Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Soon to Announce White House Run, Sows ...
Lofty Dreams
Nick Rhinehart made his childhood dream happen. The professional cook is pictured with parmesan crusted scallops with roasted red pepper risotto, philly cheesesteak baked potato and blackened mahi mahi with cilantro rice and Vera Cruz relish. Photos by Beverly Kehe-Rowland
By the time Nick Rhinehart last appeared on this page on July 13, 2002, at the age of 14, he had already been telling his family for 11 years that he was going to work in a restaurant. Throughout the years he cooked with his grandmother, Audrey Rhinehart, and by the time he was 8 or 9 years old he had raised his ambitions to become a restaurant owner. The Cattaraugus resident stayed true to the pledge he made at 3 years of age, starting with a dishwashing job at the former Victory Gardens Restaurant when he was 15. Before long, he was running the deep fryers for the eating establishment. At the age of 16 he visited his cousin, who was a chef at a country club in Baton Rouge. While there the cousin encouraged the young man to write a lunch menu, giving him a feel for what it would be like to work in the business.
Rhinehart has come a long way since those days, but not by chance. He began his education in the Culinary Arts program at Ellicottville BOCES, where he met his future wife, Ashley. During his high school years, he won first-place in a food preparation assistance competition through Industrial Club of America. Both he and Ashley continued their education at Louisiana Culinary Institute in Baton Rouge. While in Louisiana, Nick worked in several food service establishments, enabling him to learn tricks and techniques from various people.
"Everyone makes their gumbo in different ways," he says.
Because Cajun and French cooking are prevalent in Louisiana, they have had a great influence on what he does. He especially enjoys making soups and sauces and believes he has gotten quite accomplished at preparing seafood.
His grandmother is gone now, but she lived to see him achieve his first goal. He uses the professional set of knives she and her husband, Hobart Rhinehart, presented him when he graduated from LCI. His grandparents were great encouragers throughout his college years.
When Nick Rhinehart appeared on this page on July 13, 2002 at the age of 14, he had already been planning his future. Photo by the late Jack Berger
Rhinehart currently holds the position of Cook 2 at Seneca-Allegany Casino's fine dining restaurant, Western Door Steakhouse, having been employed by the casino since March 2010.
Cooking not only serves as his livelihood, as the culinarian uses it in his recreational time and for family and friend activities. He has done some catering, chicken barbecues and pig roasts since leaving college and will be catering an upcoming wedding this summer. His brother, a friend and he and his wife have season tickets for the Bills football games. He talks about the fun time they had last season at a very snowy Colts game. They often take a refrigerated trailer to the games, where they can do some serious tailgating. The group of friends purchased a pig to roast for the first game of 2016. He and his father slept in a tent while manning the rotisserie/smoker for the required 20 hour cook time.
He says there is a good possibility that wine-making will be a summer project this year.
Rhinehart is a member of Cattaraugus Volunteer Fire Department where he served as president for four years and is currently on the Board of Directors for the Firemen's Club. He enjoys hunting deer and says he and his father "break down the deer ourselves." He has a large dehydrator, grinder and wood burning smoker he uses for making jerky and sausage.
"I didn't get a deer this year, so I didn't make any jerky," he says.
He has been experimenting with the smoker, recently using it to smoke chicken on Super Bowl Sunday. He gets together with some buddies every other week to play Texas Hold'em.
The family recently purchased and moved into a three-bedroom, two-story home in September. They painted every room in the house, after Rhinehart and his father replastered the walls. The father and son team also took out the kitchen and dining room flooring, replacing it with a marble-like tile and took down suspended ceilings and replaced them with drywall. Rhinehart replumbed the entire house after watching demonstrations on YouTube. In the home's dining room, his beloved grandmother's china cabinet with curved glass, displays a large set of English china he received from her friend, the late Madora Ball of Otto.
Although Ashley earned a Culinary Arts degree while at LCI, she is not employed in the food service field, but is an administrative assistant at Tri-County Family Medicine Associates in Gowanda.
Tanner, the couple's two-year old son, likes to help his father crack and stir eggs and help run the blender.
"Not sure I want him to go into the profession where you don't have holidays and weekends off," says his dad.
The family attends Immanuel Lutheran Church in Otto.
Most of the recipes offered were developed by the cook, were a combination of more than one recipe or were recipes the cook found and changed to his liking.
"I never follow a recipe as written," he says. "I always change it unless I'm at work and then I have to follow it."
He came up with the Philly Cheese Steak Baked Potato recipe on the job in order to use up prime rib and some other products.
"Whenever I make a recipe, I usually have an abundance of something I need to use."
He made Parmesan Crusted Scallops and Buffalo Chicken Wing Soup five or six times each before he wrote the recipes. The soup won first place when he entered it in a local church cook-off fundraiser for a library. The Pineapple Chicken Salad were made by him and his cousin, Eddie Rhinehart, on a New Orleans TV News Channel.
Pineapple Chicken Salad
1/4 c French dressing
1 qt chicken
3 c celery, sliced
3/4 c green pepper, diced
1 1/2 c mayonnaise
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp white pepper
1/2 tsp onion juice
1 tsp lemon juice
20 oz sliced pineapple, halved
romaine lettuce leaves
mayonnaise
sour cream
crushed pineapple
carrot, ripe olives, green pepper, almond garnish, optional
Cook and cube chicken. Marinate chicken in French dressing for 1-2 hours. Mix celery, green pepper, mayo, salt, pepper, onion juice and lemon juice with chicken
Scoop 1/2 cup salad into small bowls that have been lined with the lettuce leaves. Arrange 2 pineapple rings around each salad. Garnish with carrot curls, ripe olives, green pepper rings and diced almond. Serve with dressing of crushed pineapple mixed with mayonnaise & sour cream.
Blackened Chicken Pesto Pasta
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 pts heavy cream
8 oz classic pesto
4 oz parmesan cheese
4 chicken breasts
blackening seasoning, to taste
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
16 oz penne pasta, cooked
Season chicken breast with blackening seasoning. Set aside. In a large skillet, cook down the cream and garlic. Add pesto sauce, 2 cheese, salt and pepper. Simmer until thickened. Cook chicken on the grill until done. Slice chicken, toss with pesto mixture and pasta.
Philly Cheese Steak Baked Potato
4 large potatoes
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 lb flank steak
1 large onion, sliced
1 large red bell pepper, sliced
1 large green bell pepper, sliced
1/2 c milk or more
1/2 T butter
4 c shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Wrap potatoes in foil (optional). Line baking sheet with potatoes and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until done. In small bowl, combine dry ingredients and season flank steak liberally. In a large skillet, sear flank steak. Cook to medium rare (warm with red middle) or desired doneness. Remove from skillet to cool. When cool, slice into thin strips. In same large skillet, add onion and peppers. Saute until tender. When potatoes are done, cut in half & scoop out the center, saving the skin. In a large bowl, combine potato, onion mixture, steak, milk (may need more for desired consistency), butter and three cups cheese. Fill skins with potato mixture. Top with remaining cheese and bake at 350 degrees until cheese is melted.
Parmesan Crusted Scallops
1/2 c bread crumbs
1/2 c grated parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black
1/2 T parsley
16 large (24 oz) scallops
1 lemon
1 1/2 T oil
In a medium bowl, combine bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and parsley. Set aside. Pat scallops dry with a paper towel. Squeeze juice from lemon over scallops. Coat scallops liberally with dry mix. Add oil to large skillet and heat. Add scallops to pan and brown each side. This should take 2-3 minutes. Cook to desired doneness. DO NOT overcook or scallops will be rubbery.
Roasted Red Pepper Risotto
1 T oil
1/2 medium onion, diced
1 c Arborio rice
1/2 c white wine
2 1/2 c chicken stock, divided
6 oz roasted red pepper puree or to taste
salt
1/2 c parmesan cheese, grated
Heat oil to large saute pan. Add onion and saute until golden brown. Add Arborio rice and wine. Cook until all wine has been absorbed by rice. Add half of the stock to the rice mixture. Let rice absorb stock. Continue to slowly add rest of stock making sure all stock is absorbed. Add pureed roasted bell pepper to rice. Season with salt to taste and fold in parmesan cheese.
Buffalo Chicken Wing Soup
1/2 c butter
4 stalk celery, diced
1 medium onion, diced
2 medium carrots, diced
1/2 T garlic, minced
1/2 c flour
7 c milk
1 whole rotisserie chicken, shredded
3 c cheese, shredded
1/2 c hot sauce or desired amount
Melt butter in soup pot. Add celery, onion, carrots and garlic. SautÈ until tender. Add flour to make a roux. Once vegetable have a good roux coating, add milk.
After milk has become heated add chicken and cheese. Once cheese is melted, add hot sauce.
Blackened Mahi Mahi with Cilantro Rice and Vera Cruz Relish Vera Cruz:
1 T oil
1/2 medium onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tomatoes, diced
1/2 c green olives, sliced
1/3 c capers
1/2 tsp oregano
Heat oil in large saute pan. SautÈ onion and garlic until tender. Add remaining ingredients and cook until liquid is reduced.
Mahi Mahi:
4-8 oz mahi mahi filets
blackened seasoning to taste
2 T oil
Coat each mahi mahi filet liberally with seasoning. Heat oil in large saute pan. Add filets and sear both sides. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes, depending on size of filet.
Cilantro Rice:
1 bunch fresh cilantro
1/2 c water
1 p rice
2 c water
juice of 1 lemon
Puree cilantro with 1/2 cup water. In a pot, bring cilantro puree, 2 c water & lime juice to a boil. Add rice. Reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer covered for 7-10 minutes. Fluff rice with fork.
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More Than Jokes: Healthy Laughter Aims To Close Racial Equity Gap In Health Through Comedy
Akintunde Warnock has a lot going on. In fact, he's doing what most Black creatives do in Columbia: he's multitasking and juggling multiple titles.
For the past 20 years, he has been known as a Christian comedian, getting his start in traditional comedy houses. He now predominately performs in churches and theaters, and keeps his comedy clean.
The famously syndicated "Showtime at the Apollo," the BET Awards, and "The Monique Show" sit on his resume; he's credited as a writer for these well-known programs. He even has a digital series ("The Akintunde Show") that attracts millions of views — 2.9 million in total, according to Warnock.
Akintunde is a star. But he isn't letting his light keep — or distract him — from his community.
Akintunde Warnock of Healthy Laughter
Jared Johnson Hardy-har-healthA lot of people (myself included) think Healthy Laughter is a health initiative or community health event. It is, but it's so much more. Warnock's latest project is a television series, too.
"It's a flat-foot standup comedy show with a little bit of sketch," Warnock explained. "But it's health focused. Opposed to a comedian doing a joke about his wife or his kids … which he might do that … he'll be talking more about their health journey."
The series stars comedians who have had catastrophic health issues; two of the show's comedians had strokes. This might explain Warnock's motivation to incorporate community health screenings into the work of Healthy Laughter.
On Sept. 16, Warnock and his company held a neighborhood health event and partnered with Prisma Health and local organizations like ABLE South Carolina, SC Works and the South Carolina Association of Community Action Partnerships.
The Healthy Laughter comedy show included health screenings, food trucks and a panel focused on Black health and wellness
Jared Johnson"I want people to take advantage of opportunities like today when we're having these health screenings. Come out and actually get screened," Warnock told Free Times at the event. "Prisma Health did a great job today and they say they exceeded their numbers … but we could've gotten double that if people would have taken advantage of it more rapidly."
Prisma Health was on-site for five hours performing screenings and connecting with community members.
No laughing matterHealth is a laughing matter for Warnock. He's a comedian, it's expected. But he is serious about breaking through and reaching Black folks about personal health. He's using the gift of comedy to bring the group's attention to something that isn't a laughing matter.
Black people are the demographic most likely to experience health issues, insurance troubles and have a shorter life expectancy, according to research from independent health newsroom KFF.
"Focus on your health. Take responsibility for your health … with your foods…your rest, your stress ... Not letting people stress you out," Warnock offered. "Literally doing the due diligence to make sure we live longer."
The Healthy Laughter comedy show included health screenings, food trucks and a panel focused on Black health and wellness
Jared JohnsonWarnock isn't alone. Kimberly Morgan, a clinical cpunselor at Tri-County Commission, Kim Smith, CEO at Health Evolve. And Damon Daniels, a physician at Wellspring Family Medicine, joined forces with Warnock to form a Healthy Laughter panel.
Each participant specializes in a different area of healthcare and, together, the panel offered a well-rounded conversation on health in the Black community.
Morgan is an addiction counselor. Smith has a background in health administration and is currently developing a digital app to help women manage their chronic health issues. Daniels is Warnock's personal physician and has practiced medicine for over 20 years.
It's clear that Warnock understands the power of working with others and building teams.
Coalition-building and health-focused collaborations are the throughlines for the Healthy Laughter model.
The Healthy Laughter comedy show included health screenings, food trucks and a panel focused on Black health and wellness
Jared JohnsonThe connections can be seen in who he casts in his series, the partnerships for his community health events and you can even see the connections in this month's Healthy Laughter Kickoff. September 2023's programming included a community power walk, a festival, two comedy shows and will culminate with a live television recording for Stellar TV. Stellar TV is a Black-owned and Black-targeted, family friendly commercial entertainment network celebrating the culture and lifestyles of Black people.
Warnock has his eye on the prize. It's hard to say exactly what that prize is, but it is clear that it is more than just fame. He's determined to bring others along with him, and plans to improve his health and others' health while they all shoot for the moon. If laughter is good for the soul, Warnock is the perfect prescription for the people.
The pilot for Healthy Laughter shoots on Sept 23 at 7:00 p.M. To register for and attend the live recording, visit wfmediagroupinc.Com/healthylaughter
Jared Johnson is a freelance writer and photographer for Free Times. Follow him on Instagram @iamjaredleejohnson
Partner Of Davie Puppy Mill Suspect Now Faces Nearly 200 Charges Herself
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The partner of a man facing more than 180 charges in connection with a puppy mill authorities said they discovered after a drug raid is now facing roughly the same number of charges herself.
Authorities said Sean Christopher Brodnax, 29, was running an illegal puppy mill and trafficking a significant amount of drugs at a home he shared with his partner, Danielle Palladino, and their children.
Authorities arrested Palladino, also 29, on Thursday on a host of animal cruelty charges, including practicing veterinary medicine without a license.
Puppy mill allegationsAt around noon on Sept. 13, Davie police, Broward County deputies, and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms raided Brodnax's trailer, located at 490 SW 132nd Ave. In the Western Hills Manufactured Home Community. Surveillance video from a neighbor's house shows Brodnax struggling with an officer after he was taken into custody.
Inside, officers reportedly found the drugs they were looking for: a trafficking amount of fentanyl pills and approximately a kilo of cocaine powder mixed with fentanyl. But they also found about 25 French bulldog-pit bull mixes, many of which were in extreme distress.
According to an arrest report, officers first encountered three of the dogs on a screened-in patio. Police said one of the dogs, a female tri-color English Bully mix, was "clearly in distress" with "explosive diarrhea and extreme trouble breathing, possibly on the verge of a heat stroke."
None of the dogs had proper food and water. They said Broadnax did provide them a fan, but it failed to keep them cool.
Police said officers found more dogs inside.
"Aside from the issue of the respondents, who are both residents of this trailer, keeping dogs in inhumanely small cages, the cages themselves were also unsanitary, filled with feces, smelled, and had no bedding on the floor of the cages," Broadnax's arrest report states.
Palladino faces judge; relative defends coupleFacing a Broward County judge Friday, Palladino's attorney made a case for Palladino that the police claims were exaggerated.
"I don't see any difference these dogs were kept from how they were kept at a pet store," her attorney said. "This is just over aggressive by the sheriff's office and just piling on."
A woman who said she's a family member of the couple defended them outside their Davie trailer Friday.
"He has hundreds of trophies," the woman said. "He takes good care of those dogs. This is ridiculous."
She also denied allegations of drug trafficking.
"That has nothing to do with them," the woman said. "We don't know how that got in this house."
"Every single neighbor talked about this house being a drug house," Local 10 News reporter Andrew Perez asked. "Every single one."
"That's not what's going on that's just because he deals with dogs and everybody is involved with dogs," she replied.
She said the home is a family home and that children are involved. She also said it's a big family eager to prove this case in court.
"I don't care what that neighbor says, that neighbor, that neighbor, it looks like that because there's dogs involved," the woman said. "So whatever's going on, we will be proving that that's not true."
Palladino was given a bond of more than $130,000 on 170 charges and remained held in the Broward Main Jail as of Friday afternoon.
Brodnax remained held at Broward's Joseph V. Conte Facility on the same bond as of Friday.
The Broward Sheriff's Office has filed a formal petition to keep the seized dogs. If that goes through, the dogs will be adopted out.
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