#BigGreenEgg

I know this must be hard for some to hear but I have to say to it again...I love my #BigGreenEgg .  Since we added an egg to our line of cooking apparatus may years ago there has not been anything I can find that the egg does not cook to perfection.  Everything from baked breads, casseroles, desserts and of course the smoking and roasting options.  Normal smokers are great and I of course have and use a traditional barrel smoker for larger jobs or events.  Truth be told I would much rather cook on my egg any day.  You can't beat the quality and efficiency of the #BGE.  Another amazing feature is how I can adjust my heat with immediate results.  Even after I use the #BGE for a long and slow cook she has useable fuel left to snuff and relight for the next cook!  There is always fuel left so I clean out the #ashtrash and salvage some bits to light up for my next coal bed.

#cornbread #BigGreenEgg #ChefThomasMattson

#smokedsausage #BigGreenEgg #ChefThomasMattson

Do What?

Silly how people get angry when the truth comes out, isn't it?  Go ahead and hide behind your false sense of comfort and continue thinking you are the only people on the planet.  Funny really, these people are the lowest of the low and have serious issues with reality setting in.  Fools.  Read a book of philosophy and relax.  Ponder about the 'almost' perfect family you think you have created under false pretense on a foundation of false truths.  No-one is perfect to say the least but those who think they are really get me laughing.  In all honesty you are a problem that your community will reject sooner than later despite the seemingly 'supportive' circles you think you roll in.  Guess What?  I know your secrets because your 'friends' did nothing but prepare me to deal with your shady, ignorant and ridiculous false sense of reality that accompanies your erratic behavior.  Yes, your friends!  Seriously...learn to realize that you are not as smart as you think.  If your goals include P&L's that make no sense, loss of capital through botched labor coordination and sub-par food then y'all are doing great.  Here in the real 'social' world the goal is not to screw people over for your personal gain.  Tips for creating a productive environment in a culinary setting include but are not limited to: minimal amounts of jailhouse 'swastika' tats, dope fiends, thieves, liars and other forms of low-life.  Slander is spoken and Libel is written.  Also, evidence exists that you might not want released to your contemporaries.  At the end of the day we all make mistakes but how we deal with those mistakes is what will fortify or dissolve our character.  There is plenty of time to come to the light or you might choose to continue into darkness.  I would however advise against petty comments and empty threats when dealing with emotional content but unfortunately some will not be able to help themselves.

Sevice Industry Woe$

Now I completely understand the arguments people make against large companies that do not pay their employees what they are worth.  If I am being honest it seems as if this prevailing trend that has not nor will it go away and will continue to sour the workforce.  Many articles and exposes have been brought to light regarding hourly wages with little to no increase in holiday pay.  If anyone has ever worked in a restaurant or any other type of service industry (regardless of size of establishment) they are well aware of low wages with horrible hours and little to no respect for the work being done.  Sound Familiar?  It should since this is the exact argument that is shredding headlines in regards to retail employees.  As far as I am concerned I agree with ALL of the outcries surrounding low wages and nil respect.  For almost twenty years I have trudged my way through the thick of it to make head room as a culinary professional.  Not one single tasting or consultation goes by without someone wanting something cheaper, discounted someway or all out free.  How is this Ok?  Does one walk into an eatery and haggle with the servers over the price they will pay for food or drinks?  This is not the auto industry where the price is already outrageous in hopes to snag a sucker or if all else fails its a good starting point in the clouds so when they 'take the price down' its actually in the realm of sanity and not gouging your pockets.  If you want sub standard service with terrible food I invite you to haggle and find the cheapest culinary professional to fulfill your order.  When did food service ninjas, musicians and artists become the scourge of the workforce?  I love what I do but find it humorous the way people cry about wages of seemingly specialized jobs.  If it looks, sounds and acts like a snake you have no recourse when it bites you in the face.  Homework for the week is go to craigslist really fast and search the FOOD/Hospitality job listings.  You will find more often than not requirements like 'Must be available days, nights, weekends and holidays'.  #WTF?  Shall I just sign on the dotted line to become your indentured servant?  How many professions require day, night, weekend and holiday availability with an hourly wage that will make you laugh?  There are exceptions such as titled positions and management but for the most part we are speaking about the hourly people that just want to go to work, make some money and go home.  For the most part these people are willing and able.  Most just want to find a stable job with acceptable levels of stress and outputs.  I challenge anyone to work a single shift on a busy Kitchen Line and think about the amount of sweat and time you have to drop to make a buck.  #BigTomFoods #ThomasMattson #DallasPorkMafia

#Education

Expenses that are linked to education whether it be grade school or some form of higher education have really made a move towards highway robbery.  If I am not mistaken don't our property tax dollars (in some part) go to strengthen our schools?  When did it become OK for a public school district to rate in the lowest possible position?  My child goes to private school not because I have anything against a public education but for the simple fact that quality is nowhere near what it should be.  These are the new leaders and participants in the future of this civilization.  Not to sound like an apocalyptic movie plot but what happens if current levels of ignorance win and beat out the educated populous?  This is not acceptable and I will not be responsible for raising an idiot taught by other idiots.  Some of these monsters consider themselves 'teachers' despite their direct involvement if not total responsibility for the unacceptable level of education being served up.  Let be clear by stating that there are honest good natured teachers that will inevitably get swallowed into these meat grinders that call themselves public schools.  Is it not a requirement for teachers to be educated and then certified by the state of Texas?  No names need be mentioned but the public schools here in Rockport are atrocious and earn themselves ratings of 2 on a 10 point scale.  Appalling to think that there is no subsequent punishment for a teacher that churns out complete zombies that know little to nothing of what the previous school year aimed to teach them.  Good luck to all that brave the detrimental outcome of these no brain establishments.  Good luck to that child who has immense potential but little opportunity to excel or be part of a challenging yet fulfilling environment.  Good luck to the Moms and Dads who spend more money on their houses and vehicles than their child's education.  Despite continuing out-of-pocket cost to me and my family we persist in providing the best possible learning experience that will form a strong foundation to a well rounded person.

Flying Syringes

Weather is starting to let up a bit down here but the days still have potential to heat up.  How can it be so humid?  Mosquito's love humidity and I hate it so why am I hanging with these little blood suckers so much?  This seems to be the creation site for that specie of insect.  Off is too chemical for me and my family, the garlic extracts seem to work for a certain cross section of these pests but the fighters that remain are the around'the'clock suckers.  Those big long legged buzzers that fatten themselves on blood seem to be ultra resilient to sprays and treatments.  So gross and terribly annoying.  Swarms of these things will sense body heat, smell out human pheromones or other means of tracking to stick their faces through our skin and help themselves to a drink.  Gotta find a way to keep them in check that wont hurt the other insect populations which we want to thrive.  When I think back to how much I used to be annoyed by 'squitors when we were in north Texas it makes me laugh and realize that NOW is time of the mosquito, not then.  Dallas, I do apologize for the cursing on behalf of the mosquitoes.

Plans are made to be broken when opportunity calls!  My family gives me the thumbs up on the #BiG move to the coastal city of #Rockport , Texas.  Some years ago longtime friends introduce me to their neighbors Kenny and Edna Hatfield during a dinner party.  At that time there was no BBQ joint just Kenny and his flooring company outside of which he BBQ's various foods for friends, family and anyone who stops by and has done so for many years.  Kenny Hatfield is genuine and he approaches people as if they are old friends.  No strangers in his opinion, just friends he hasn't met.  Sometimes negativity gives way to bigger and brighter pastures.  Such as the recent events forcing Kenny, Edna and #BiGNasty (Pit) to part from their old location to a huge stand alone building with enough space and growth potential even for Kenny's grand thinking.  Many close friends and associates are helping them create a warm inviting atmosphere that will house the delicious BBQ and foodstuffs that the #RealHatfields are known for.  As previously mentioned the new large building/site that Hatfiled's will call home has room for food lovers, music lovers and families of all sizes.  Yes, music will be a big part of the new restaurant along with pet friendly areas and lots of space for families to relax and enjoy their food.  Many surprises around the corner as the Original Hatfield's BBQ moves on with their appointed task of giving people the best BBQ and service around.  Seafood, Steak and other surprises are coming soon as well...

Here come the 100 degree Texas summer days.  They have been waiting quietly and patiently.  People are getting comfortable in the false notion that this summer of 2013 will be one that does not aim to burn and destroy the landscape along with our patience.  Forecast for later this week includes that looming triple digit temperature that sits on our horizon 'weather' we like it or not.  Currently the foliage outside is enjoying a good amount of moisture form rains and humidity while the ambient temperature lacks the hellacious potentials to crisp and fry leaves on plants and trees.  Sprinklers are set accordingly and hopefully the lawn wont suffer too much as we inch into the hottest part of the year in North Texas. #BigTomFoods #ThomasMattson