When the news came that Robert Reynolds of The Chef Studio had died, there was a pause in the Portland food scene. Though everyone had known it was coming, it was still a shock when it happened. There was a quiet moment to reflect; no one rushed to post the news, because that would make it true; Robert really would be gone.
Robert Reynolds will be remembered as a chef, instructor, and mentor, but to me, he was “anonymous”.
Back in early 2006, I started getting emails from a reader with very strong, and somewhat French, opinions. He went by the name “anonymous”. We developed an online friendship, chatting back and forth on weighty questions such as “should reviews have a rating” – of course, he was strongly in favor of the French 20 point system, Whole Foods Markets, foie gras, the ethics of reviewing, little gossipy bits, and from our very first exchange, how cooking brings people together.
What Robert forgot to take into consideration, is that he used the same email address elsewhere. In 2007 when he sent out invites to an event at Cork, I realized who he was.
He had a way of getting right to the point. I’ve gotten two-page angry emails from readers that said less than Robert could in one short paragraph. When he thought I was wrong, I’d get an email; concise and to the point. When Robert agreed, I’d get a few simple lines. After one review he wrote:
i like this piece
it’s reassuring to know we’re not completely homogenized
thanks for sending it
robert
I still have one email he sent when we were discussing foie gras which I don’t think he’d mind me sharing –
… What makes anyone think the cauliflower doesn’t react when it’s lopped off the stalk? These arguments should be aimed where it matters – for example, love food and its ability to bring us together around a table; respect how it’s produced from seed to plate; and mix pleasure and pain only when you’re into S&M, then negotiate with the rest of us whether, and how, we want to participate.
signedAn “I love foie gras” t-shirt wearer.
kathleen mazzocco says
One of my fondest memories is of when I posted a review on your site, under a nom de plume, and later was told by Robert that someone had finally told the truth about the institution. “That was YOU?” he said. He was just as delighted as I.
Food Dude says
I bet I know which one ;) He would agree!
Heather Scheer says
Thank you for writing this lovely tribute to a truly wonderful man. Robert will be so very missed.
Food Dude says
Thank you. I will really miss our email exchanges
Bruce Bauer says
Perfect , FD. So many good thoughts about Robert here as well. I’ll never forget when he invited me down the street to lunch at the studio. I put the “back in one hour” on the door at VINO, and an hour after that one hour ended I walked back to work full happy, and feeling so fortunate to have Robert as a business neighbor and friend. Rest in peace, good sir. Your generosity and spirit will be missed.
Nobody says
Very nice send off.
facebook_wundermunk says
This is a lovely piece. I could hear Robert’s voice in your quotes and it made me tear up a little for the first time since I’d heard he died. I couldn’t quite grasp his death but in your lovely details I suddenly felt “him” and the loss. Thank you.
Food Dude says
Thank you