to the entrance to the freeway that leads to work. It's very close to one of the airports I fly in and out of to come home. I went back to the hotel sure I could find a way to make it work.

I tossed and turned all night and woke up at 4 a.m. unable to sleep. My heart was telling me the place was wonderful, beautiful, perfect for me, and that I belonged there and the other things didn't matter. My head, however, kept imagining the looks on my sisters' faces as I drove them around the neighborhood. I wasn't getting any good vibes from hotel staff or co-workers to whom I'd mentioned the neighborhood. My boss said, "I don't want you living in Newburgh." Kind of like a father would say....

The reality is, I have also found a perfectly serviceable condo in Rhinebeck, in a great neighborhood, walking distance (a safe walk) into town. It is ordinary, mundane, pedestrian (but it has an attached garage and a washer and dryer). It is definitely NOT sexy or gorgeous, but I know it would serve my needs. So I can keep thinking I'm putting lipstick on a pig, or I can find the beauty in a clean, simple, warm, spacious home (even if it has baby blue carpeting with big stains right in the middle of the floor). Good excuse to buy an area rug for the living room? Even if the guest room has pink walls, pink carpet, and pink window shades. Maybe it's raspberry - what color might tone that down?? Even if I now have to deal with the old folks in the Condo Association (there are 3 people in the complex who are over 100) who will let you plant annuals but not perennials without permission. Oh, no. Not again. I have to ask for permission to plant flowers?? Perhaps I'll just stick to pots and hanging baskets - save money that way?? Nice view off the deck - no other houses in sight, just trees, good light.

Maybe I could come to love it. Or not. After all, we're not getting married, I'm just renting. Oh, oh. Mixed metaphors, sorry. Maybe it's OK to date without getting married. Haven't tried that in a LONG time. Maybe they're not so different for me. Maybe I have lots to learn this year, about seeing what's real and not what I imagine. About letting things be and going with the flow. About accepting what is and not wanting what is not. This might actually be good practice before I start dating for real, since I put that one out to the Universe as well. Maybe this is the gift of practice I need, or not. Smile. It's all good.

House-hunting and dating, Part 2

I've been jilted! I thought I'd found the perfect place - I could imagine all my things fitting comfortably, in a nice neighborhood with a garden and a creek running through the backyard. New appliances, hardwood floors, etc., etc. Somehow the Real Estate agent failed to communicate my interest to the owner and the next thing I knew, it was gone! Snooze, you loose? She who hesitates is lost? You don't know what you've got til it's gone? Sigh.

OK. I'm supposed to have this intention thing down pat, so what happened? Was I unclear in my intentions? Was I holding out, thinking something better was around the corner? Did I blink?

Of course, the Universe weighed in this morning and reminded me what I needed to do:

"Think that it's fun, Vincenza, that you're guided, and that all is well; that there's time, that life is easy, and that the best is yet to come.

Think that the reasons that elude you will one day catch up, that the lessons that have stumped you will one day bring joy, and that the sorrows that have crippled you will soon give you wings.

Think that you're important, that you cannot fail, and that happiness always returns.

And think that you're beautiful, Vincenza. I do. --The Universe"

Gotta love that Universe! So I sat down and wrote out my intention for my new home. Here it is (although I must admit, it resembles the list I made for the ideal mate and that one made my brother-in-law Don Z. exclaim that it was impossible to find all that in one person - but that's another story):

I envision and put my intenion on the perfect house for me. My house is in a great neighborhood where I can enjoy my neighbors and my surroundings. There is plenty of room for my furniture and space for family and friends to visit. The kitchen is large enough to enjoy cooking and has nice appliances and counter space. There is a washer and dryer, or space for them, for my laundry in my house. There is a garden that I can care for and enhance. There is storage space for things I don't need to use right now. There is a garage to help keep the elements off my car. My house will be a reasonable drive from work and close enough to restaurants, theatres, shopping, and fun things to do in my community. My house will cost the right amount of money to fit my budget. I will feel safe and comfortable in my house and enjoy coming home to it after my work day is over. My landlord is conscientious and friendly but not overbearing. I can make this house my home.

There. That's my intention and I've released it to the Universe. Let's see what happens next!

Q: Why is house-hunting like a blind date?

A: Because you have no idea what you really want, and maybe you'll know it when you see it, and lots of well-meaning people want to fix you up, and you have to keep smiling even though you're horrified when you finally meet, and you have to shake hands and pretend to be interested when in reality you can't wait to GET THE HELL AWAY FROM THERE!

House-hunting euphemisms:
charming = small
quaint = old
starter home = it's going to take a lot of work to fix it up
beautiful view = not much to look at inside
3 bedrooms = 1 bedroom and two large closets
eat-in kitchen = just pull a stool up to the counter, OK?
cute = similar to charming, except for the younger set
great kitchen = counter space, running water, and a few appliances
Must see! = nothing we could write would get your interest
Excellent condition = the owner is pleased with all the enhancements he's made even though they make you want to gag
Rent with option to purchase = we can't sell the damn thing so we might as well rent it out until the market improves (don't get too comfortable in case we get an offer)
range = very old stove
off-street parking = there's no garage but you can park in the driveway, isn't that special?
spacious apartment in former schoolhouse = three college kids can live here and split the rent (now that one was really scary)

I've looked at so many places they're starting to run together. My condo in Michigan could rent here for $1700 easy. Too bad I'm only getting $1000 for it. That limits my options, and the cost of living is so much higher here. I knew it would be but that doesn't make the search any easier. There's absolutely nothing acceptable in my price range, so the price is inching upwards with every visit. That's a trick they use - show you something below your price (eeuuww), at your price (oh, no, is that all I get?) and above your price (maybe it's not too much after all).

Should I rent on this side of the river (Poughkeepsie, Rhinebeck, Hyde Park, Red Hook) or make the trip across the bridge every day (Kingston, New Paltz, Ulster)? Hyde Park, where the CIA is located, is smack in the middle between the Mid-Hudson Bridge and the Kingston-Rhinebeck Bridge. This side of the river it's a 15 to 20-minute drive to work; across the river you have to add another 20 minutes at least. Not to mention, there's a toll to cross the bridge every time.

The worst part is, I hate doing this kind of thing by myself. Normally I'd have 1, 2 or all 3 of my sisters in tow. And if they were busy, there's a couple of lovely friends who'd be more than happy to tag along. I do have three different real estate agents helping me, and I do mean different. Funny how they have their favorite areas - not much overlap, so I guess that's a good thing. Craig's List is another source for rentals and some actually show pictures. (Another similarity to on-line/blind dating - don't click on anyone who's not willing to post a picture and never go see something alone, or at least not without telling someone where you'll be.)

The Residence Inn is looking better every day....

...and they're PAYING me to work here!

On my first day at The Culinary, the President gave his annual State of the Institute address. It was a wonderful recap of the year just completed as well as a view into future plans. There's a 5-year capital improvement plan that includes a 750-seat auditorium, new classroom buildings, new kitchens, new dormitories, and a world-class hotel (Hyatt got the nod on that one). We celebrated service anniversaries and applauded the Faculty Member and Staff Member of the year. A wild slide show with great music accompanied all of it.

Following that, all the employees went to the Student Rec Center where the gym had been transformed into a banquet room with wonderful food stations located all around the edges. For entertainment, a Beatles look-alike band had been engaged to play for an hour after lunch and dancing was encouraged. Lots of fun all around. It felt like they'd thrown a welcome party just for me!

There were no students around and I discovered that every third Monday for most of the year is a "down day." This means that the prior class had commencement exercises the Friday before, and the new class starts on Tuesday. A cohort of 80-100students begins every three weeks. The staff has one day to breath a sigh of relief and get ready to start it all again! Of course, since the programs are a full 2-year or 4-year degree program, there are over 2000 students on campus at any one time. Down days, however, are a break for everyone.


Every day starts with a trip to the dining hall for breakfast. I'm trying to stick to my fruit only plan, but occasionally the oatmeal is just too tempting - so rich and creamy. Lunch is a crap shoot, but in a very nice way. I take a tour of the different kitchens to see what's cooking and then go stand outside the kitchen that has what I want. They swipe my staff ID card and hand me tray filled with wonderful food. Yesterday I had the best swordfish I've ever tasted. There is a window of opportunity though, so if I miss it, I just head over to the salad bar. The students have been practicing their knife skills, so it's fun to see all the beautifully chopped vegetables. Every once in a while, the chef from the baking and pastry program sends out an email that plated desserts are being served - no swipe needed. I'm SO GLAD they're in another building, so the temptation doesn't catch me!

I've met dozens of people and spent hours listening to them describe their roles and their challenges. Of course you know how much I hate doing that, NOT! Everyone has been so kind to me, but more importantly, they really want me here - they want what I have to offer. I suspect there's so much to do I'll have to start prioritizing, but at this point, possibilities seems endless.

The radiator (it's a VERY old building) in my office broke on the first day, so I'd been sitting in a conference room with a borrowed computer. It didn't matter for the first week, since I was visiting other people's offices to meet them. Finally, on Wednesday of this week, I moved back in to my office. It's comfortable but it wants my pictures and decorations. Guess I'll have to wait until my boxes arrive to do that. I do however have a lovely orchid plant courtesy of my friend Joanne. She sent it to arrive on my second day of work - just the touch needed to make it feel like home.

Today was my coming-out party, as Dave, the VP HR, called it. We'd been working on a presentation with recommendations to attack the "communication problem" identified in the annual employee survey. I recommended taking an inventory and doing an assessment of current communication at the Institute-wide level as well as the division and department levels. Once that was done, I felt we could develop a more coherent plan that would get the organization aligned from top to bottom and ensure that nothing was falling through the cracks.

Dave decided I should attend the Cabinet meeting today and assist him with the presentation. I'd also developed an example of what a "key messages" document could look like that would present talking points on important topics that could be used by all leaders in the organization so they were all "singing from the same songbook" as the saying goes. There were a few Cabinet members we'd met with ahead of time to vet the ideas, so we were pretty confident going in. It was well received, and we got the green light to begin the inventory and assessment process. The President was especially impressed with the key messages document (clever me, I'd taken some of his points from the State of the Institute address and expanded on them).

Now some of you may be wondering what this has to do with Training & Development, but a lot of what I do is subtle coaching and providing tools and resources to help leaders do a better job. Not much of what I do actually takes place in a classroom anymore. I've been invited to the quarterly management update meeting (150 leaders) to give a session on "Meetings 101" - to help leaders hold more effective meetings. I'll put together a 2-hour session that gets them talking about best practices and looking at various agenda templates to make sure sufficient planning happens before a meeting takes place. It's actually these little things that begin to move the needle on leader behavior. I LOVE it, and I'm feeling pretty useful already.

On the downside, if it can be seen as that, Dave announced his pending retirement today. He had mentioned to me when he made the job offer that he was considering retirement - thought I ought to know before accepting. He'll probably be here through summer, and he'll be conducting a national search for his replacement in the meantime. I'm disappointed not to be able to work with him. His 30 years at Disney gave him a lot of world-class leadership practices that I was looking forward to learning about. He was The Culinary's first VP level HR guy, so he's laid a lot of groundwork over the past 6 years. They've had a fair amount of employee relations issues lately and I think they're leaning towards a lawyer type, with academic background, who understands hospitality industry. Yeah, good luck with that! I just hope they find someone who gets employee engagement and organization effectiveness. I'd hate to have to break in someone who doesn't get it!

Excitement is building on campus for the Bocuse D'Or, which is being held here on Friday and Saturday. This is the competition to select the US team that will go to France next year for the International competition. It's a really big deal, and top chefs from all over the country are coming to judge, give demonstrations, and sign their books. Free and open to the public - so I hope to get down to the Rec Center to see some of it. I'll be spending the majority of my weekend househunting, but that's another story....

Ciao for now! Bon appetit!!