Fabulously Fierce Friends, Paul

cq writes: I worked with Paul at the Fireplace in Brookline for a little over year. He has also owned two restaurants, Daddy-o's and Macondo both in the greater Boston area. Currently he is the chef at Brandy Pete's in the Boston's Financial District. He is a championship crossword puzzle worker, has a lovely family, and makes a delicious Cornish Game Hen.

cq: 1. Who are your role models - food related or otherwise?

paul: James Beard, through his books and through his championship of American food and ingredients, has always been an inspiration.

cq: 2. What is your drink of choice?

paul: Cocktail- a bourbon Manhattan, white wine - Chassagne Montrachet, red -Chateau Talbot, beer - Circus Boy by Magic Hat.

cq: 3. What is your favorite cookbook or other food related book?

paul: James Beard's "American Cooking" and Jeremiah Tower's "New American Classics"

cq: 4. What was your most memorable meal and why?

paul: My 50th birthday at Marcuccio's with Chuck Draghi cooking - 5 amazing courses with 5 amazing little-known Italian wines - with my family and friends.

cq: 5. What is your favorite kitchen gadget or tool?

paul: My trusty 25 year old Kitchenaid mixer

cq: 6. If you had to make dinner with ingredients at your home right now, what would you make?

paul: I always keep the ingredients for spaghetti with clam sauce on hand - a good 15 minute go-to meal when I haven't made it to the store, other plans fell through or I'm just not inspired to spend the afternoon in the kitchen.

cq: 7. What kind of music do you like to listen to while you cook?

paul: Jazz

cq: 8. What is your philosophy on cooking and eating?

paul: Be respectful of the food you cook and eat. Understand where it came from how it got to you. don't be wasteful and appreciate the bounty that is available to us.

cq: 9. Are there any foods you can not stand to eat?

paul: No, only badly prepared food.  Well, ok, I'm not that fond of sea urchins, and I could live without truffle oil.

cq: 10. If you could use any super power in the kitchen, what would it be and why?

paul: Super digestion - eat as much as you want and never gain weight.