Christian Chefs Newsletter
September, 2001

Subscription/Unsubscription/Contact information can be found near the base of of this newsletter.

MENU du JOUR:
      Appetizer
      Main Course
           Christianity in the Kitchen - "Why, God?"
           CCF Trivia
           Recipe - Sun-Dried Tomato Salsa
           Recent Job Listings - 5 New
      Dessert
           Recipe Contests (For Professionals Only)
           Hints and Tips - Flavorful Vegetables
           Featured Website - kingdomnet.com
           Chef to Chef - Searching for a Career
           A Little Something Extra
           A Merry Heart
      Toothpick

God bless,
Ira Krizo, Director
CCF@ChristianChefs.org

I don't know how many ideas you've heard in the media or from your Christian friends -- I personally have already heard a variety of different answers that people have. But first, we must assess if that is really the question that should've been asked.

Let's look at the question itself. Does the person asking the question even believe God is real? Asking that question would imply there really isn't a God, as they would be instead meaning "God couldn't be real, for if He was, something as horrible as this wouldn't have happened." So if that's the case, what is the standard of morality? And what's their definition of "horrible"? Not having a standard of morality, it's only personal opinion to what their definition of "horrible" is. A much better question possibly would be "Why hasn't all this happened sooner?" Look at our country right now. We claim, as all our money states, that "In God We Trust", but do we really? Godly directives may have been what this country was founded on, but look at it today. Today, it's illegal to share the historically proven gospel of the Bible in public schools in our country, but the unproven theory of evolution is a required topic to cover. In school, being Gay and Lesbian is promoted, while being against it is considered prejudice (just the opposite from not too many years ago). These, premarital sex, and many others similar sins are not even thought twice about in the world today, unfortunately, way too often -- even within the church.

As I truly don't know exactly what the reason for this was, for this or other reasons it even could've been God causing all this to happen. As He is in control of all things (Col 1:16-17), He might not have actually caused it to happen, but there's no question that He did most definitely allow it to happen. It could also be signs of the age, because Jesus says in Matthew 24:42, "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming."

Thank God for keeping us all alive today, especially those who have not yet trusted in Him alone for the eternal life He offers freely. God is continuously pouring out His grace on ALL people, both believers and nonbelievers, allowing us all to be alive right this moment, as He is "upholding all things by the word of His power" (Heb 1:3). There's absolutely no reason other than God why any of us are alive today, and for unbelievers, why they shouldn't already be in hell. I believe that if for no other reason, this is a big wakeup call proving that we can't rely on our powerful governments, military, police, technology, or anything else but God alone for security. These events have served to remind us that all people one day will die, and one reason why we as Christians are set apart from the world in times like this is because we have that greater trust in God above rather than on this perishing world. All who are left alive today have a choice -- whether to live the rest of eternity with Christ in heaven or in eternal damnation elsewhere. But the choice is to be made now, as the grace of God is still keeping alive all who are alive, and there is a point when there will no longer be opportunity for many to make that choice. Because of this ordeal, there are many people in heaven with God right this moment who had accepted Jesus as their personal Savior in the past, but there are probably many more that never made that choice and no longer have that opportunity to change their mind. They might have believed God exists, but as James 2:19 states, "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe - and tremble!"

Hopefully, this catastrophe will lead to a great number of people choosing to get right with God, both in America and around the world -- accepting His good and perfect will for their lives through the free gift of salvation. God explains through Romans 3:23 how "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God", so being "good", and following the law that was set down in the past just doesn't cut it (otherwise we wouldn't have needed Jesus to die for our sins as we could've saved ourselves without His grace), as "No one is good but One, that is, God" (Matthew 19:17). Therefore, let's all humble ourselves and pray for many to repent and for us Christians not to lose our saltiness (Mark 9:50), for many people will be looking at us in the nearby days to come, as we do have THE answer, that being Jesus Christ, as "it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." (Galatians 2:20) So as you chat with all your unsaved friends about the question, just remember that there is hope, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

Ira Krizo

I would like to add that verse in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that says, "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

Notice that the warning is NOT to unbelievers - it's to HIS people who are called by HIS name (ie. Christians). WE'RE the ones who are to humble ourselves and pray and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways. Our unholy ways are what's caused our land to be sick - our namby-pamby or silent reactions to the ungodly ideals that have gradually overtaken the very heart of our nation, our schools, our government, our homes, yes, even our churches. It would seem that God has indeed lifted His hand of protection from us. Christians everywhere ought to be repenting -- and then going forth in renewed holy boldness to unapologetically proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. When God saves us, He doesn't just come in and do "surgery" to cut away the evil within us -- He gives us a totally new "being". He doesn't just give us help from the outside -- He actually lives right inside us through His indwelling Holy Spirit! He saves to the uttermost! Before we can expect to see our land healed, we must come to God, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways. Then God will hear us.

Carol Pinson

*All quotations NKJV unless stated otherwise.

If God is speaking to your heart about these things, and you need somebody to talk with, please don't hesitate to e-mail us about your need and somebody from the Fellowship will contact you as soon as possible. If you have a prayer request or would like to start a theological discussion on this or any other topic please feel free to post it in our Message Boards:
http://www.ChristianChefs.org/forums.html

For our second month of CCF Trivia, here's a food question you might find a bit challenging; so hurry and be one of the first 5 to get the correct answer to us! Last newsletter's trivia answer, with its winners, are posted below.

What is the traditional name of the Greek soup made with chicken broth, egg yolks, lemon juice, and rice called?

E-mail your answer to "trivia@ChristianChefs.org" with "Trivia Answer" in the subject column. Also, please tell us what title (Mr., Ms., Sous Chef, etc.) you would prefer for your name being listed in the next newsletter, as well as how difficult you found the question (so we can make our trivia questions better).

Solution to the last newsletter's trivia question:

The 16 books of the Bible are Mark, Luke, Kings, Acts, Revelation, James, Ruth, Numbers, Job, Amos, Esther, Judges, Titus, Lamentations, Hebrews, and Peter. Find the question here:
http://www.ChristianChefs.org/newsletters/2001/07.html

There were only three who got the answer correct:
1. Quincy Cheek
2. Harry Snyder (Boerne, Texas)
3. Jo Justilien, jojustilien@hotmail.com (Nassau, Bahamas)
4.
5.

Ingredients: 3/4 cup (180 ml) sun-dried tomatoes (in oil), drained, and finely minced
2 anchovy fillets (in olive oil), drained and finely minced
1/2 cup (118 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp (5 ml) finely minced garlic
2 Tbsp (30 ml) finely minced roasted shallot
2-1/2 tsp (12 ml) finely minced fresh thyme leaves
4 tsp (20 ml) finely minced fresh basil leaves
1 Tbsp (15 ml) finely minced fresh Italian parsley
Large pinch of cayenne powder
2 tsp (10 ml) freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp (5 ml) sherry vinegar

Thoroughly combine all the ingredients together in a mixing bowl.

Serving suggestions: With grilled lamb, pasta, or as a sandwich spread.

More information on each of the below Job Listings, such as the job's timeline, responsibilities, pay, and how to contact the employer on each of these, can be found within the Employment area of our website (link below). There you can also find jobs that have been posted in previous months that haven't yet been filled and you can also post any job openings you have to be listed there and in this newsletter for FREE!
http://www.ChristianChefs.org/employment.html

USA:
California (Southern), Assistant Cooks
California (Northern), Head Cook or Chef
New Jersey, Head Chef
Texas, Chef
Iowa, Chef

Please note: Listed here are two contests for PROFESSIONALS ONLY in the culinary industry. There are many more contests available for nonprofessionals as well, some of them ongoing or being repeated on a monthly basis. If you're interested in those, here's one excellent website to check out:
http://www.recipecontests.com

DUNBAR PIMIENTOS "SWEET DISCOVERY" RECIPE CONTEST
Dunbars Pimientos and R&I magazine will sponsor the "Sweet Discovery Recipe Contest" for foodservice professionals. Discover just how versatile pimientos can be and enter by submitting a recipe and a photo of the dish.
DEADLINE: Nov. 28
PRIZES: A Vulcan Hart Range
MORE INFO: Entry form will appear adjacent to the Dunbars Pimientos ad in R&I's August 1, August 15 and September 1 issues of Restaurants and Institutions magazine. Recipe contest entries and requests for complete contest rules should be mailed to "Sweet Discovery Recipe Contest" at Restaurants and Institutions, 1621 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115.

"PLEASE CUSTOMERS WITH PEANUTS" RECIPE CONTEST
Submit a recipe featuring at least 1/3 cup peanuts and or peanut butter as an appetizer, bar snack, main dish, salad or side dish. Open to chefs, educators and culinary students only. Sponsored by the Peanut Advisory Board.
DEADLINE: March 2
PRIZES: Grand Prize: $2,500; Best of Category: $1,000.
WEB SITE: http://www.chefnet.com/WCR/recipecontest.html
MORE INFO: For more info and an entry form, send e-mail to pabnuts@mindspring.com; fax to (770) 998-5962; or mail to PAB, 1025 Sugar Pike Way, Canton, Ga. 30115. Include your name, address, phone/fax number, e-mail.

All contests listed above are provided by the company listed, NOT by CCF. For additional information on each contest, please contact the designated company for that specific listing. Enjoy!

Next time you serve steamed or boiled vegetables, instead of serving them plain, add butter, salt and pepper, and some mixed fresh herbs. If you don't have fresh savory herbs, you can use dried. "Italian Herbs" or "Provencale Herbs" are good dried herb mixtures that match almost all vegetables. Otherwise, use a cooking method that has flavor within itself, such as roasting or grilling, but still season them, even with those methods.

by Ira Krizo

If you know of any great hints or tips, please post them in the "Hints and Tips" area of the Message Boards. Of the ones posted there, one will be featured here.
http://www.ChristianChefs.org/forums.html

FREE BIBLE (AND OTHER CHRISTIAN) SOFTWARE OFFERED ON THIS SITE

You might have the greatest Bible in the world and yet you still have trouble finding the exact verse or passage you're looking for. And occasionally, searching through an exhaustive concordance may not even help. So here's a good way to put all that wonderful power your computer affords you to work! This website offers many versions of Bibles available for FREE download. It also offers other Christian freeware for your PC and YES, there are even some free downloads for your Palm Pilot there!

Submitted by Carol Pinson

Searching for a Career

I am currently in culinary school and I am really confused about where I want to work in this industry one day. Other than cooking I am interested in weightlifting and nutrition. I would like to know if there is a place for a culinary graduate to work in these areas. I was thinking maybe some professional sports programs. Also some advice on a culinary business/profession where tremendous aren't required. Any advice will help.
Your brother in Christ,
Hayden Hall

This quote taken from the "Culinary Q&A" section of CCF's message boards:
http://www.ChristianChefs.org/forums.html

If you're searching for particular instructions or cooking techniques or maybe have a special need, you can post these on our message boards. If you've done that and are still in need, please e-mail us and let us know so that we may highlight that need in this section of our next newsletter.

Jesus promised those who would follow Him only three things...that they would be absurdly happy, entirely fearless, and always in trouble.

by Gregg Levoy

Grandma's Cake!

A little boy is telling his Grandma how "everything" is going wrong -- school, family problems, severe health problems, etc.

Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake. She asks her grandson if he would like a snack, which of course he does.

"Here, have some cooking oil," she says.
"Yuck," says the boy.
She then says, "How about a couple of raw eggs?"
"Gross, Grandma!" he replies.
"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe some baking soda?" she asks.
"Grandma, those are ALL yucky!" he says
To which Grandma replies, "Yes, all those things seem bad by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!"

God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him, and eventually they will all make something wonderful! (author unknown)

Submitted by Carol Pinson

Donations are sincerely and deeply appreciated and may be sent to the below address. The following link leads to our "Finances" webpage, where you can find how all CCF's finances are handled:
http://www.ChristianChefs.org/finances.html

Note: To view our archived newsletters, go HERE

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http://www.ChristianChefs.org/subscribe.html

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God Bless,
Ira Krizo, Director
Christian Chefs Fellowship
CCF@ChristianChefs.org
http://www.ChristianChefs.org
Phone: (909) 696-3930
Fax: (508) 462-1068

Christian Chefs Fellowship
c/o Ira Krizo
7890 Co. Rd. 120
Tulelake, CA 96134
USA