The Message Won, This Messenger Didn’t
May 5th, 2009 | By | Category: Out & About | Comments | 28 Comments |
Holly and I just returned home from our trip to New York City for the James Beard Awards, and as many of you already know, I did not win.
And in what initially appeared to be a potentially unpleasant twist, my fellow nominees at Sunset magazine were the only other group seated at our table. Yay, right? But moments after we all sat down, we both confided that we’d rather lose to each other than to Andrew Knowlton of Bon Appetit.
Now I have nothing against Andrew — we spoke briefly at the event and he was a perfect gentleman — but what Sunset is trying to do with its One Block Diet is in many ways linked to what I do in this space. Each of us, in our own way, are hoping to inspire others to stretch their notions of what can and cannot be done at home. I’ve been at this life longer, but we’re all trying to translate to our readers the wonders of initial discovery, stories from the field, or the satisfaction of achieving what had previously seemed impossible. Cured salami at home? You bet.
As the evening wore on, we all started to like each other more — and no, it was not the booze. So when Kelly Choi botched our entry and started to read out the Sunset team’s names in the category before ours, I knew I’d lost, and while yes, I would have liked to have won, I can honestly say it was almost as good seeing the Sunset crew hoot and holler the way they did.
The following night’s black tie gala was pretty wild. I got to tell Traci des Jardins she got robbed on “Next Iron Chef,” I got to witness the fact that Jacques Pepin is even funnier when he’s drinking Cotes du Rhone, that Ariane Daguin of D’Artagnan makes a mean duck hot dog, and that Chef Tom Colicchio is from Elizabeth, New Jersey — one of my high school’s arch rivals. I’m sure there was more, but the wine was flowing…
All in all the trip was a blast, even though the hardware went to Sunset’s offices in Menlo Park instead of my house here in Orangevale.
So thank you to everyone who wished me well, thank you to mum and sister Lizz, who traveled down from Massachusetts to be there, thank you Sunset crew for being Most Excellent People, and thank you Pam Hunter, for introducing Holly and I to so many fascinating people — and making sure I didn’t make a fool of myself.
Now it’s back to the fun. Did I mention I just made saucisson sec from some wild boar shoulder? And that I have a striped bass fishing trip set up this weekend? And that the morel season has started in the Sierra?
You were robbed.
That sounds like your crowd, man. Congrats for making it that far.
By the way, stripers ain’t the only thing running right now, so is Alosa sappidissima.
I looked through the nominees and although I really like the ‘one block’ idea i thought you had to win in it man.
Gutted, you were indeed robbed.
SBW
Hank: it was great to meet you and Holly over the weekend. I had seen the results already and am glad you feel the same way that in some ways at least it was almost as good not to lose to BA as it was to be beaten by the folks at OneBlockDiet.
Boar sausage…. (imagine Homer’s voice and the Forbidden Donut…)
best
Andrew
It takes a big man to swallow hard and be grateful anyway. Nicely done…really. Just get to thinking about the mushrooms, those marvels of mysterious wonder- how many folks on this good earth know how to find them- let alone blow us away with a certain fabulous recipe?!! You sir, and no one else. (Well, maybe me)…but very few. Your award waits for you every morning when you look into that mirror- plainly and simply, you’re a good guy who makes a good difference in the world. Thanks.
Take care-
As I have always known, Hank you are a real gentleman!
There is always another event and always next year.
All the best,
Said my piece about the awards on my blog. Just remember, you came in first with all of us!
You are indeed a class act, Hank. Congratulations, even if you didn’t win. I love this blog, James Beard Award or not! I gotta admit though, I’m glad Sunset won over Andrew Knowlton; I’m sure he’s a decent human being but it’s somehow rather satisfying to see Bon Appetit not come out on top.
I still can’t believe those backyard chicken chicks won … They seem like perfectly fine folks from their blog, but what YOU are doing is truly pioneering (without a corporate media empire behind you, no less). You would think the James Beard judges would have recognized that ….
Here’s the difference in blog styles from HAGC and Sunset, as I see it: In your blog, you whack the roosters and eat them. In their blog, they have meetings about what to do with their unexpected rooster and decide, ultimately — to give him away to a rooster sanctuary where he can live out his rooster days in an orchard and die of old age or natural causes …. PLEASE ….They really missed a culinary and literary opportunity with that decision.
Since I don’t really read any of those other sites, I can’t say that you were robbed, or that you were in great company.
What I do know, and have said before, is that it’s a hell of a big deal simply for you and your blog to show up on that list of nominees… and that’s not meant as a conciliatory statement.
You’ve helped to put hunting and wild food on the big stage, and that exposure can only be a positive thing. It’s a certain validation of a way of life that is underestimated and under-appreciated by a great many people.
So welcome home, and keep on keeping on!
After a long and difficult day that left me feeling tired and blue, your classy blog entry here made my night.
Here’s to you, Hank, and may you get many awards in the coming months and years for your excellent work!
Unfortunately I have to toast you with crappy red wine, which is pretty much all one finds here.
After my earlier comment, I went over to Bon Appetit’s website and looked over BA Foodist, and then to Sunset’s blog, since I’d never visited either, and I hate commenting on something with no knowledge. I have to say, Sunset’s blog is very interesting, and I’ll be adding it to my list of daily reading, but still, there’s nothing all that unique about it. As for BA Foodist, it reads like a hundred other blogs, and I really can’t say I was impressed.
The reason I was initially attracted to this blog was because it is so unusual. I don’t hunt, and don’t have room for serious gardening, but I usually take away something useful with each post. Also, I’m seriously thinking about taking up fishing, since it’s something I can manage to do without shooting myself in the foot.
Thanks, Hank.
The best quote of the evening was when Hank sat down and said “There’s entirely too much glassware on this table”.
Seven wine glasses and a beer glass at each setting. That’s what kind of an event this was.
Hank’s the deeper winner as he is the inspiration.
Ok, I knew you were from New Jersey but now that you mentioned Tom Colicchio and his connection to my home town Elizabeth, I’ve got to know where you’re from and when you graduated.
While I was checking around various sites, trying to find out the Beard results, I was suddenly struck that you were the person he would have chosen. I must have read Delights and Prejudices half a dozen times when I was first starting to cook. As far as I’m concerned, you won. Thanks for sharing it all with us.
Sounds like a fantastic even to be a part of. Jealous!!!
First off, 100,000 thank-yous to all of you for the kind words! As for some specifics:
Josh: Let’s hit the shad soon — stripers first, however…
Andrew: Forbidden donut boar salami…mmmm… So hoping you can hunt with us sometime. We should meet in Montana.
Larbo: Just read your post about me. Wow. I am flattered and a little embarassed. Thank you.
Sporting Days: There is quite the back story about that rooster. If the Sunset crew wants to tell it, I will leave it up to them. Suffice to say there were those who wanted to make coq au vin. And by the way, when are we going frog gigging?
Soraya: When you come home in July, we’ll have a Sultan’s Delight full of liquor for you and Erik’s enjoyment…
Tina: If you decide to take up fishing, let me know what you are interested in doing — I have been a fisherman since I could walk and might be able to set you in the right direction.
Buzzie: Yeah, I would have been HAMMERED if I drank everything offered. I needed to save some room in the tank for the after party…
David: I am a late 1980s graduate of Westfield High. Go Blue Devils!
Islandexile: I would not presume to guess who Jim Beard would have wanted to win, but it is a lovely thought.
Kevin: You may be jealous of this, but I am still jealous of your hunting opportunities up there in Calgary. Calf moose? Grouse? I mean really…
Frustrating. I really, truly thought that you had this one in the bag Hank.
Ah well, you’ll just have to win next year.
Hank,
You are a winner even without the hardware. You are obviously loved by many, respected by all, and talked about everywhere that counts!
Congratulations!
Now about that Frenchman…
Albert
Kudos nonetheless.
Like Fabio said on Top Chef this year: “you look behind you and the line is long… you look ahead of you, and it’s very short. That says a lot.”.
Great work, and you should be proud nonetheless.
I would offer you my condolences but in all honestly you don’t need them. You are doing what you love, doing it well and being recognized for the effort. You are already blessed. Keep up the good work. One of our local chefs had been up for the award a number of years and only just finally won this year. You keep writing and I will keep recommending this blog to my friends.
your blog is personal, a one-person blog (OK, with Holly’s photos) on a personal quest, doing this for love, and ad-free. The Sunset blog – while not uninteresting – is none of those things.
Big difference. You should have won.
Thank you for all those fascinating and informational posts, full of passion.
Hank, I’ve been lurking for so long that I feel ashamed. but now that I’ve got my own humble blog going, I know how good it feels to see what people are thinking!
I love what you do–I think it is so important and authentic and stereotype-shattering. I “married” into a hunting, gardening, deep-freezer family and, like most new converts, I feel extra-passionate about defending and exploring a way of life which is mostly misunderstood. Your recipes and tips have helped make many a delicious meal out of what my partner brings home!
I’m so excited you were acknowledged by the JB Foundation, disappointed you didn’t win, but glad you & Holly were able to spend the evening hobnobbing and being appreciated for your contribution.
Best,
Nishta (who is waiting anxiously for dove season to start again in south Texas)
LiteLuvr: Funny you should mention Fabio: He was a favorite of mine in that last go-round, especially after the “this is Top Chef, not Top Pussy” comment when he broke his finger.
Rick: Thanks! I talked to a lot of people who have been nominated a lot without the medallion, so at least I am in good company.
Nishta: Thanks a heap — welcome to the comment pool and the blog world. And we too are anxiously awaiting dove season. How long until Labor Day?
You should have won, Hank, just like Martin Scorcese should have won for his first several movies. But you will get your due, I have no doubt. All I want to know is, at the awards ceremony, did they serve any goat?
I still think you should put the nomination badge on your blog. Just being nominated is HUGE!
Hank kept on losing his nomination ribbon. I had to rescue it from being stuck on the bottom of some guy’s shoe!
Hank, do you have that blasted ribbon?
Buzzie: Dunno. I guess it is still in the pocket of the jacket I was wearing. Unless it fell out…
You were robbed! If you want I am down with raiding the Sunset office to get your trophy….
In my best Dwight Schrute voice, “They seem nice I am sure. But I bet they are very soft. They will never see us coming.”