About
About Messy Cuisine
What is Messy Cuisine?
Over a year ago, friends and I decided to produce our own cooking show. What might we call it? The Messy Chef was born, a moniker inspired by my own mother’s description of my abilities in the kitchen. “You might cook well, but you sure are messy.”
Messy Cuisine is a website dedicated to restaurant reviews and future online video productions of The Messy Chef. I hope to find ways to make the site more interactive for visitors.
How do I see all the restaurants you have reviewed?
Under the navigation section, choose Category > Restaurant Reviews and the page that is displayed will show all reviews in alphabetical order.
Is Messy Cuisine a business?
No, a pasttime and a passion.
Messy Cuisine Logo
Who designed the logo for Messy Cuisine? I did. It was produced using Adobe Illustrator. It’s adapted from the typeface PMN Caecilia.
Tell me more about the Restaurant Reviews…
Unlike the NY Times, or other well-established locations, the reviews I write may be based on one or more visits, but sometimes it is just one. Typically, I’ll cover the best and worst points. I usually mention what I had, and make comments too on the service and the atmosphere of the restaurant. The ratings I assign are not derived from some complex rubric, but are a genealized, overall reaction to my meal at the particular restaurant. I do not discriminate on price: cheap eats can earn a top rating, just the same as an expensive restaurant. I think price and formality, however, can affect your choice when dining, so I’ve begun to use a 3-tiered indicator for price to guide your choices.
About the Chef
Not a chef, really… a gourmet, or simply an enthusiast for good things in life. I have shared reviews of places I eat online for over 6 years. I typically go out a lot, due to convenience and a desire to try new things. At home, I gravitate towards Italian cuisine, but also French technique and simple dishes and dinners. My baking skills aren’t great, but I do love a good pie or croissant.
Production Details
Episodes of The Messy Chef have been taped in several venues. We typically use a protean, yet inexpensive set up. Halogen lights from the hardware store, DV-based video cameras, and direction from the “Chef” as the production continues.
Show Models
Probably my favorite TV program for cooking is TV Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa, for its style and content. We’re also inspired by NBC’s hit comedy show, The Office, and have attempted some take-offs on that filming style and charactature.
The Blog
The blog is powered by WordPress, the open source blog engine. I evaluted several content management systems (CMS) when beginning, but I was most familiar with this and its templating system.
Future Endeavors
I’d like to invite other guests to the taping of our show. I’d like to add-on some online forums and other interactive elements. A recipe archive. We’ll see. Stay-tuned, as they say.
Duck Rilette with Cumberland Sauce
Pork with Sauerkraut and Apple-Riesling Sauce and Maple Cream
4-spiced Duck with Shiitakes