Adventures on the Road
Have you ever considered packing up, moving out of the country, and starting over?
We’ve all tossed that idea around like a salad, but I actually went ahead and flipped the skillet! My Crafting A Meal Cookbook, Mediterranean style is inspired by my own culinary adventure of a lifetime. In my mid 30’s, I abruptly left Los Angeles and hit the road in a trusty—and slightly temperamental—1983 VW Vanagon camper van. Picture me cruising through Europe, a culinary wanderer with a map in one hand and a spatula in the other!
For over two years, my daily grind was less about office hours and more about picnic tables dotted along the Mediterranean coast, where I’d feast on oysters fresh from the sea. I sipped robust espresso at tiny Tuscan cafes, savored Ouzo in Greece, and picked currants on the island of Zakynthos while soaking up rich life stories from my friend Kristina’s grandma, affectionately known as ‘Yia-yia’. Oh, and let’s not forget the adventure (or misadventure) of hopping a boat to Morocco to snaga Moroccan rug and an armload of gorgeous ceramic plates. You could say my life was one big recipe for adventure!
So, why am I sharing this savory tale? Two reasons: First, if you’ve ever felt stuck in a saucepot of your own life, know that it takes a bold chef to embrace change. Not everyone can just put everything in storage and whisk away. But guess what? Anything is possible, and we all get to stir our own pots!
My motto? Live Life For The Moment—just like a perfectly timed soufflé.
During my travels, I lived out of a small duffel bag, battling all sorts of weather. Imagine trying to roast chestnuts in the rain-soaked streets of Italy in November or navigating snowy roads in Switzerland with a frozen water tank. I’m not saying my VW didn’t have its fiery moments—let’s just say the engine had a little incident in Bergamo, IT (cue the “fuego fuego!!”), And we spent countless damp rainy days huddled inside, cozy but with no toilet or shower. Let me tell you, that’s a recipe for... well, let’s call it “character building!”
Despite all the challenges, I found solace in the flavors of every town. Each local dish was a warm hug, lovingly prepared by cooks eager to share their culinary pride. After what felt like a never-ending buffet of adventures, I finally landed in Andalucia, Spain, ready to whip up some comfort food in local restaurants. As a sous chef, I earned a mere 235 euros a week (under the table, of course), which helped cover rent, and a special reward at the end of the week: grilled sardines, patatas bravas, and a generous pitcher of Sangria at the local chiringuito on the beach. Talk about a sweet finish.
Looking back, I cherish this adventure more than any fancy dish I’ve ever cooked. Life’s flavor is found in the unexpected ingredients, and I wouldn’t trade my recipe for anything.
As always. Chef Robin