At 25 years old, I was a cook who knew everything about life and running a kitchen. Two decades later, I realize how little that kid really knew. For starters, when I started cooking professionally I knew very little about business. ‘Business’ wasn’t a course taught in culinary school. Seriously. Perhaps that sheds some light…
Chef Jordan Wagman's Clean (Your) Soul Food Blog
I am inspired
I am inspired by everything around me, especially by what I read on social media. Last week, my friend Alison posted the following on the first day of school; “we need to care less about whether our children are academically gifted and more about whether they sit with the lonely kid in the cafeteria”. I…
Summer Lovin’
Summer is my favorite season. The produce is spectacular, the kids are at camp enjoying life and the sun keeps shining, which is incredible for my Psoriasis. And this summer has been amazing. I’ve heard my kids talk about how quickly the summer has passed, but for me, this summer feels like it’s lasted forever….
Reach for the Stars!
There’s a story I tell in every cooking class about the time I met a man that gave me my first dream job. It happened in the early 2000’s but I remember it as if it were yesterday. It was a Friday evening at “Pascal”, one of the top French restaurants in Southern California. Jim…
‘Just do it’
Today is Thursday but this blog will be published the following Tuesday. I don’t usually wait this long to begin writing, but this week’s topic is worthy of extra consideration. I weighed the pros and cons, went back and forth, and now finally I’ve decided to move forward. Mainly because my life is an open…
The Holy Land
I often speak of my love for canoe tripping, camping, and being in the outdoors. I also love sitting under the sky to gaze at the stars, if I can stay up late enough! In northern Ontario, the stars don’t really come out until 11:00 pm and well, sometimes its just not that easy to…
‘Gramma’s Apple Pie’
My grandmother never once made apple pie, but I’m sure everyone has a family recipe they hold close to their heart – am I right? Like something a certain loved one brings to every holiday that’s been passed down through generations. For me, it’s been these family recipes that speak best to our family traditions….
Road Trip
This year, Tamar and I decided that we would spend our vacation dollars here, in Canada. We love traveling and have taken some incredible trips over the years, but we really haven’t explored our own backyard. Canada is a stunning place, yet I know very little about it. So, a few weeks ago Tamar and…
New York State of Mind
I love the music of Billy Joel. I love cranking the volume up to high and singing like I’m on stage, even when I’m alone in the car. Yep. I’m that guy. The one you see singing his heart out at a red light! Laughable? Perhaps, but I’ll tell you the truth, I don’t care!…
My Unsung Heroes
I often write about my love of all things summer camp, and how the friends I made during those camp years have affected my life. My camp friends have no hidden agendas or expectations, except that of my unwavering friendship. We have an incredible bond and they truly are, my best friends. Even today, Kacey…