I grew up in the PNW, left when I was 18, back again with family for a few years to experience the lovely recessions and got out again for the final time almost a decade ago.

During my time there one part of my work was as a ‘forager’ for my company connecting our chefs with local farmers and artisans.

30 years ago when I worked at the Ritz Carlton as a line cook, we could get produce from The Chefs Garden (farmer Lee in Ohio) and that was the last time I smelled heirloom tomatoes as good as those grown in my grandmother’s garden.

I’ve been in the kitchen for almost 40 years in and outside the US and all of this experience summed up just to tell you: your tomatoes suck.