Restaurant Advice for Richard

Hello #TeamFabio! Welcome back! Did you miss me last week? I missed you!

My deepest condolences go out to the families struggling after the hurricane... I wish there was more that I could do! If you would like to donate to the victims of this horrific natural disaster please think about donating to the American Red Cross here. Any little bit helps!

I have been in New York recently promoting my new cookbook, and I had to take a rain check on some plans because of Sandy. But does this slow down Fabio?! Yes... yes, a little bit it does... While I’m in New York for business, I also try to see some old friends. Maybe I am getting better at mixing business with pleasure. Dean Schaeffer is a great influence on my life... He has been a good friend to me and constantly keeps me in check when my work begins to make my life crazy!

What kind of crazy work?! How about spending 10 and a half days-worth of cell phone time last month?! I know what you are thinking, but this couldn’t possibly have all been because of a beautiful lady I was keeping myself from on my work travels. I just have a lot of things that I juggle in my career from my website blogs, newsletter, Chow Ciao web series and of course Life After Top Chef! Oh my... when I write it down it makes me realize how much it actually is... I promise I am not an Italian robot programmed to cook delicious food all day and enjoy swinging chairs... but just think of all I could accomplish if I didn’t have to sleep. This is something I might ask Dean about. Ha!

After I saw the way that Chef Spike was able to cut loose and enjoy his road trip it made me start thinking that I should be trying to relax more. I am pretty sure that Spike relaxes as much as I work. What I really want to know is... WHO WAS FEEDING TURTLE FABIO?! I did not see anyone feeding Turtle Fabio on the road trip! He better not have gotten into that moonshine because if I know Turtle Fabio he was out late trying to meet a sexy turtle lady.

I bet that you did not know that in addition to turtles I also love horses. I’ve been horseback riding since I was a little kid because my friend had some horses in Italy. Jacopo and I were able to hang out and see some of the beautiful scenery. It was a good time and very relaxing. There is something about the air when you get away from the city -- the nature gives you good energy that you cannot get in the city. 

It looks like Richard Blais and his haircut are having a tough time deciding on a final menu for The Spence. He made a comment that it doesn’t matter what it says on the menu as long as when they are done eating it, they love it... I’m sorry but where is the logic in this?! Why would somebody order it off of a menu when the ingredients do not sound appetizing. You will not even get the chance to have them eat it. Richie, this one time only I am going to give you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, you can hire me as a consultant for your business. The first tip is free: your customers do NOT want to know that what they are eating is going to make their piss smell funny. But hey, it’s your restaurant and if people want to try out questionable food that unquestionably makes your urine smell then they can always come to The Spence. I think you have found your niche market, Richie!

When I found out that we were missing the duck for the party, my heart fell to my chest. My job requires me to constantly make sure that all the details are taken care of, and then what do I do?! I get the main course messed up instead. It is always something! Always something that is the problem! I am giving myself gray hair from this. I truly believe that it will all be for the best in the end. I love my #TeamFabio, and I would not be here without you. Thank you for being a part of my life and cooking my family recipes so that I can be a part of yours. If you really want to challenge yourself, you should check out my first Fabio Kitchen Challenge here!