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Hello my Foodie Friends!

Welcome to the 163rd Anniversary of the Saratoga Race Course - the racing season is on!

Along with excitement that attracts individuals from all over the world, the Saratoga Race Course provides an original beauty that no set designer could reproduce. Films such as Seabiscuit, Saratoga, The Horse Whisperer, Billy Bathgate, Ghost Story, and My Old Man, have beautifully featured the Saratoga Race Course, and Ian Fleming chose to set a scene in the James Bond novel, Diamonds are Forever, at the Saratoga Race Course as well.

In 1999, Saratoga Race Course was rated by Sports Illustrated #10 Sports Venue of the 20th Century. Many people come to not only be part of the atmosphere of our country’s oldest track, but to also admire the beauty of the racing horses. The horses are amazing to watch; they are truly spectacular animals. I always catch my breath at the majestic beauty of the horses that come to Saratoga Springs to race. Along with a track that attracts individuals from all over the world, the Saratoga Race Course provides an original beauty that with the passage of time continues to get prettier every year. Although I’ve only lived in the area for 29 years, my brothers and sisters know the track very well. During my childhood in the 60s and 70s, it was mostly myself and my two brothers, coming to Saratoga with my dad as one of his stops on the way to my grandmother’s house in Vermont for about 16 years in a row. Even though it was an hour out of our way, my dad knew it was the only way he could visit Saratoga every summer without mom ever knowing.

Did you know that 2026 is the year of the Horse (according to the Chinese Zodiac cycle)? What better place to celebrate horses than in Saratoga Springs, especially in the summer. “Health, History, and Horses” is our local motto that represents Saratoga Springs. Racing and equestrian art capture the beauty of horses within our community. A charming example of local equestrian art is a cutting board from wood artist Adam Cielinski, made right here in Saratoga Springs! We have a diverse assortment of food safe cutting and serve boards that are made with a Saratogian flare.

At Compliments to the Chef, we love wood cutting boards. Good hard woods such as oak, maple, walnut, ash, and cherry are tough cutting surfaces that have been used for centuries to cut food or butcher meat on.  A good cutting board properly maintained can last a lifetime and they are safer than plastic, which if left wet, or isn’t sanitized can harbor bacteria. Some of the reasons for this are:

  • Plastic is not water-absorbent, so it stays wet longer, which means longer bacterial survival.
  • Wood is water-absorbent, so it dries faster, which means shorter bacterial survival.
  • Wood contains natural antibiotic agents that retard bacterial growth.

Adam’s boards are part of Saratoga Springs’ Art History. They are each unique with no two being the same. We have boards shaped like horse heads, pigs, guitars, violins, hearts, bears, fish, whales, apples, owls, ducks, and handled serving boards. The good news is they are reasonably priced too. Wood cutting boards have been in my family for generations and we hand them down.  Stop in and pick up a piece of Saratoga History and have something that you can hand down in your family.    

A little advice on their care:

  • Dry the board immediately after (hand) washing
  • Once a month, rub the board with oil, to keep it water-repellent and warp-free. Apply a coat of warm food-safe mineral oil, let soak in, and then wipe off the excess.
  • Scratches can be sanded out then re-oiled.

To further add to your equestrian spirit, we carry horse head, horse, and horseshoe cookie cutters, along with a limited edition of Horse Embossed Staub Dutch Ovens. Celebrate the Year of the Horse in style with Staub's collectible enameled cast-iron pans, featuring an intricately embossed equine portrait on the lid.

This summer, stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery Store located at 33 Railroad Place. Choosing an Adam Cielinski wood cutting board can make a great “Saratoga” themed gift to bring to family or friends or it can be one for your own home! Bring a horse head to celebrate the racing season to gift to an equestrian, or choose one that may reflect a special love or hobby of the person you are buying for. They are simply beautiful and functional.

Remember my Foodie Friends:
“Life Happens in the Kitchen.”

Enjoy Saratoga Springs this summer and take advantage of the incredible offerings in our wonderful community!

Take Care,

John & Paula

Chicken Pesto Pasta

Recipe courtesy of Taylor Ann Spencer Delish Test Kitchen at delish.com

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 (8-oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into
    1" pieces
  • Kosher salt
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1/4 tsp. crushed
    red pepper flakes

  • 1 3/4 cups water
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 8 oz. penne pasta
  • 1 oz. Parmesan, finely grated (about 1/2 cup)
  • 2/3 cup store-bought or homemade pesto
  • Fresh basil, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. In a medium skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add chicken; season with 3/4 tsp. salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and an instant-read thermometer registers 160°,
4 to 5 minutes total. Transfer to a plate.

2. In same skillet over medium heat, cook garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add water, cream, and 1/2 tsp. salt and bring to a simmer. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and liquid is reduced to a sauce that coats the pasta, 8 to 10 minutes.

3. Stir in Parmesan and chicken and toss until cheese is melted and chicken is warmed through, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and fold in pesto; if sauce feels dry, add water, 1 Tbsp. at a time, until a creamy sauce forms. Season with more salt, if needed. Top with basil (if using).