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    Robert Reynolds – Portland Teacher, Mentor Dies

    By CuisineBonneFemme Last Update June 30, 2020 9 Comments

    Chef Robert Reynolds, PortlandChef Robert Reynolds, who passed away this morning after a struggle with cancer, was known to many affectionately as “Row-Bear”. Over the years, he touched almost everybody in Portland’s food scene.

    We can thank Robert for his part in pushing Portland into becoming a stronger and more professional food city. From his work running his Chef Studio, to his workshops, classes, intimate dinners, and elegant writing, Robert’s passion for food, perfection and la joie de vie ran deep. He was one of a kind, with an unwavering vision for teaching, not just cooking.

    I was not close to Robert Reynolds, but did socialize and work with him on occasion, and every single encounter with him mattered. From seeing him at the Portland Farmers market where he would spend hours looking for THE PERFECT tomato, or his instructions on how to cook, “don’t just follow directions, use all your senses, feel as much as you taste,” he did not take food or life for granted – everything mattered. He could be a gentle bear when you needed it, coaxing you out of a funk with a glass of Bordeaux and a cheese plate; or, once when I was rushing and focused on too many things at a time, he tested me. “What’s the seasoning in this dish?” Robert challenged our dinner party. I blurted out an answer, but was quickly given the equivalent of a slap on the wrist. “No, no no, slow down, smell it. Look at it. You need to concentrate and experience this.” Of course he was right.

    It’s those kinds of lessons that stick with you. Slow down, don’t rush, do things right, enjoy, taste. That was Robert’s way.

    “An Excuse to be Together” – is Robert’s tome to food, living and his philosophy. As we busy ourselves with work, travel, and all the distractions of daily living, it is important to remember that food brings us together. Robert is over many of us still, connecting us and reminding us the things important in life are the bonds that we form and the excuses to be together.

    Chef Robert Reynolds. Your imprint remains strong. You bring us together.

     

    Related

    Category: Portland Food and Restaurant News and Discussion. More about Robert Reynolds.

    About CuisineBonneFemme

    Lizzy writes about the types of food she likes to cook the most; simple dishes based on the freshest ingredients and gently coaxed to bring out their best qualities. Things like roast chicken with crackling skin, meat stews, all kinds of soups, and anything on toast. You know, peasant food like your French/Southern/Thai/Lebanese Mother might make.

    In her past she held many a food service job, from a high-end traditional Japanese restaurant to a grease-pit diner off of Interstate 5. And she claims to still have nasty case of espresso wrist from the 10 billion lattes she made during her barista years.

    Lizzy has an educational background that includes food sciences and politics, and has been a past writer for both cultural and academic publications. She takes a big picture view of the role that all things gastronomic are having in shaping the economy, culture, identity, and ever changing food scene both here and elsewhere. She believes Portland is at a pivotal and creative time food wise, and is constantly amazed and surprised at the bounty our city has to offer.

    Previous Post: « Goodbye “anonymous”: Robert Reynolds Dies
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. culinary kitten says

      August 28, 2012 at 2:10 pm

      what a lovely remembrance.. thank you for sharing this.

      Reply
    2. alice nmcguire says

      June 23, 2020 at 1:32 pm

      I am a former student of roberts in niort and paris and in le trou where i trained and worked for a year.

      Reply

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