Week 5 – The Little Black Dress of Cooking

The Little Black Dress of Cooking

When I first talked to Robert about his school, he very aptly described his teachings as an alphabet, a foundation to cooking. I like the word ‘alphabet’, because of the weeks that have passed, I feel like a whole new vocabulary, a methodology, has been imbued upon my classmates and myself. But the word ‘foundation’ makes me think of cement, The Prudential, or wearing boots that are too heavy. Rather, I like to think of Robert’s food as the Little Black Dress of Cooking.

You see, the Little Black Dress is the one article of clothing that transcends time and trends. It has been revisited and refined repeatedly, and will continue to be, just like food. Yet with thousands of interpretations, when you see the Little Black Dress tailored just right, you know. Your eye can feel the fabric, and the exquisite lines of the dress allow the woman to exude an air of seduction, because she knows her dress is it.

Robert’s food is it. There is no question. It is clean and captivating. What I am learning is the classic silhouette of food done right, and done with delicious vibrancy. See, the woman wearing The Little Black Dress of this metaphor also has on heels. And the soles of her heels are bright, bright red – a surprise and a fancy coupled with tradition . . . that has most certainly been improved upon. It is beautiful.

- Blake