We were invited by Carlson Companies to do a portrait of Chef Paul Lynch at their famous FireLake Grill House. Chef Paul is known for his rustic heartland classics grilled over a custom built wheel grill, it looks like something from a Jean-Pierre Jeunet film. As we’re setting up Chef Paul puts a steak, a Salmon filet and a hamburger on the grill fired by hickory, alder and mesquite hardwood and tells us of the importance of using regional products on the menu. I’m shooting and he’s cooking and when I’m done he plates up a Bacon Wrapped Eichtens Buffalo Ribeye with fingerling potatoes and Amablu cheese, creme fraiche, scallions and Hardwood Grilled Pesto Salmon with cheddar herbed mashed potatoes with tomato basil relish and Mesquite Grilled Filet of Angus Beef Tenderloin with cheddar herbed mashed potatoes and Fresh Herb Rotisserie Chicken with cheddar herbed mashed potatoes, natural jus and finally a Backyard Cheese burger with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato with mustard, mayo and Chef Paul said “enjoy”!
I made many great images that day and he made two assistants very happy.
The next day we were invited to Carlson Companies T.G.I. Fridays to photograph Brian Zachau the 6 time U.S. Bartender Champion. Of course we show up at happy hour and we have to stake out our territory so that I have the angles that I need. Brian shows up with his airbrushed World champion shirt and begins to juggle and do pours straight out of the movie “Cocktail” . We finished up and my assistants are hoping that there will be a repeat of yesterdays generosity. Luckily that wasn’t the case, we still had a lot of equipment to put away.
