The original concept for the Culinary Cowboys was all about a guy’s night out on the town. Jeff Marmins wanted to chronicle an evening of good friends having fun. Our dining experience became the centerpiece for a food & social scene review.
So we brainstormed a brand, and since the Dining Diva’s was taken and a little whippy for a group of guys, we trotted out “The Culinary Cowboys.” Funny thing is, only one of us has any real rodeo experience, and that would be Buck. Yes our pal Buck was a genuine PRCA steer wrestler. However, Jeff, Adam and I have all worked at the Folsom Rodeo…does that count? July 4th every year!
Our Cowboy view point is simple. We really love eating out, and sharing the experience with you, our reader. Our reviews usually center around people first, then food. The experience of the evening is also very significant. I’m fairly sure that’s why Jeff wanted a limo for our reviews, which we call rides or, it’s our affinity for Fat Tire Ale.
Recently the Culinary Cowboys gathered at favorite watering hole, Balcony Bistro in Folsom’s Historic District. We were immediately greeted as family by owner-manager Rhonda, and chef owner Gerard. Before we realized it, Rhonda had a 2001 Sogno Reserve Merlot on the table –EXCELLENT. Sogno, is Italian for the “Dream.” Soon the Asian Platter Appetizers arrived along side cowboy favorite crab cakes which look like a snowball crab dumpling from a jello mold. These appetizers get our highest rating.
Dinner and desert progressed at a perfect pace with top server Kat keeping a watchful eye on everything. Periodically Gerard would wander out of the kitchen and check-in as well. We were treated to all manner of beef, fowl and bouillabaisse….Adam said it best, “Any of them will bake your noodle.” Buck rated this as the best meal all year, everyone agreed, fantastic food, and top notch service. We had no less than 6 dessert samplings between us and highly recommend the Lavender Crème Brule; a gazillion Culinary Cowboy Horseshoes for ingenuity.
In no particular order, who are the Cowboys?
Real Cowboy (retired) Buck owns Home Instead Senior Care which provides a variety of services for seniors so they can stay in their own homes. On a more personal note, Buck covets ridiculously powerful custom motorcycles. Big family guy Buck is also known to serve a wicked Mojito at his legendary Empire Ranch parties. He’s often seen pacing the sidelines of his daughter Kayla’s Volleyball games.
Next up, Mr. Internet, Adam Frick who created www.Folsomliving.com the premiere online resource guide for Folsom. This former Intel drop out turned entrepreneur makes his mortgage payment by providing a community clearing house of: event calendars, real-estate listings, movie times, restaurant reviews all in one spot. If you ask Adam why he created Folsomliving.com, he’ll tell you, “to help local businesses connect with customers and cash in on internet searches.” Adam spends most of his free time with sons AJ & Aidan.
A friend to all the cowboys, Jeff was our common link. He’s the kinda guy you invite to coffee when you want to talk out life decisions. Jeff develops resources and builds relationships under the umbrella of MarminsGroup. His current projects include American Red Cross workplace training and the Folsom Lake College Fine and Performing Arts Center. Jeff, wife Liz, and daughter Hannah live near Folsom Lake to support Jeff’s stunt kite habit.
Lastly, I round out the cowpokes, as comic side kick and chief scribe. I own Laughter Works Seminars. For the past twenty years I have earned my living talking about humor for corporate types who need to lighten up. For fun, I like to raise money--Mercy Hospital, Folsom Lake College, The History Museum, Folsom Lake Symphony Orchestra. Last year Jeff, Adam and I created the Landing for Life Team which is funding the helicopter landing pad at Mercy Hospital Folsom.
The Cowboys dig full-size, unique toys, both new and old. We can’t stop yakking about the latest Treo, Tivo, Big Screen, Big Block, techno-power-kewl-gear-who-ha what-ever is new on the market. Food wise we are as diverse as guys can get. Buck likes Sushi, Jeff’s all about BBQ, and Adam and I really don’t care a lot, so long as beer is involved.
The common denominator for the Cowboys seems to be cold beer, good friends and great food served by amazing people. Oh, and a sense of humor helps too, the cowboys are known to tease a bit, (rumor has it our photographer from this ride, Christopher Olszewski) has been in therapy since our last outing). So we may be looking for someone who can handle a Nikon, applications can be sent to www.culinarycowboys.com
Co-author Cowboys
Jim “I ate something funny” Pelley of Laughter Works Seminars,
Jeff “Sourdough” Marmins of MarminsGroup LLC,
Buck Shaw (‘cuz his name is already Buck) of Home Instead Senior Care, and
Adam “lettuce soup” Frick, of Folsomliving.com
