Big Daddy & Cathedral Kitchen

Chef Aaron vistited Cathdral Kitchen in Camden, NJ in October talk to it's Culinary Arts Training (CAT) Program students. The program began earlier this year, and is the second class the program has had.


Chef spent the afternoon teaching the class a little Steak 101, going over such topics as "aged" steaks, how to purchase and price them, the differences between choice and prime, high and low grade meat, and how to trim and prepare them for cooking.

Then Chef Aaron took the students in the kitchen to give them some hands on instruction, and showed them how to prepare his Roast Beef with Bourbon Mushroom Sauce.

After a quick taste test, it was the students turn to show Chef Aaron what they had been working on earlier in the day by showcasing their own steak rubs inspired by spices and flavors from Asian, Carribean, and Latin American countries. After tasting each rub and giving the students tips and ideas on how to improve, Chef got down to business and gave the students a brief intro to Grilling 101.

Chef finished off the day on a high note by encouraging the students to continue to push toward excelling in the program and accomplish their goals. Reminding them to keep God first and then themselves, Chef Aaron told each student that they were not alone and that he as well as the staff at Cathedral Kitchen were committed to seeing each of them succeed.

For more information on Cathedral Kitchen and it's Culinary Arts Training Program, click here,
and to see more pictures, click here.

Links:

Cathedral Kitchen

Chef Aaron's Website

Chef Aaron in Courier Post

(photo courtesy of Faye Murman/Courier Post)

Chef Aaron was featured in this past Sunday's Courier-Post! In the 5 page article, Big Daddy reflected on how his life has changed in the past year but hasn't changed who he is or his passion for people, as well as his aspirations for opening a new restaurant. He also discussed his philanthropic endeavors, most notably the launch of his new charitable foundation Play to Win.

To read the article click here, and don't forget that the Great American Dine Out is going on now thru Saturday, so be sure to get out this week and help eliminate childhood hunger!

Links:

Chef Aaron's Website - www.aaronmccargo.com

Courier Post Online - Chef Aaron's Article

Share Our Strength - www.strength.org

Share Our Strength: Great American Dine Out

No Child Hungry

Beginning Sunday, September 20, 2009, you and I will have a chance to help make a difference in a child's life by participating in Share Our Strength's "Great American Dine Out."

As spokesperson I want to take this moment to encourage restaurants to sign up and register for this event. To register please visit Share Our Strength's website to sign up and participate in this event.

During last year's Dine Out, nearly 4,000 restaurants designated a portion of their sales and hundreds of thousands of people from all over the country dined out to raise over $500,000. This money went to aid programs and iniatives aimed at helping give children better access to food and food-related programs.

This year I believe we can raise even more, so if you're a restaurant manager or owner, register today!

Links:
Share Our Strength - Main
Great American Dine Out

Big Daddy's Summertime Flava

Hey guys I know it's been awhile since I hit you with an update about what's going on in my personal life. It's been a busy summer for me, getting ready for the new season of Big Daddy's House, doing some publicity and media stuff as well as going to some food shows.

Of course you know I've been taking alot of time to spend with my family. Two of the best movies I've seen so far this summer would be Transformers (saw it with my wife) and Ice Age 3(saw it with my kids). I loved the action in Transformers, mostly enjoyed it because it reminded me of my days at Poyne Point Middle(in Camden) and all the great times I had with my boys there. (Speaking of school, I didn't get a chance to make it to my high school reunion, Class of 89, but I heard you guys had a great time. Sorry I couldn't make it, but who knows, I just might show up at the next one.)Ice Age 3 is a definite must see family flick, if you haven't checked it out, definetely take the kids to see it, especially since it's in 3D.

On the other end of the entertainment realm, I've been mixing up music on my ipod. I like all kinds of music, and sometimes that comes as a surprise to most people. Most of you would probably be surprised to know that I listen to George Michael and the Culture Club. Better yet, you know who I've had on heavy rotation lately? Garth Brooks. That's right I said it, you read correctly, Big Daddy listens to some country! If you're from or live in Camden and appreciate some good country music, please send me a comment on Twitter, Facebook, or MySpace, and give me some of your favorite songs. I'm also a Bruce Springsteen and Lenny Kravitz fan, but let me stop, I don't want to shock you too much with my musical diversity. I love to listen to anything with a great beat, especially when I'm in the kitchen, so of course you know I'm a huge ol' skool hip hop fan but when it comes to newer stuff, I've been feeling Jay-Z's "Death of Autotune". And of course I've got to have a gospel song on my playlist-Fred Hammond has been making a comeback, and I'm really liking what he has out right now. If you ever want to have a good idea what I'm listening to from time to time, you can check out my MySpace page, I keep a fresh playlist posted there.

When it comes to food this summer, if you've been watching Best Thing I Ever Ate, you know I love buffalo wings, so here's my challenge to you: what's your favorite wing spot? Send me a message/comment on Twitter, Facebook, or MySpace and give me your number one spot. Now know that if you send me rave reviews on your favorite wing place I might just have to check it for myself, so don't disappoint! Speaking of not disappointing, I went back to Bahama Breeze in Cherry Hill, NJ a couple of weeks ago, and enjoyed the food there. I've been trying to get to Chipotle Mexican Grille, have any of you been there? If so, you know the drill-send me a message and tell me what you ate, what you liked or didn't like about it.

One thing I have enjoyed this summer is going to my church, Living Hope Christian Center, in Pennsauken, NJ. Part of the reason I love going there so much is because of the music. Our choir and band are incredible and listening to them perform really uplifts my spirits. Last week I was able to catch their final performance in a talent competition at the Firehouse Cafe in Mt. Holly, NJ, where they took 2nd runners up. I love being with my church family so I really enjoyed relaxing and getting inspiration from some great local talent. I even ran into some friends of mine, people I haven't caught up with in a few months.

On that note I'm going to go ahead and it with some encouragement. I know some people don't like the fact that I include scriptures or talk about my faith, but it's a part of who I am and why I do what I do. So I just want to encourage others out there who might need some hope, or just some words of comfort to read Psalms 37, remembering that God has good things coming to you. It blessed me when I read it and it helps to motivate and keep me going, so I hope it does the same for you.

Again, be sure to send me feedback and comments, and as always thanks for watching the new season of Big Daddy's House, I appreciate all the love and support you all give me, it means so much. I'm going to Ocean City so when I get back I'll be sure to tell you how it went. I'm looking forward to hearing from you guys, take care and God bless!

Big Daddy's House - Grill it Good

A little rain wasn't going to keep Big Daddy from using the grill this past Sunday. Instead Big Daddy brought the grill indoors and served up some Sweet Pea & Ricotta Cheese Crostini, Grilled Flat Iron Steak with Pistachio-Pesto Butter and Grilled Ham Wrapped Asparagus. He finished by adding a new twist on chocolate ice cream by serving up Chocolate Whiskey Ice Cream.

LINKS:

RECIPE: Sweet Pea Salad & Ricotta Cheese Crostini

RECIPE: Grilled Flat Iron Steak w/ Pistachio Pesto Butter

RECIPE: Grilled Ham Wrapped Asparagus

RECIPE: Chocolate Whiskey Ice Cream

Big Daddy's House - Ultimate Sandwiches

Big Daddy's House Hit DA SPOT with the opening episode of season #3. Chef brought serious flavor back with two ULTIMATE SANDWICHES - DaSpot Sandwich and a Fall-off-the-Bone Short Rib Sandwich topped with a Kicked Up Cole slaw.

LINKS

• RECIPE - Kicked Up Cole Slaw
  
• RECIPE - DaSpot Chicken Sandwich
• RECIPE - Fall-off-the-Bone Short Ribs
• LINK - Big Daddy's House Home Page - Ultimate Sandwiches
  
• LINK - Chef Aaron McCargo Jr's website

Big Daddy dishes on FN Dish

Big Daddy served up some major flavor during an interview with FN Dish. Chef dished on what's in store for the new season (which premiers this Sunday), his thoughts on this season's The Next Food Network Star, and how his life has changed since being in the competition last year. You can read the interview here as well as check it out on Twitter.

And of course be sure to catch the 3rd season of Big Daddy's House this Sunday on Food Network, 1:30 EST.

LINKS:

FN Dish

www.aaronmccargo.com