Whatsa New? Just Ask Essen.

The great thing about a new business is that you have little reason not to try a new idea because nothing's been done the same old way for-ever and it's hard to make a mistake when things haven't been done before.

Well, a friend called for some menu planning advice yesterday of which I was happy to oblige. As you all know, I love food, I love everything about food and miss few chances to talk about food and its effects on people and their communities.

She hung up feeling satisfied given the refinement and direction in her menu and I felt good that I had helped minimize any insecurities related to entertaining. All of which got me thinking. (This is the part when growing up my father would say, "Oh, no, here we go again. I hate when you do that thinking thing.") Wouldn't it be useful if you had a place to call with your food, cooking and entertainment-related questions? You'd speak with a real, live person, you wouldn't have to figure your way through a long list of phone prompts only to find the company's closed and no one really speaks your language, both literally and figuratively. And it would be a courtesy service open to anyone in the community.

Well, here it is. Announcing ... Just Ask Essen.

Beginning Monday, October 1st, ring Essen each Monday from noon - 1 pm and I'll be there to brainstorm ideas to your wildest food-related challenges. Have you struggled to come up with side dishes for that fabulous vinegar chicken? How can you adapt your favorite recipes in light of dad's newly diagnosed heart disease? Try as you might, you cannot get that basic knife grip from Class correctly. Refresher please!

Whatever the issue, I'll be there with a big ear, ideas for you to consider, and, most importantly, a live voice to respond specifically to your needs at that moment in time. Essen time.