It's All In The Mint and Giving Back.

I have always volunteered. I love the feeling that it gives me.. Giving back. I don't do it for people to say.. WOW.. George did this or that.. I do it for me to say WOW.. I changed someone's life. I enjoyed it and I got so much out of it. I am telling you this to get you to give back! When I wanted to go to Culinary School (It was out of my district and mine would not give me the papers to leave my area) I decided to go to the Latch Key Program at the YWCA in Torrance and teach the kids cooking. It was a ball! I am sure a few are now chefs! While at Disney I was part of the Disney Vount"ears"... I still think of a little guy named Chris that I took to the Circus.

I really enjoy going into elementary and middle schools to talk about my food experiences and career. It is so much more then being a Chef! Today I still get to schools and have a number of ones booked for this year. If your school is interested let me know at ggeary@aol.com. I want to continue to change lives! 

Last year at the Alexandria House in Downtown Los Angeles (a home for abused women and children) I taught a hand churned Ice Cream Making Class to the teens. Last night I got out the old ice cream crank and made more... Here is a little one learning how salt melts the ice.. (That's before he put some down my back!).

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream was on the menu.. Here is the recipe. If you don't have fresh mint.. Use 1/4 teaspoon of mint extract. 

Recipe

1981: Chocolate Truffle Torte.

Back Way Back I created this Chocolate Truffle Torte Recipe..

Change it up for your own tastes.. You can refrigerate it for a firm texture or keep it at room temperature for a creamy texture.

I used to make this as a wedding cake and wrap it in a sheet of chocolate then gold leaf it.. 

Recipe

Tours

Cookbook/Pans

It's Almost Labor Day! Glazed Lemon Cookie Time

I was a little surprised to find out that a number of school districts started back a few weeks ago. We went from the second Wednesday of September to the second week of June. One week off at Easter (Oh we can't say that.. I mean Spring Break) and two weeks at Christmas (Woops... Again I can't say that I mend Winter break) And a few other holidays like Thanksgiving (Can I say that?). Lincoln's Birthday, Memorial Day, Etc... If I would have known I would have supplied you with this cookie recipe! I also use to to grind down for my lemon cheesecake... 

Enjoy! Recipe

PS: I have some of my books on my site if you are looking for them to purchase: Books

Also, we only have a few spots left for the May 2014 France Tour. Check it out: Tour

SD Living: National Rum Day!

National Rum Day was last Friday... I decided to do my segment on Thursday as I was leaving for AZ for the weekend. It was a crazy show! I started by getting the anchors a little buzzed! Rum Spritzers! Then a Pineapple Rum Sauce for Ribs and Chicken. 

Here is the Segment: The Show 

Here are the recipes: The Recipes

The Brown Derby... Paprika Chicken

The Brown Derby. One of the iconic historical Los Angeles landmarks gone... The Wilshire location (across from the Ambassador Hotel) was the only one that was in the shape of a derby.. Here is a recipe for the Paprika Chicken. It was served on the menu only once a week.

Paprkia Chicken

Take a look at my cookbooks (9 now.. next year will be 10!). Cookbooks

Also, my France 2014 has only a few limited spots left! Tours

See you in class, on TV or on a tour soon!