A Visiting Artist Comments on the Food

I was treated to the most wonderful cuisine for two weeks as a teaching artist at Camp Ballibay this summer. Aside from the personal glorious luxury of not having to shop, cook or clean-up, I ate with gusto every day. The food served to all campers, faculty and staff was fresh, ...ripe, colorful, plentiful and prepared with absolute care. Sugary or empty calorie snacks were only passed out in tiny increments...

 

The sheer variety of dishes available at every meal was amazing, with just the right amount of tradition for those fussy eaters and tasty spices for the more adventurous types. the menu variation within the week was never repetitive or boring: pastas, whole grains, chicken, stuff that kids like such as pizza [and] burgers... and always a complete salad bar, or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. We had just the right amount of sweets, tiny brownies, lemon bars or homemade cookies, usually after lunch, with mostly fruit for dessert in the evening. During the second week I discovered the homemade lemonade or ice teas available at every luncheon. For breakfast we always had oatmeal and fruit, sometimes eggs or pancakes, bagels or french toast would make an appearance, or homemade apple muffins. The coffee made me have a cup at every meal, sometimes two in the morning, it was sooooo good. I usually drink just one cup a day, but this stuff was addictive.

 

Somehow, in spite of stuffing myself at almost every meal, I didn't gain any weight! Must have been all the running up and down hills, taking five or six dance classes a day, or that fresh PA mountain air! I did share a cabin with the assistant chef Dr. Susan Rubin, a nutritionist and author, who told me many interesting facts about food, for example: butter does not make you fat, it's something we need to eat! I say Hallelujeah, I love butter! Dr. Rubin is a very knowledgeable lady, and though I didn't get as close to knowing the main lady chef running the kitchen, I have great respect for the way she directed the entire kitchen team to honor us all with such beautifully prepared comestibles!

 

Thank you so much, it was a great treat!

Maya de Silva Chafe, visiting artist & camp mom - NY, NY.