He was young, 12 years or so

Typical string bean of those who will be tall.

A mop of curly, mousy blond hair

Under a red ball cap

 

He looked around the strange place,

wondering where to go .

He came to learn camp cooking

 

Looking around, somewhat shy

Waiting for something, though what was a mystery

 

Soon the class started

It wasn’t cooking, at least not yet

Camp kitchen set-up

No food, just getting ready.

Questions about experience and meals preferred

 

Then the cookbook, not big, but full, enticing,

overwhelming. Where to start? What first?

In the kitchen outside or inside.?

Simple, familiar – washing hands before handling food.

 

First dish seems simple – pancakes

Except for the apples – in the batter?

What would it taste like? Would they be good?

Control the temperature – not too hot and not too cold

Cast iron is cool (well really hot, but fun)

 

They were fabulous!

His interest sparked.

What next? Let’s experiment.

Not all recipes would work today

The next one didn’t work – forgot the oil in the dough.

 

It was crumbling before it would cook

Still it was exciting to hold it over the fire to bake

No oven, just coals. Didn’t know you could.

 

Next, read the recipe. It looks more complicated.

But, one step at a time and it becomes simple –

Easy, taking one step at a time.

 

Peal and dice the vegetables.

Prepare the spice rub.

Oil the dutch oven. Apples on the bottom

Rub the roast

Place on the apples

Add the rest and a little stock

Put it all on the coals and cover.

More coals on top.

 

Pull up a chair, relax.

Talk about food.

Share ideas for new or different dishes made this way -

Outdoors!

 

Check the creation – don’t overcook or under-cook

Not ready

But it smells heavenly

Wait some more, enjoying the sun

 

Check again

is it done? Grabbing the thermometer -

140, no 150, no160 and steady

It’s ready! Take it off the coals.

Savor the first slice.

Just maybe it’s a little slice of heaven

 

Next day he arrived excited,

No longer the shy young man.

Full of energy, ready for more.

 

Recipe after recipe, he began to lead,

even when it was something entirely new

Always asking questions

Smile growing ever larger

 

Now the final dish

something never expected

and never tasted, much less made.

 

Roast duck in root vegetables on apples

 

It wasn’t hard, just follow the recipe

occasionally looking up for guidance

receiving a smile and a nod in encouragement

This time, he managed the coals,

Then sat back, too nervous to relax completely.

Waiting can be hard.

 

It’s been an hour

Check the duck,

Not yet, needs to be hotter

Replace the lid and wait some more.

 

One more check…

A pause and then the declaration -

Let’s eat!

 

Stupendous, fantastic, delicious, even heavenly

as the duck is served and devoured.

Nothing but the bones left

And one proud and excited young man

 

He started a shy young person afraid to speak

He finished full of new skills

and a new strength of person, willing to try,

to create, to experiment, and to share

 

Now a chef, newly born!