Last Fall, we had the extreme pleasure of having Janice Binkert, and fellow foodie and chef  as well as contributing writer for Traverse Magazine, pay a visit to our restaurant and spend some time getting to know Chef Tommy. After chatting of adventures in various restaurants throughout the Midwest and his culinary inspirations, the conversation switched to autumn fare. In northern Michigan, we are blessed with some of the finest and freshest ingredients and due to the bountiful selection of squash and other Fall delicacies, this happens to be Chef's favorite season when creating his signature dishes. And it's just not Fall without pumpkin. While the pumpkin may be an intimidating vegetable, it is also one of the most fun, flavorful and versatile. During their visit, Tommy created a variety of pumpkin-inspired dishes that were as pleasing to the eye as they are to the taste.

To read their entire conversation and capture some of his favorite pumpkin recipes, pick up a copy of the October issue of Traverse Magazine or visit www.mynorth.com. Copies of the magazine are available at Symons General Store or at your local newsstand.