Shaking Things Up
Over the year and a half we’ve been publishing The Humble Gourmand, I’ve resisted any urge to use the magazine or its blog as my personal amplifier.
That’s because my goals for the site were strictly editorial, and I wasn’t keen on inserting too much “I” into my own journalism.
However, since December 2007, when we launched, several things have happened: I’ve studied the culinary arts, catered small affairs under the table, read mountains of food writing, become a minimally competent food photographer & stylist, and started working at a farmers market & co-op each week.
All the while, I’ve been plotting a way to cobble these disparate elements together in a career that would satisfy me, philosophically speaking. (Financially is another story, but so far, so good.)
Thus I am extremely, cartoonishly, over-the-moon happy to relay today that I’ve taken the proverbial plunge. The Humble Gourmand will not publish an August issue because my days are currently consumed with the highs and lows of creating a food business from the ground up. I could go into the ludicrous amounts of red tape that threaten to stymie any would-be entrepreneur in Northern Virginia (or anywhere), but I’ll keep it clean for now. I’ll quote a friend instead: “Starting your own business is enough to make ANYone a libertarian.”
The Humble Gourmand’s business side will be designed to connect people with the kinds of food I dream about at night (right now, heirloom tomatoes are at the top of the list). It will be a catering and prepared food business sourcing ingredients and products from Chesapeake Bay watershed farmers and butchers, plus artisan/small-batch producers up and down the East Coast.
Contact me (alison@humblegourmand.com) if you’re looking for a source of really terrific grass-fed beef to supplement your grocery-buying; if you have a kickin’ party to throw; or if you want wholesome, natural meals prepared and delivered to you on a regular basis.
The magazine will certainly be back, raring to go, in September. I’ll also be blogging in this space quite a bit more frequently about my experiences (and, as always, alerting Washington dwellers to any culinary happenings that cross my radar).
If it weren’t 11:30 in the morning, I’d be raising a flute of Champagne. Instead, I’ll just say, “To new beginnings!”
Best,
Alison
Comments
By Alison L. McConnell
Alison L. McConnell is the HG’s editor and publisher. She also runs The Humble Gourmand’s catering and prepared food business, which serves as a conduit between Chesapeake Bay watershed farmers and butchers, artisan/small-batch producers up and down the East Coast, and hungry clients in the Washington area.
A native of New Jersey and upstate New York, Alison attended Bowdoin College in Maine and the London School of Economics before settling in Washington in 2004. She studied the culinary arts at L’Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg, MD. She abides by a long-standing family motto: McConnells always finish their desserts.
About The Humble Gourmand
The Humble Gourmand is published the first Friday of each month, edited by Alison L. McConnell, a Washington, D.C.-based journalist and writer. It is designed to offer straightforward lessons and advice to aspiring cooks, oenophiles, and all other eaters and drinkers.
The Humble Gourmand encourages users to comment on any and all of its features, but reserves the right to remove any material deemed inappropriate.
Sherida (@Foodtopia)
July 29 11:49 a.m. 1Congratulations! I know you'll be a smashing success! Can't wait to hear more about the journey!
Du4
July 29 11:55 a.m. 2Congrats, Alison! This is a FANTASTIC idea! Can't wait to hear more!
Nina
July 29 11:55 a.m. 3Good luck Alison! I know it's going to be wonderful! So very proud of you and your deliciously passionate plunge. Best!
Tory
July 29 6:55 p.m. 4Yeah!! Rock on, my foodie-cuz :) I'm sure you're going to be a very big hit! Love you! xoxo
Anderson
July 29 7:34 p.m. 5Would just like to throw out the fact that I feel very good about champagne in the morning. As should you, my fantastic friend!
alisonh33
July 29 8:57 p.m. 6Congrats Alison! I know you will be a success. Would love to hear about it.
jaden
July 30 6:50 a.m. 7CONGRATS!!!!!
wish I lived closer, I'd totally drive over and bring that bottle of champagne...don't care WHAT time it is! ;-)
Alison
July 30 3:28 p.m. 8Looks like I have a raft of Champagne-ready supporters in the morning... Thanks everyone!
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August 6 11:20 p.m. 9Al, I can't tell you how happy I am. You are living your dream! Please do share with us humble readers, even this one who abandoned you for New Zealand. Hey, we all deserve to follow our dreams!
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