New Haven rises to the top becoming the crown jewel of Connecticut.  Where New York is sprawling and overwhelming, New Haven is neatly tucked into  a walkable and more subdued atmosphere.  Occupying an area that stretches from the cliff like faces of East and West Rock to the deep harbor on Long Island Sound, New Haven offers the best of everything Connecticut, and more.

Below an eclectic skyline, which is a panorama of old European spires, quintessential New England rooftops , and modern American skyscrapers, are streets lined with elm trees and diverse architecture.  New Haven is probably one of the few cities that offers hiking trails and a beach, in addition to its beautiful parks.  Downtown centers around the green with its historic three churches.  Here one finds a more hectic pace of people working, shopping, eating, playing, and biking.  People on the move.  Out on the streets. 

New Haven is the epicenter of all things Connecticut.  Home of Yale University,
it’s a college town with an international component that is woven right into the fabric of the culture. New Haven is  an  unrivaled hub for its medical and educational  institutions.  The arts, museums, diverse festivals and events, offer an exciting and dynamic cultural flair.  Arts and ideas.  This is a city where live music, plays, shows, theater, and sports takes stage year round in its many unique and historic venues.

To know New Haven is to taste its many amazing restaurants. The great coffee houses.  The breakfast haunts.  The world famous pizza places. The home of the hamburger.  The neighborhood bars and pubs.  The farmers markets.   The food here knows no limits nor ethnic boundaries.  From top notch world class five star restaurants to food trucks located around town, New Haven is Connecticut’s food destination.

A city of diversity, where the working class walks the streets with students from around the globe. While facing the same challenges many cities face, New Haven still has it all.  There is something  here…for me and for you.

If you get to know New Haven…you will discover there is so much to explore, see and do. 

If you knew New Haven like I do, you would understand that this city is a playground for you…for New Haven is a diamond in the rough. A gem.

So, let’s hear it for New Haven!

Cause it’s right here for me and for “You” Haven!!

Quick bus ride over to Epcot for dinner with some of Disney’s top chefs.  It’s so funny how the back of the theme parks could be an industrial/warehouse complex found anywhere.  The “magic ” is reserved for the front of the house….made me think of the tv show, “Curb Appeal.” 

We poured out of the buses through the walk in freezer/cold storage area which was the back of one of the Epcot culinary prep kitchens.  The produce and fish were on display like we were at the fish market in Tokyo, Japan.  The chefs, who formed a corridor, eagerly greeted us with trays filled with champagne flutes.  A good way to start for sure!

Once inside the kitchen area it became apparent that we were here to taste, taste, and well, taste again….more and more stations seemed to pop up as my eyes canvased the room.  We were treated to Seafood Stew, Green Curry Shrimp, Lamb Sliders, Tuna Tartar, Cedar Plank Salmon, Rockfish Crab Cakes,a nd so much more.  All the dishes were paired beautifully with wine…the pairings were impressive. 

The food was great, the wine was fine, but once again, it is the people and new connections that I will take from this night. 

Here in Orlando to cover the story of the 100 contestants who are here competing for the $1,000,000.00 prize!  The winner will be announced live on The Oprah Winfrey Show on Wed. April 14th!!   I will be sharing which recipes I think are the contenders.  Started choosing which ones I will keep an eye on from reading the Bake-Off Cookbook on the plane!  Tonight, dinner with the executive chefs from Disney Resorts and Parks at Epcot!  Caught one hour at pool  this afternoon…ready for food, wine, and fun tonight…..stay tuned!  CB

Food is the universal bond that connects every living person and creature.  Some live to eat, while others eat to live.  The greatest number of transactions that occur everyday happen with food.  We buy.  We sell. We trade. We share. We give. We take.  We bake. There are endless varieties of food; beautiful and nutritious plants that yield fruits, nuts, and vegetables, fish and meats, dairy products, artisanal breads, desserts, spices, herbs, drinks, and so many man made dishes.

We share life over food at tables around the world.  We eat on the go. Fast food. The slow food movement. Comfort food!  There are endless relationships we have with food.  Food represents our cultures, our ethnicity, our families,  and our histories.

It is with food in mind, that  I think about business, my business or any business.  What are the ingredients of the business?  Are they fresh?  Do they represent the owners? the employees? what about the customers?  How are they combined to bring about something new and tasty and exciting that people want to buy, share and tell others about?  What are the skills needed to bring these ingredients together?

Everyday requires us to look at our recipe!  Can it be improved?  Should it be tweaked?  Maybe the dish is perfect but needs to be shared with more people in more places.  Perhaps today we look at how to add a new side dish to our already successful menu.

The same recipe brings about the same results!!

What is your recipe for success?