Food & Romance

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Comment by Kate on March 2, 2009 at 7:59pm

I remember our first date, August 17th, 1999. I had come up to the island to meet Don. I was staying with my girlfriend Margot who was running a B&B. We put together some great appetizers (since Don loves great food and wine) to have before Don and I went out to dinner. When Don showed up with a 1982 Chateau Petite Village I knew this was the beginning of an amazing relationship.

Comment by Chiffonade on March 2, 2009 at 7:14pm

It took some effort to convince my BF it was safe to take a chance on me. Eventually I pulled out the big guns: I made him dinner.

We're together 2 years as of February 24.

Food = Weapon of Mass Persuasion.

Comment by Carrie J. Gamble on February 19, 2009 at 5:56pm

Kate, I'm glad you enjoyed our story! It really was such an exciting time in my life. I DO believe that if it is meant to be it WILL happen. I think about contacting him sometimes. I can't imagine how he'd react. Nothing bad ever happened between us. I'm sure he thinks he is a distant memory for me, when actually he is in my thoughts every day. I don't believe feelings that strong happen too often to a person.

Anyway, I am curious about your romantic love story! I'd love to hear it! I am so happy for you that it is continuing. Yes, I would like to keep in touch with you! Carrie

Comment by Kate on February 19, 2009 at 3:38pm

Carrie, Thank you for your response. I am a hopeless romantic and love to hear how a heart can be jump started with such a deep emotion. I am toying with writing a book about my husbands and my story, it is such a romantic time in our lives. And it still is.

Remember, if it is meant to be it will happen. I am a true believer! Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. How lucky you were to have had the experience. Keep in touch! Kate

Comment by Carrie J. Gamble on February 17, 2009 at 3:23pm

Hi Kate, I wish I could tell you the entire story, but it would take too long! I bought a new dress and new shoes to wear for my special dinner with him. When I got to my table I was told he was not there and not scheduled to work that night, but my waitress said he had pre-ordered an appetizer for me. I was so crushed when I learned he wasn't there! I felt sick and didn't think I could eat anything after hearing this news. A few minutes later he showed up. He came to be with me! (not to work) He sat down at my table and we each had a glass of wine. I was more excited than nervous about seeing him again. We talked and talked for hours, just like we had known each other forever. It felt like a first date. It was so romantic and I still felt like I was in a dream! There was "magic" in the air when we were together. It was so strong and undenyable and a feeling I had never felt before. Anyway, he left and I saw him one more time before heading back home.

Four months later I was back in his city on business. We had kept in touch. Unexpectedly we ended up spending an afternoon together. I told him how I felt that first day at his restaurant. He said he felt the exact same way. We had a wonderful time together - the most romantic afternoon of my life! That night I went back to his restaurant for dinner. I was still walking on a cloud and feeling so "in love!"

After returning home we kept in touch with phone calls and letters. He asked me to come back to see him but financially I couldn't afford it at the time. Because of certain circumstances our keeping in touch ended about six months later. I have not seen him since that night at his restaurant. Being a hopeless romantic myself, I still dream of seeing him again. I wonder if he ever thinks of me. Nothing that has happened before or since compares to the feelings we had for each other. Maybe we really are meant to be together some day! Who knows!

Comment by Kate on February 13, 2009 at 3:21pm

Now Carrie, You can't tell us hopeless romantics a wonderful love story like that and then keep us hanging! WHAT HAPPENED? :-0

Comment by Carrie J. Gamble on February 13, 2009 at 3:00pm

In the spring of 1992 I was set to do a book signing with my cookbook at a foodie event which took place in my city. As an unknown author I sat behind my table full of cookbooks and no one was lining up for a signed copy! (like they did for the television personality who's signing preceded mine) Along came a very attractive man who sat down beside me with his recently published cookbook. No one lined up of for his cookbook either, so we had plenty of time to chat. My mother and sisters were with me and we all enjoyed talking and flirting with this nice man. During the course of the conversation he mentioned that he owned a restaurant. In the end, he gave me a brochure on his restaurant and said, “If you are ever in my area, stop in to see me.”

A few weeks later I decided to send him a copy of my cookbook. I thought he would enjoy it and maybe he would even have a nice comment about it. Two years later in April I received a hand written note from him! He mentioned my cookbook and at the end of the note asked that I let him know if ever I traveled to his city. That night I had a dream. In my dream I went to see him and we fell in love! The dream was so real! I actually woke up feeling “in love” and the feeling stayed with me from that day forward.

As fate would have it, I learned of an event very dear to my heart which was taking place in his city in September. I was so excited about attending this event, seeing the chef again and planning a book tour while I was there. I called the chef to let him know of my plans.

So there I was in his city. After a very busy and exciting week at the event, I decided to stop by his restaurant on my way out of town at the chance he might be there. I asked the hostess if he was there and told her I just wanted to say, “Hi.” A few minutes later he was walking towards me with a big smile on his face. He greeted me with a hug and said, “Where have you been all week?” I told him what I had been up to and that I was headed out of town. In his presence I immediately felt “at home.” He insisted I stay for lunch. How could I say no?

He lead me to the chef's counter where I could watch the chefs in the kitchen as they worked. He prepared my lunch and served it to me. Of course, everything was absolutely delicious! He was so sweet and accommodating! I couldn't believe how excited he seemed about me being there. I wanted to pinch myself! I kept thinking, “I must be dreaming!” I even said to him, “This feels like a dream!” Everything about that day was so romantic. The time came for me to be on my way. He came out to my side of the counter and stood real close as we talked about seeing each other at his other restaurant when I returned to the city the next week. We decided on a day and he said he would take care of making my reservation. I can remember exactly how I felt at that moment. As he looked into my eyes I felt as if he were looking into my soul. It was one of the most incredible moments/feelings in my life!

As I drove to my next destination (about 3 hours away) I felt as if I were floating on a cloud! I could think of nothing else but him. I couldn't imagine how I was going to get through next several days until I would see him again. While traveling alone in my rental car for the next week every love song I heard on the radio was about him. I heard the song “Passionate Kisses” and felt like I had already experienced passionate kisses with him. (which I obviously had not!) I kept thinking to myself ~ this is crazy! But at the same time I felt like the luckiest girl in the world to feel so in love. When it comes to my passion for food & romance ~ this is my most romantic memory ever!

Comment by Jenny Naylor on February 13, 2009 at 2:28pm

I'm a beach girl. Not a New England beach girl but a caribbean rustic turquoise waters kinda beach girl. My husband I were married 6 years ago in Key West with 30 friends and family members. The week before our wedding we needed to "settle in" before the event so we rented a beach cottage with an awesome turquoise paddle fanned porch which overlooked the pool, surrounded by palms and tiki torches. Each night we'd grill the local fish, use a new local spice on it, make a tropical fruit salsa to top it with, light the torches and drink coronas. Lastly we'd have a cuban before the night ended. There's something to be said for rustic. It doesn't always have to be elegant to be romantic!

Comment by Dana Moos on February 13, 2009 at 2:11pm

I think I'm going to pick up lobster for a Valentines Day lobster dinner! With some crusty bread and chocolate dipped strawberries and some Port for dessert!

Comment by Kate on February 13, 2009 at 1:58pm

Who doesn't like to go out for a romantic dinner with the love of their life? Whether it tubing under a full moon, or going to a wonderful restaurant or getting together with friends. We usually like to go out to a nice restaurant where I don't have to cook and I can enjoy the meal too.
This year we are doing something totally different. We are going with a group a friends to a private dinner club here on the island. You can only get a reservation if you go with someone who has been there before; it is a word of mouth only restaurant. The menu is set, you bring your own wine and you are educated on the meal by the chef/owner who cooks and serves (with an assistant) the meal.

We really like to try different things, especially up here when most of the island closes up for the winter, and we are looking forward to this one.

I look forward to hearing from anyone who is participating in "Open That Bottle Night!"

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