Comfort Food on the Menu during Uncertain Times

When in doubt, Chef Alex Baker recreates favorite dishes at home to bring a sense of routine.

May 01, 2020

Executive Chef Louis Kurz and Chef de Cuisine Alex Baker create culinary magic at Black Sheep Restaurant.

Born and raised in Jacksonville, Alex Baker is Chef de Cuisine at Black Sheep Restaurant in Five Points. Accustomed to the hustle and bustle of his shifts at the restaurant, the stay-at-home mandate has caused a change to his daily schedule. Even with the possibility of reopening the business, Baker still feels the uncertainty associated with life during a pandemic. Like all of us, the chef is ready to sit at the table with family and friends. Until then, he has settled on the satisfaction of cooking at home, drawing on memories of past gatherings.

********

During the fear and uncertainty of these times that are upon us it’s hard to know what to do or how to feel. I am a cook. I live to cook and be creative with food all in the hopes to bring people together and enjoy a good meal with one another. In a blink of an eye my world has changed along with so many others who are in the hospitality industry. With everything that is happening I crave comfort.

The food that brings me comfort right now is my mom's meatballs with red sauce and fresh bread. The smell of the warm yeasty bread proofing brings me right back to my childhood dinner table; sitting with my mom watching her grate the onions and chop the garlic and herbs that are destined for the freshly ground pork and beef. Those meatballs and bread bring memories of joy and love, something I appreciate during such a scary time. Those smells and flavors bring me back to gathering around the table, having great conversations with my family and deep belly laughs while sharing an incredible meal.

So right now we may not be able to get together but I can make some fresh bread and meatballs to give me the comfort I need to keep going through this, although it’s never as good as Mom's!