From Cordon Bleu techniques to flaming BBQ wings and brisket — these recipes come from my home kitchen and clubhouse grill.
Whether it’s a five-star trick I picked up in culinary school or a flavor-packed dish perfected during a Friday night rush at the club, these recipes are all about bold taste and practical technique. From my family table to the Sugarbush kitchen, every bite tells a story.
- Inside the Sugarbush Kitchen Cook-Off
On a cool Michigan Monday in October, the course was quiet — but inside the clubhouse, the energy was unmistakable. This afternoon, we hosted our very first Sugarbush Kitchen Cook-Off, a friendly culinary competition born from a simple rainy-day moment. A few weeks back, I walked into the kitchen to check in on the team.… Read more: Inside the Sugarbush Kitchen Cook-Off - 🍔 Cheesesteak Smashed BurgerFall Special – Sugarbush Golf Club What started as a late-night YouTube scroll became a best-selling burger at Sugarbush. Three juicy patties, creamy beef gravy, and provolone on a toasted brioche bun — this one’s pure comfort food with a steakhouse twist. 🧾 Ingredients For the burger: For the cheesesteak topping: For the bun: 🔥… Read more: 🍔 Cheesesteak Smashed Burger
- 🍛 Masala Curry with Choice of ProteinFall Special – Sugarbush Golf Club A rich, house-made curry that warms you from the inside out. Built for volume, flavor, and speed — served mild or hot with your choice of protein. 🧾 Ingredients Curry Base (yields ~1 gallon / 20 plates) Protein Options (per plate) Vegetables 🔥 Cooking Instructions Make the Curry Base:… Read more: 🍛 Masala Curry with Choice of Protein
- Gratitude for My Culinary MentorsPost 7 of 7 – Sugarbush Kitchen Series I’ve learned from many chefs over the years, but the lessons that stayed with me weren’t about technique — they were about how to run a kitchen that works. Jeremy Brunt and Jeff Stotts taught me that difference. Jeremy: The Business Behind the Kitchen I met Jeremy… Read more: Gratitude for My Culinary Mentors
- Pork Schnitzel with Apple Cider GravyFall Special – Sugarbush Golf Club A crispy golden schnitzel paired with creamy mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables — tied together with a smooth, slightly sweet apple cider gravy. Comfort food with a touch of autumn. 🧾 Ingredients For the Schnitzel (per plate) Apple Cider Gravy (yields ~1 qt / 8 plates) 🔥 Cooking Instructions… Read more: Pork Schnitzel with Apple Cider Gravy
- Cross-Utilization and ExecutionPost 6 of 7 – Sugarbush Kitchen Series Every good kitchen runs on rhythm — not recipes.You can have the best ingredients and the flashiest menu, but if your team can’t repeat it night after night, it won’t last. That’s what I learned from my mentors, Jeremy Brunt and Jeff Stotts. The Lesson from Jeremy… Read more: Cross-Utilization and Execution
- Prime Rib Open-Faced SandwichFall Special – Sugarbush Golf Club A diner classic elevated the Sugarbush way — buttery Texas toast, creamy mashed potatoes, tender prime rib, and rich beef gravy, finished with melted cheese. It’s the kind of comfort that keeps guests coming back. 🧾 Ingredients Per Plate 🔥 Cooking Instructions Build the Base: Assemble the Sandwich: 🍽️… Read more: Prime Rib Open-Faced Sandwich
- The Sugarbush Kitchen Cook-OffPost 5 of 7 – Sugarbush Kitchen Series Every kitchen has its rhythm.But every now and then, it needs a spark — something unexpected that reminds you why you love to cook. That spark came on a rainy day. The Moment That Started It Business was slow, so I walked back to the kitchen to… Read more: The Sugarbush Kitchen Cook-Off
- Launching the Fall Menu SpecialPost 4 of 7 – Sugarbush Kitchen Series Fall changes the rhythm in the kitchen.The air cools down, the grill feels warmer, and guests start asking for something that sticks to the ribs.At Sugarbush, we take that as our cue — time to shift from light summer plates to rich, comforting flavors that feel like… Read more: Launching the Fall Menu Special
- Sweet Heat: Candy Shrimp from the AI KitchenPost 3 of 9 – Field of the Dream Series Some dishes don’t start with a recipe. They start with a question.This one started with: What if we took a classic Chinese 拔絲 (bá sī) sugar glaze and gave it a spicy twist? I wanted something with crunch, heat, and just enough sweetness to keep… Read more: Sweet Heat: Candy Shrimp from the AI Kitchen
- How a Prime Rib Sandwich Became a Kitchen Favorite
Post 2 of 9 – Field of the Dream Series We didn’t plan on running a prime rib sandwich special. But one week, our vendor sent us extra prime rib by mistake. Instead of sending it back, we turned it into an opportunity. I hopped into a chat with ChatGPT. Not to get a recipe,… Read more: How a Prime Rib Sandwich Became a Kitchen Favorite - The Journey of Culinary Creation with AIPost 1 of 9 – Field of the Dream Series Before I put a new dish on the menu, I usually have a quiet chat with ChatGPT. Not to ask for recipes—I already know how to cook. But to think things through. To check food cost, cross-utilization, and whether it’s something my line cooks can… Read more: The Journey of Culinary Creation with AI
- Cooking Through the Aches — BBQ, Collard Greens, and Night Golf
Last week, sickness made its way through my house. My daughter brought home a stomach bug from school, my wife caught it, and soon enough, it hit me. Luckily, my symptoms were mild—just the sniffles and body aches, but they came at the worst time. Sugarbush was about to host one of its busiest weekends:… Read more: Cooking Through the Aches — BBQ, Collard Greens, and Night Golf - From Blog Posts to Products That Belong
Since launching MyJLStory, I’ve written more than 60 articles — and I’m still writing. Golf lessons. Food stories. Reflections on life and work. Every post is one piece of a bigger picture. Lately, I’ve been asking myself: Is there a way to share these lessons in a more organized package? Because if an article resonates… Read more: From Blog Posts to Products That Belong - Performance Journaling: Shortening the Distance Between Mistake and Solution
Journaling sounds simple. Almost too simple. But it’s one of the most powerful tools I’ve found for improvement — in golf, in food, and in business. Here’s why: problems repeat. And awareness is the shortcut to fixing them. And when I say “journal,” I don’t mean a 300-word essay where you pour out your soul… Read more: Performance Journaling: Shortening the Distance Between Mistake and Solution - What I Learned From Keeping a Food Journal
Food is simple — until your body tells you otherwise. When I first got married, I wanted to share more with my wife. She’s a vegetarian, and whenever we ate together or sat down with her family, I joined her. No meat on my plate. At first, I thought I was being healthier. More vegetables,… Read more: What I Learned From Keeping a Food Journal