Good Morning Crew
Two San Diego chefs from South Jersey dish about food, family, and what makes for a good morning with your loved ones BY RYA N R I Z Z U T O | P H O T O G R A P H Y BY B H A D R I K U B E N D R A N
I
t turns out that chef Brad Wise and I have a lot in common. We hail from neighboring towns in South Jersey; we consider Italian food our love language; and we were both raised on pork roll, egg, and cheese sandwiches for breakfast. For those who have never had pork roll, you are in for a treat with chef Brad’s Fried Pork Roll with Roasted Potatoes, Fried Eggs, and Grilled Bread. The way the edges of the pork crackle and caramelize in the pan will have you shipping pork roll by the pound to the West Coast. Recently, Wise and I discussed our traditions of cooking breakfast for friends and family during the holiday season. Wise starts his mornings at sunrise by pouring himself a tall, strong cup of coffee and walking the backyard with his daughter Charlie. When the neighborhood is still and the sky’s just turning an illuminating pink, they plan the day ahead, identify various bugs and animals that cross their path, and brainstorm their favorite meal: breakfast. For Charlie, waffles are preferred. For Wise, it’s usually a second cup of coffee and a light bite, if he’s lucky, before heading off to lead the various culinary concepts of Trust Restaurant Group.
In his childhood, Wise’s Cape May, New Jersey, home was the talk of the town for weekend breakfast. His mom was revered for her elaborate spread of corned beef and hash, fat piles of French toast, and, of course, pork roll, egg, and cheese sandwiches. All of Wise’s friends would fight to stay overnight on Fridays knowing that they would awake to the intoxicating smells of his mom’s famous breakfast spread. In San Diego, Wise carries on these traditions and invents new ones with his wife and daughters. This time of year, they love to cruise around the neighborhood on their street-legal golf cart while sipping hot cocoa to view the holiday decorations and lights. On weekend mornings, Wise invites friends and family over to serve up fresh takes on his childhood favorites. His newest winter tradition incorporates grilling and roasting fruits and vegetables over charcoal, and pairing them with glazed smoked pork. In my neck of the woods in New Jersey, I was raised on apple cider doughnuts. These puffy, warm doughnuts are rolled in cinnamon sugar and served with hot coffee or mulled cider. We would buy them by the dozen and my three siblings and I would fight over the crumbs at the bottom of the bag.
From left: Brad Wise adds final touches breakfast. Ryan Rizzuto reduces buttermilk and apple butter for Apple Cider Doughnuts.
10
ediblesandiego.com
