Chef John Barone is a Michelin-trained private chef who is also in the midst of preparing for his second ING New York City Marathon in November. With career stops at revered restaurants including the French Laundry in Yountville, CA, as well as Jean Georges and Per Se in New York City, Barone's cooking philsophy stems from his love of fresh and locally sourced ingredients and interest in healthy food for active lifestyles. As he ramps up the mileage himself, here are a few of his tips for the rest of us trying to combine training and booked calendar with eating well.rc: What are some prep tips for runners who are training hard and on the go?
JB: Revamp leftovers! Instead of looking down upon leftovers, turn them into new creative dishes. Grilled chicken from the night before can certainly be sliced and put into a wrap with fresh vegetables.
Plan Ahead. After working a long day and then training, the last thing someone feels like doing is going home to sweat in the kitchen. In the morning before work, get some of your prep out of the way, e.g. chopping and marinating. This may save 10-15 minutes before dinner is served, but it adds up!
On an off day from work, plan a day with time for cooking. Prepare a few meals to last you 2-3 days. This way all you have to do is reheat!
rc: Fall is here. What are some ideas for tasty seasonal dishes to prepare?
JB: When I think of fall, I think of apples! There are so many things you can do with them for a quick healthy snack. Cut the apple and drizzle on some melted dark chocolate. if you feel ambitious enough, sprinkle with chopped walnuts and maybe a dollop of whip cream! YUM!
Soups are a great fix in the fall. There is nothing better to comfort you after that run on a cool fall day! Pumpkin or squash soup is fantastic, Cut either into small chunks then cover with chicken stock or water (to stay vegetarian) Cook until soft, then puree in blender. Season with salt, pepper, touch of cinnamon (and I always like to serve with a little creme fraiche)!
rc: What are the foods to avoid when eating out or night before a race?
