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Spencer McMillin

About Spencer McMillin

By the time he arrived in Memphis in 1989 after a disastrous stint as a New York City bike messenger, Spencer already had six years of restaurant experience under his belt. Forced into the business as a naive 13 year old, he found the rigors of washing dishes, of peeling untold pounds of garlic cloves and prepping speed racks full of clams casino –while constantly reeking of dishwasher chemicals–a delightful way to pay for the things he wanted and make his parents happy. Sitting on the quiet backstairs at Pipinelle’s Italian Restaurant in Franklin, Massachusetts scarfing down ziti parm on break, he fantasized about playing drums in Van Halen and unrealistically impressing girls with his limited cooking skills. Flash forward 37 years…McMillin, now 50, has a lifetime’s accumulation of stories to share from his long career as a dishwasher, prep cook, line cook, sous chef, executive chef, private chef, baker, pastry chef, culinary school instructor, restaurant consultant, magazine writer and author.

December 19, 2021 by Spencer McMillin Leave a Comment

Running Away From Home (Lucky Bounce, Part Two)

Relieved to have mouthed the words, “I’m giving you my two weeks’ notice”, I prepared for the owner’s acceptance or rebuttal.  Either way it went, I didn’t give a fuck.  I was getting off of Planet Chaos. “Oh, NO!  Spencer!  How am I going to keep … [Read more...] about Running Away From Home (Lucky Bounce, Part Two)

Filed Under: Blog

December 8, 2021 by Spencer McMillin Leave a Comment

Running Away From Home (Lucky Bounce, Part One)

  I supposed a recap is in order.   Let me try to tie a quick bow. Itching to get out of Memphis after 31 years to see other parts of the country (and avoid a second Trump term in a red state), Kristin and I whittled away our collective … [Read more...] about Running Away From Home (Lucky Bounce, Part One)

Filed Under: Blog

September 18, 2021 by Spencer McMillin Leave a Comment

Running Away From Home (Dive Bars, Salty Fish and Smeared Entrails)

As we were packing up Fish Camp for the day, the Hot Legs Comedy Show was just getting underway. The MC, an overweight, grandfatherly figure with a Santa beard and faded Hawaiian shirt on was warming up the audience on the back patio near where our … [Read more...] about Running Away From Home (Dive Bars, Salty Fish and Smeared Entrails)

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August 27, 2021 by Spencer McMillin Leave a Comment

Cafe Samovar’s Beet Pkaly (makes about 1 1/2 cups)

Tsilya Sadetsky, owner of Cafe Samovar, is solely responsible for this recipe.   Ingredients: ½ small yellow onion, very small dice 1 clove garlic, finely minced 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 small can whole cooked beets, … [Read more...] about Cafe Samovar’s Beet Pkaly (makes about 1 1/2 cups)

Filed Under: Appetizers, Recipes, Vegetarian

August 14, 2021 by Spencer McMillin 2 Comments

Running Away From Home (Home Base #3 Asheville, NC)

Socially lubricated on mole stout, rillettes and tinned oysters, I walked away from my "interview" with The Chef knowing I got the gig.  We talked charcuterie, New Orleans, staffing issues, product procurement snafus, masks, Spain, pretentious food … [Read more...] about Running Away From Home (Home Base #3 Asheville, NC)

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July 26, 2021 by Spencer McMillin Leave a Comment

Dining During The Apocalypse: Lenoir

To speak ill of Chef Vivian Howard is to speak ill of the south.  She personifies, with a folksy, girl next door vibe, bouncy North Carolina twang and neighborly affect, the small-town life of the rural Carolina coast. One can easily picture her … [Read more...] about Dining During The Apocalypse: Lenoir

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June 16, 2021 by Spencer McMillin Leave a Comment

Running Away From Home (Going Off The Grid)

Kristin’s belting out a convincing Me and Bobby McGee as she packs Peyton’s socks into a clear plastic travel case on the bedroom floor.  That she hasn’t attempted to cash in on her God-given singing talent has always left me confused.  She’s so … [Read more...] about Running Away From Home (Going Off The Grid)

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June 2, 2021 by Spencer McMillin Leave a Comment

Salty Words on Non-Tippers

When it comes time to pay your restaurant bill, do you instinctively default to one of these revealing gems: ‘I don’t believe in tipping.’ ‘In Europe, no one tips.’ ‘I’m sure the restaurant pays their waiters well,’ or similarly, the empty … [Read more...] about Salty Words on Non-Tippers

Filed Under: Blog

May 24, 2021 by Spencer McMillin 1 Comment

Running Away From Home (Exodus)

Moments before we valiantly fought off another tsunami of curious foodies, UNH graduates and their families, Kristin gathered our beloved staff together for a mandatory meeting in the booths.  When she politely demanded that the entire crew—including … [Read more...] about Running Away From Home (Exodus)

Filed Under: Blog

April 4, 2021 by Spencer McMillin Leave a Comment

Dining During the Apocalypse: One Offs, Strip Malls, WTFs

Not all restaurants on the highways and byways of this often beautiful country have proven themselves portentous havens of culinary revelation.  Sometimes it’s the grungy little store front in that cookie cutter strip mall across the way from the Old … [Read more...] about Dining During the Apocalypse: One Offs, Strip Malls, WTFs

Filed Under: Blog

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    Latest Posts

    • Running Away From Home (Lucky Bounce, Part Two)
    • Running Away From Home (Lucky Bounce, Part One)
    • Running Away From Home (Dive Bars, Salty Fish and Smeared Entrails)
    • Cafe Samovar’s Beet Pkaly (makes about 1 1/2 cups)
    • Running Away From Home (Home Base #3 Asheville, NC)

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