Jan n Mike

Our great friends from New Jersey are in Kansas City this weekend for a family reunion. Pat and I joined Jan and Mike for a fantabulous dinner and great conversation at the Justus Drug Store--a restaurant on Thursday night. We pretty much ate everything on the menu. Sous chef and Claire's friend Doug made our hors d'oevres and salads. General manager and owner Camille Eklaf waited our table and we enjoyed gossiping about the Missouri foodie network with executive chef and owner Jonathan Justus. It is always awesome to see Jan and Mike, and the meal was much more than an amuse-bouche.

Since we were in Kansas City, we had to watch the Skills USA national baking and culinary finals and cheer for our local team. Claire competed in the national baking finals two years ago, and her friend Doug, yes the same Doug, competed in the national culinary finals. Both Claire and Doug are prodigies of the Columbia Area Career Center culinary and baking programs. This year, the Columbia Area Career Center produced the culinary state champion for the eighth year in a row, and the third straight baking champion. Chefs Brook Harlan, Carri Risner and Jeff Rayl run an outstanding program. This year, Rachel was the national champion in culinary and Meghan finished second in baking! Congratulations Rachel and Meghan! Congratulations Chefs!