Maine Food & Lifestyle Blog

When the first issue of Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine arrived at French & Brawn (our neighborhood food market) in the Summer of 2006 I was utterly amazed by the quality writing, beautiful photography and the unique and inspiring layout of the magazine. How can a publication of this caliber focus on my little area of the world? If you have not seen the magazine, go online and order the 5 back issues (available for only $4 each) and subscribe. On your next visit to the Inn you will notice that we proudly stock each guestroom with the current issue.

So, needless to say, I was extremely excited when Merrill Williams (Editor/Publisher) contacted me about a feature in the magazine's second issue. The article "To Market and Home Again with Chef Michael Salmon" (in the Holiday 2006 issue) focused on a holiday menu for four people with recipes and outstanding photographs by Jim Bazin (Creative Director and Food Photographer, extraordinaire - I added that last part). Click here to read the article online.

With that brief history behind us, we can move on to what's new and current at the magazine. Blogs are all the rage right now and I am happy to announce that Maine Food & Lifestyle has just launched their blog this month titled "Plating Up." The list of contributors is quite impressive and they have even asked me to contribute. Quite an honor. The current articles are very interesting so I invite you to go online and become inspired. Jim Bazin blogged about "A Lamb Meal To Die For" and you might want to read about the Chef that prepared that meal.

Do Chefs Eat Junk Food?

Port City Life Magazine called me a few months ago and asked me if I ever ate junk food, and if so, what were some of my favorites. Well, this is what I and some other Maine Chefs admitted.

Hartstone Inn - Voted Best of Best

Every year local readers of Village Soup (our local on-line newspaper) and the Knox County Times vote for their favorite businesses. This year, we are proud to announce, the Hartstone Inn won in two categories: best bed and breakfast and best chef.

Following the results, a Best of the Best gala, hosted by Village NetMedia and the Samoset Resort, is held. The annual event highlights the work of local businesses, and all proceeds go to United Mid-Coast Charities. In five years, the Best of the Best event has raised about $10,000. The event, held on Thursday March 20, 2008, was a big success.

To read more about the best of best gala or to see the results of the poll visit: http://knox.villagesoup.com/Community/story.cfm?storyID=111813

Hartstone Cooking School Students Hit the Big Time

Bob and Suzie Jobes come up to Maine (from sunny Florida) twice a year to stay with us at the Hartstone Inn. A few years ago, they started taking cooking classes at the Inn, first participating in our scheduled cooking classes with 10 other students, and more recently they have taken part in our chef for a day program where they come into the kitchen and spend 2 on 1 time with Chef Michael. They enjoy cooking, and more importantly, they enjoy cooking together.

In the February issue of Boca magazine (The "Only" Boca Raton Magazine) Bob and Suzie get the kind of "culinary exposure" that professionals dream of. The article, written by Julie O'Hara, is
called "Culinary Connections, Dishes are Anything but a Chore for South Florida Couples who enjoy Cooking Together." Following is an excerpt from the article:

They, like many South Florida couples, view cooking as a relaxing way to put the brakes on a busy life and spend quality time together. The Jobes like to eat light, especially during the week when Bob will cook soups using the homemade stocks they keep on hand. Heart-healthy olive oil has replaced butter in their kitchen, and fresh herbs are staple for adding flavor. While they practice healthy cooking most of the time, the Jobes still like the occasional indulgence. "We go to a B&B up in Maine (that's us!) where one of the chef's signature desserts is individual souffles served with sauce at the table" says Sue. "We wanted to try that at home, and it was delicious. It turned out really well!"
We are proud of you two! Keep up the good cooking and thanks for the autograph. Photographs by Gary James.

Chef Michael Appears on Local TV Show "207"

Chef Michael appeared on WCSH (channel 6) on Valentine's day (Thursday, February 14, 2008) at 7:00 p.m. with "207" host Rob Caldwell. Michael displayed some of his antique chocolate molds, discussed their history and demonstrated how to use them.

During the month of February, Michael displays his chocolate molds and a selection of chocolate figures in the dining room of the Inn for his guests to see. Come by the Hartstone Inn and he'll give you a personal tour.

Michael's second cookbook contains an article on his chocolate mold collection that outlines the use of antique chocolate molds from tempering the chocolate to molding the forms. For more information and techniques see "In the Kitchen with Michael Salmon", pages 198 - 201.

Click Here to Watch the Video

Further information on Michael's chocolate molds is available in this blog, just click on the "Chocolate" label below.

Mary Jo and Her Orchids make the Local Newspaper

There's something about orchids: A Camden innkeeper in her greenhouse
Mary Jo and her orchids were featured in a local newspaper "Village Soup" this week. The article was written by Lynda Clancy (a VillageSoup/Knox County Times Reporter) as she toured Mary Jo's greenhouse and caught her in action. Photo by Lynda Clancy.

Click here to read the article

To learn more about orchids, click on the "orchid" label below and read other blog entries on the subject and follow links to various orchid websites including the American Orchid Society.

Portland Magazine - Valentine Pick

Portland Magazine's Winterguide 2008 has just published a list of "27 Romantic Getaways for the Ultimate Valentine's Day!" We are proud to announce that the Hartstone Inn is listed as number 6.

To read the article, click here.

Celebrate Valentines Day everyday in the Month of February!

Your Two Night February Romance Package includes: a half bottle of champagne, chocolate truffles and a rose petal turndown. Memorable Breakfast Each Morning, Afternoon Tea and Cookies and Happy Hour Martini’s each afternoon by the fire. A five-course candle lit dinner for two.

If you would like to pamper yourself with one of our spa treatments (at our new "on property" massage room) we are offering 10% off in the month of February.

Rates: Rooms – $358, Jr. Suites- $388 and Suites – $438

Inns Magazine Article

"Chefs that are Innkeepers" is the title of this article (written by Pamela Delaney) in Inns Magazine. Delaney, a former restaurant owner, interviewed two Chef/Innkeepers in a quest to find out why there are not more chefs that own inns.

The two chef/innkeepers interviewed were:
Chef Michael Salmon of the Hartstone Inn, Camden, Maine
Chef Peter Egger of the Breadalbane Inn, Fergus, Ontario

Click here to read the article

Port City Life Magazine Article

The December 2007 issue of Port City Life Magazine features an article on the Hartstone Inn and Chef Michael. The cover of the magazine reads "Camden Tarts," and inside you will find an article by contributing writer Mindy Favreau titled "Festive Fruit Tartlets." The article gives a brief background of the Inn and highlights Michael's recipe for Macadamia Nut and Wild Blueberry Tartlets with Ginger Ice Cream.

Click here to read the article and get the recipe.

Boston Globe Article on the Hartstone Inn

The travel section of the Boston Sunday Globe (October 28, 2007) featured a great article on the Inn. Globe Correspondent Hillary Nangle, made an unannounced visit to the Inn and writes of her experience.
Click on the following link to read the article: http://www.boston.com/travel/articles/2007/10/28/camden_inn_makes_its_cuisine_a_drawing_card?p1=email_to_a_friend