Starting It All Off...

Hello and thank you for visiting my Food & Photography blog!  Real quick, my name is Rick, I am 28 years old, I attend school at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and also work full time for a Jeep Aftermarket Parts company in West Chester, PA.  I live in Southeast Pennsylvania, west of Philadelphia.  I'm writing this while watching the Philadelphia Flyers versus Pittsburgh Penguins game.  If I come off as distracted that is because I am!  Let's go Flyers!  (0-0).  Food has always been an enjoyable aspect of life for me.  I've been documenting most of what I eat and drink through Facebook on a regular basis.  This has lead several of my friends to remove me from their news feeds, and even from their friends lists because my photos make them hungry.  I can find solace in the fact that I know precisely how they feel.  I personally cannot watch Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, or one of other countless shows on the Food Network, Travel Channel, and others without stuffing my face.  If I make the mistake of flipping on one of these shows with an empty stomach I do not sit on my couch for long!

I've always had a soft spot for desserts, no pun intended.  Whether in the form of my favorite Swedish Fish Gelati from Rita's Water Ice:

A Maple Creemie from countless stores in and near Burlington, Vermont:

A FroYo from Sweet Endings in Center City, Philadelphia:

Anything from Philly Flavors:

Or the the now vanished Dairy Queen Nerds Blizzard, they all have a space in my heart (and stomach).  An added bonus to my life is my girlfriend of 10 months who is an incredible chef.  Not only can she out-bake anyone I know (Pastries), but she can produce culinary masterpieces with the best of them:

This runs in her family as her father creates some beautifully plated, superbly seasoned, incredibly tasty dishes:

Thankfully, with the power of my many cameras and lenses, you will get to experience these art pieces from time to time.  I also have several friends who are masters of the kitchen, so you will be seeing their productions as well in this blog.  Though I cannot promise daily updates as I am in school and work full time, I will be updating this as often as possible.

I'll close this post with a note and some photos.  The Flyers are winning 3-2 with 4 minutes left in the 2nd period - again - Let's Go Flyers!  And now for your viewing pleasure, lunch courtesy of one of my favorite hoagie places in the area, as well as one of my favorite (Non-alcoholic) drinks:

Photos in this blog were taken with my HTC Thunderbolt 8 Megapixel camera.  Most of my high quality shots will be shot with my Nikon D2x and one of my lenses.  Stay tuned for more food and photography very shortly!