Speak Up

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

The Food Boss

I've heard from other chefswives and non chefswives alike that sometimes their significant other can be a bit of a food boss. What's a food boss? It's exactly what it sounds like. Someone who tells, or "politely encourages" you what to order, buy, cook, and eat. ARG- it's beyond annoying.

I only came to realize that Erik is a food boss. But it started about 5 years ago when we got married. Erik and I have always gone grocery shopping together. I don't know why it started that way, but now it's one of our weekend traditions and I really enjoy it. Anyhow, the food boss in him kicks in right away around the produce. I get a craving for asparagus and suggest a bunch to make with some hollandndaise. STOMP. That idea is quickly squashed by the boss who kindly reminds me that asparagus is out of season in November. AGH. On the one hand, I'm happy to have a chef around who is able to act as my own personal farmer's Almanac. But on the other hand, ignorance is bliss, or in this case, satisfaction and a full tummy. I'd rather buy produce in season. It's better tasting and better for the environment. But sometimes I want an apple in April!

I'm not going to lie. I LOVE Sam's Club and Costco. And a big part of that love comes from the terribly delicious food they serve ready to eat. Pizza, churros, icees, Italian sausage, and hot dogs. I'm salivating just thinking about it. Well the other day Erik asked me if I wanted anything else to eat. I asked for a soft pretzel. We had never got one from there before and I wanted to try one. I'm willing to risk the 97 cent loss to try one. He looked at me and said, "really? They don't look good"  How good can a pretzel look anyways? It's a hunk of dough and salt? I love my husband, he bought me a pretzel and it was warm, tasty, and just what I wanted.

Does anyone else have a food boss in their life? A boyfriend who discourages you from ordering the salmon because the restaurant is known for its burgers? A friend who reminds you how fatty that butter soaked shrimp is. A mother in law who coldly questions your choice of side dish for the pot luck?

YOU are the boss of your own food destiny.

Food is Love,
Hilary

12 comments:

Alyssa said...

Yes to all of it. I purchase the wrong items at the wrong places (at terrible prices!), and I then proceed to store it incorrectly until I prepare it in an unsuitable manner. It's a wonder I've managed to survive as long as I have!

Our last blowout fight was over the cat food I purchased at the recommendation of the vet. The Food Boss is expanding his franchise, it seems.

Unknown said...

Oh yes, I have a Food Boss as well. He mostly reminds me that Caprese and bruschetta are only appropriate in the summer. And it's true -- the tomatoes are at their best, but a pasta lover such as myself can't go all winter without a little tomato basil spaghettini.

Food Boss eats Jack in the Box and other fast food more often than me, though, so maybe he's not that much of a boss. But an almanac, yes.

p.s. Whole Foods has the BEST pretzels!

Lady Leo said...

Food Boss?! To say the least! I love my Chef, I do, but I'd be lying if I didn't know exactly what you're talking about.

- Angie L. - Wife, Mama, Doula
www.doulaville.com/blog

Anonymous said...

I am reminded of a time that we were visiting an outlet mall and stopped across the street to eat at one of the local Ma and Pop shops to grab a bite to eat. ChefDaddy scoped out the place, noted that they only had one guy working the entire kitchen and knew what he would and would not order. I was told to order chicken, because he would have to cook it fresh, unlike the roast beef and mashed potatoes, which were most likely 1)old, and 2)not real mashed potatoes. He was right, of course, but just once I'd like to sit and look at a menu and decide what to eat based on only my own cravings.

stealthmexican said...

after being married to my chef for 20 years (we married young, I swear!), I don't even TRY to go through the fast-food lane. There's pretty much an unwritten list of where we can eat (In-n-out=yes, McDonalds's=NO) and what we'll eat (made from scratch=yes, Chips Ahoy=yuck!). I don't think he's bossy as much as he's just converted me to his way of thinking. At home I can pretty much do what I want, because he's rarely around-especially this month!

Chefwife said...

My chef doesn't encourage what I eat...he just HOVERS when he is home and I cook. I HATE that. I cook in my time. If I want to take 5 minutes to slice a shallot and savor a glass of wine, then that is what I will do. Don't hover over me like I am one of your line cooks, dammit!

Lizzy said...

My boyfriend is totally a food boss haha but I love it! Some of the things he tells me or suggest I'll think about and then kinda agree hahaha...what drives me crazy though is my boyfriend feels the need I need to try everthing he eats haha I'll be perfectly content with my food and then the next thing I know I'm being given a fork full of his meal haha and he tells me try this and I'll be like no no I'm fine and he'll be like no really try this bam the fork is in my mouth and I"m trying his food hahaha it drives me nuts!

Anonymous said...

Yes! "Did you know _________is boil in the bag." I can't buy seafood anywhere because apparently the quality is compromised. I've been in this for a while now since 1996 and I did get used to it. I'm the boss when it counts. :)

Erin
South Florida

Tiger Lily said...

To last commentator: Too Funny!! I always tease my husband how sous vide is "boil in bag"!!!
Mine is not bossy, and only sometimes throws out a snob card. He eats the kids leftover frozen pizza with no complaint and LOVES the dinners I make...We ate fried chicken from the grocery store in front of TV last night and loved it!
I think it's important to remember they care and try to impress us with their knowledge and skill...give it to 'em! Never let go of what you're good at and know about and you won't care when they throw around their ego!

frustrated. said...

I'm an avid reader of this blog but haven't commented until now. This post stood out in my mind and I needed to come comment-- why? I decided to prepare a Sunday roast today, mostly because my chef was away for the day (unemployed at the moment but spending the day working for a friend). I got home and the roast was cooking in the oven, and all of a sudden it was "would you like a tip?"... stupid me, i said sure- and he basically rattled off how i did everything wrong and how to do everything right.....I didn't know I was preparing a perfect pot roast (it is actually my first time). I know it might not be culinarily correct, but let me learn DAMNIT!

i love to cook, and i'm secretly wishing he would go back to having a job so i could cook on my own time without someone over my shoulder. it makes me feel inferior, and lessens my love of cooking.

Anonymous said...

Funny enough, I just blogged about that recently. I haven't come here in a while. Been secretly viewing and feeling a part of the collective that only we understand.

Hope all is well.

Blessings,
Kari

lorna vanderhaeghe said...

Choose nutritious foods whenever available to be healthy.