It's About the Butter

A funny thing happens when people taste Animal Farm butter. We serve it unsalted with fleur de sel on the table and suggest that they sprinkle the salt on the butter.  They may be distracted as they take the first bite, After a few seconds they usually pause, stop chewing to really savor the flavor and texture (we serve it cold), then swallow thoughtfully and go for another bite.  This time they eat it more slowly, getting into the moment and experiencing the butter with all of their senses. After the second bite they begin to talk.  They talk about the flavor of the butter and how reminiscent of cheese it is.  That leads to memories and conversation about food, family, and friends.  People above a certain age begin to talk about their childhood memories and the way that things used to taste.  Stories are told and soft laughter chimes through the dining room.  Countless loaves of bread disappear during the course of a meal.  As good as it is, it’s oftentimes merely a vehicle for the butter.  That’s the power of great food.  That’s the effect we’re going for every time we put food on the table.  Fortunately there are people like Diane St. Clair and her team of cows to remind us that we are not alone in our struggle to create something wonderful in a troubled world.  The best thing that we can do for our guests is to create a moment of pure pleasure where the rest of the world fades away.  These are precious moments in these troubled times and it is a rare gift for us when we can do that for someone.  But even when we’re having a tough day in the kitchen, we know that we can always fall back on the butter.  Knowing that, we somehow pull through the madness and come out on the other side.