dads rock: jeff crump
Filed Under Mamas Rock, Tips & Tricks | June 16, 2010
In honour of Father’s Day this Sunday we wanted to switch things up a little and profile a dad who rocks. So we went to chef Jeff Crump, dad of one and author of Earth to Table – still one of our fave cookbooks – for his perspective on parenting, eating sustainably and raising adventuresome eaters. We’ve gone a little long today too as we’ve got a few different bases to cover:
Crump is the Executive Chef at the Ancaster Mill in Ancaster, Ontario where he lives with his wife and 14-month-old son. Both his restaurant and his book have their roots in “earth to table” cuisine, which is all about sourcing local, seasonal ingredients. Crump’s compelling when he talks the importance of being aware of where our food comes from, “Our current food system is dirty, unsustainable and not particularly tasty. It is important to raise awareness about this issue because the alternative is worse food, inhumanely raised animals and continued destruction of our environment, local economies and children’s health.”
He’s incorporated that awareness into how he feeds his son. “We feed him what we eat. Seasonal food, real food, cooked at home. He eats anything for now but I know he will become picky as his personality develops. I can’t wait till we can garden and cook together. He will have a very good idea of good food as a young man.”
Despite the fact that the restaurant industry isn’t known for being hugely family-friendly, Crump found his working life changed for the better after his son was born. He’s home more, he feels he’s less selfish in general, but he does find the late nights at his restaurant combined with the early mornings with his son one of his challenges.
Because the Ancaster Mill is within walking distance of their home, Crump goes back and forth between home and the restaurant during the day. His wife works part time so when she’s working he’ll often take his son out and about with him for the day. They’ve also just bought a 100 acre farm which is currently in soil rehab and are opening a bakery this summer, but despite that very full plate he never works from home, as “that would be crazy!”
And the best part of being a dad is watching his son grow and learn. “He makes me so happy it brings tears to my eyes. It is hard to describe. I love it all, good and bad.” Though he does have parenting challenges, “Crying/whining fits drive me batty. My wife and I both become overwhelmed at the same time when our son has a meltdown, so no one’s left to have a cool head.”
Find out more about Ancaster Mill at: www.ancastermill.com and Earth to Table at: www.earthtotable.ca
Crump’s tips for entrepreneurial parents:
“Set your priorities and stick to them. Your business will not collapse if you go to the little league game. Have dependable, skilled staff.”
Crump’s tips on raising healthy, adventurous eaters:
“Lead by example. They want what you are eating. I am going to have to give up Coke* because my son reaches for it.”
Know a mama or dad you think rocks? Let us know all about them.
*how glad were we to find out that even food pioneers like Crump don’t eat perfectly all the time?
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