Friday, December 14, 2012

Following a Culinary Dream: A Chance to Help Sandy Victims

Vol. I, No. 5

Many of you have asked how to help victims of Hurricane Sandy. Here's a chance to do just that, and help someone rebuild his dream. 

Brad McDonald was in college studying business when he realized he didn't want to be studying business. As a kid, he'd wanted to explore the world. He had no idea that he'd one day fulfill his dream to explore by becoming a chef - and experiencing culture through cuisine.

While still in school, Brad changed his major to something a little more creative, and he began cooking. As a matter of fact, he cooked full-time while earning his degree. And we all know a thing or two about doing what you love: when you don't have any time for it, and you make time for it anyway, magic begins to happen.

Eventually, Brad's magic arrived in New York. He began to open restaurants, teaming up with people just as passionate as he is about the exploration of food. Earlier this year, they opened Governor in Dumbo, Brooklyn. And it was the kind of success that gets The New York Times' Pete Wells gushing.

And then Hurricane Sandy hit.

Photo courtesy of Michael Harlan Turkell

Five feet of water in the restaurant destroyed pretty much everything: wood finishing, electronics, kitchen equipment, decor.


Photo courtesy of Michael Harlan Turkell

Brad and his team were devastated, but not without perspective. As Brad has commented in an interview with nonabrooklyn.com, "We don't want to lament our own fate too much without realizing that there are other people out there who have lost far more than we have. We can recover from this."

So, I'd like to propose a toast - to a beautiful attitude, to pursuing a dream, and, for those of us who can, to helping Brad and his team getting back on their feet. In fact, Brad says it best when he talked to me about teamwork: "When others believe in you, it is far more achievable to believe in yourself."

All you dreamers out there, let's help Brad and his team. Here is a link to donate to the rebuilding effort for Governor.

And here is a link to helping One Girl Cookies, Governor's next-door neighbor and home to the best cupcake I've ever, ever eaten. (Why? Crumb you can sink your teeth into, decadent and rich icing.)

Finally, if you're in the neighborhood of Dumbo this weekend, there will be a pop-up fundraiser for Almondine Bakery. Some of New York's finest pastry chefs (Le Bernardin, Bouchon, Boulud)) are rallying in support of Herve Poussot, owner of Almondine and one of my favorite pastry wizards (if you haven't had his blueberry muffin, you haven't lived).

Pop-up fundraiser: Saturday & Sunday, 12/15-12/16, 10am-6pm. At 85 Water St in Dumbo, Brooklyn.

Brad McDonald and his team, photo courtesy of Michael Harlan Turkell

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

bgehc [url=http://www.pickcelinehandbags.com]celine handbags[/url] pmcwnk http://www.pickcelinehandbags.com ovkiw [url=http://www.savecelinehandbags.com]canada handbags[/url] zrvyoz http://www.savecelinehandbags.com ulght [url=http://www.savecelinebags.com]cheap celine bags[/url] pdrdkp http://www.savecelinebags.com qovc [url=http://www.goodcelinebags.com]celine bags[/url] qkdahr http://www.goodcelinebags.com exfru [url=http://www.goodcelinehandbags.com]celine bag[/url] unqeio http://www.goodcelinehandbags.com lnxyu [url=http://www.onlinecelinebags.com]celine bags[/url] leqyut http://www.onlinecelinebags.com qrvy

Anonymous said...

stl [url=http://www.celineluggagetotediscount.com]Celine Bag[/url] mef http://www.celineluggagetotediscount.com flb [url=http://www.celinehandbagsdiscount.com]Celine Handbags[/url] cqz http://www.celinehandbagsdiscount.com kjr [url=http://www.celinebagxiao.com]Celine Bag[/url] szw http://www.celinebagxiao.com gnq [url=http://www.celinehandbagswe.com]Celine Bag[/url] pry http://www.celinehandbagswe.com nnn [url=http://www.drdrebeatsname.com]Beats By Dre[/url] eub http://www.drdrebeatsname.com ubd

Anonymous said...

[url=http://buy-methylprednisolone.webspawner.com/]methylprednisolone brand names
[/url] solu-medrol taper to prednisone
medrol pack reviews
cadista methylprednisolone tablets usp

Anonymous said...

sogkhu http://www.capemaycitypolice.com/louisVuittonHandbags.html ljcwpi http://www.capeMayLinen.com/louisVuittonOutlet.html dfphjm http://www.oceancityseafood.com/louisVuittonOutletb.html krknoz http://maryhelverson.com/nikeairmaxcheap.html lssoil http://capeMayLinen.com/cheapnikeshoes.html uphgpe [url=http://www.capemaycitypolice.com/louisVuittonHandbags.html]louis vuitton bags[/url] elxxu [url=http://www.capeMayLinen.com/louisVuittonOutlet.html]louis vuitton handbags[/url] wjicy [url=http://www.oceancityseafood.com/louisVuittonOutletb.html]louis vuitton outlet[/url] ccwno [url=http://maryhelverson.com/nikeairmaxcheap.html]cheap nike shoes[/url] higusy [url=http://capeMayLinen.com/cheapnikeshoes.html]air max[/url] fnkf

Anonymous said...

xanpii http://www.capemaycitypolice.com/louisVuittonHandbags.html awinyl http://www.capeMayLinen.com/louisVuittonOutlet.html qaklim http://www.oceancityseafood.com/louisVuittonOutletb.html cyzbdl http://maryhelverson.com/nikeairmaxcheap.html uslvec http://capeMayLinen.com/cheapnikeshoes.html mhindv [url=http://www.capemaycitypolice.com/louisVuittonHandbags.html]louis vuitton outlet[/url] apmeu [url=http://www.capeMayLinen.com/louisVuittonOutlet.html]louis vuitton outlet[/url] yuchk [url=http://www.oceancityseafood.com/louisVuittonOutletb.html]louis vuitton bags[/url] urfkx [url=http://maryhelverson.com/nikeairmaxcheap.html]air max[/url] kotyro [url=http://capeMayLinen.com/cheapnikeshoes.html]nike air max[/url] bfpf

Anonymous said...

omppgr http://www.louisvuittonuk-bags.co.uk sulbps [url=http://www.louisvuittonuk-bags.co.uk]louisvuittonuk-bags.co.uk[/url] okrqdd [url=http://www.louisvuittonuk-bags.co.uk]http://www.louisvuittonuk-bags.co.uk[/url] bboqim [url=http://www.louisvuittonuk-bags.co.uk]louis vuitton uk[/url] ppxdfh [url=http://www.louisvuittonuk-bags.co.uk]louis vuitton bags[/url] imtonz [url=http://www.louisvuittonuk-bags.co.uk]louis vuitton outlet[/url] kblake