HUNGRY GERALD

Son Jeremy is a very talented cook. So, it is not surprising that, teamed with wife and partner, they have made their barbecue izakaya, Freeman Shokudo, a busy eatery renowned for its better- than-Katz’s pastrami and other robust beer-friendly dishes. Maiko and handsome son, Haru, are back in Tokyo while Jeremy and pre-teen daughter, Teru, are still enjoying life at the HG/BSK/RIVA oceanfront home on the north shore of Prince Edward Island. Last night, Jeremy made one of HG/BSK’s favorite dishes–Chicken gumbo in the N’Awlins style. Jeremy made a mahogany colored roux and filled the pot with chicken thighs, smoked sausage, corn, the New Orleans “holy trinity” of chopped celery, peppers and onions; okra, tomatoes, garlic, broth and a variety of spices and herbs. Jeremy made his own picante sauce if more tongue tingling heat was needed. The dish was spectacular–everyone had seconds and contemplated thirds. Much red wine was quaffed. Daughter Lesley R.’s dessert was not an anticlimax. It was a berry crumble — blueberries and nectarines—the stewed fruit nestled underneath sweetened breadcrumbs and topped with generous amounts of vanilla ice cream. Lush, refreshing–and not too sweet. All at the dining table applauded Jeremy and Lesley for an extraordinary “supper”.