Handy Toyota

After taking another look at Handy Toyota sales consultant Ali Kamal in September 2011's employee spotlight, you knew it was coming:  another look at the one and only Blogmeister himself:  Tom Young.

So what has Tom Young been up to for the past 18 months - and yes, it's been nearly that long since his last spotlight came out believe it or not - and how has he been?  I sat down with him to find out.

"First of all I had a hellacious time in this year's Hood Cook-off," Tom starts with a groan.  Those of you who read Tom's weekly blogs might have noticed he engages in a non-professional cook-off hosted by Hood dairy.  In the process, Hood products must be used to concoct a new and ideally unique dish in one of several categories.  Tom, being a great cook, has joined the last few years, emptied his own money into the event (travel expenses, fees to join, etc.), and, as far as his blogs tell us, looked forward to the event very much.  If not winning the grand prize was disappointing, this year's outcome was a disaster.

"The first rule," Tom tells me, "is that you cannot have any professional experience.  You can't have run a kitchen, you can't cook for money, you can't have your own TV show.  As silly as that last one sounds, this year something happened that made it... not that funny."

Before we get too far, Tom said it's important to mention something as to not seem dishonest.  "Here's the thing:  I oversaw a kitchen when I managed a K-mart," he says.  "I oversaw it as the manager of the area - I didn't cook, didn't gain my salary by the meals sold in the food court.  I also disclosed this."  In my opinion, Tom's right.  Aside from the fact that I know he can cook an excellent array of dishes, this fact alone doesn't make him a "chef."  Would I call him a chef?  I would.  Would my proclamation be the end all be all of the argument?  Absolutely not - I consider my mother a chef and she's nothing of the sort.

That said, Tom has every right to be in this competition.  The trouble arises from this year's winner.

"The guy that won, we'll call him Fireman, for starters cooks for his entire fire department.  In fact, word is he gets paid to cook for them on top of being an active firefighter" Tom explains.

But this isn't enough.  The plot, as they say, thickens.

"So he's the fire house's 'cook' we'll say, not a chef" he continues.  "But - surprise! - he has cooked in professional competitions!  Not only has he won numerous competitions, ones in which you are named a 'chef' for having been given entrance, but the Food Network is supposedly looking to get Fireman on contract to start his own show.  How much more professional can you get?!" he exclaims, clearly exasperated at the low state of affairs of his beloved amateur cooking competition.

As if that wasn't bad enough, Tom told me afterward that he had heard one of the judges was a higher-up at the Food Network, adding insult to injury.  I asked if he would give it another go, making a fourth try in the competition.

"Well, last year I said I wasn't going to enter this year's," he starts, "because there was some not-so-subtle issues with the 2010 competition.  But they weren't as flagrant as this year's by any means, nor were there so many slights against the rules.  I have a year to cool down, but as it sits:  I think my Hood Cook-off days are over."

Too bad for the Hood Cook-off gang and amateur circuits alike.  Great for us at Handy Toyota - maybe.  Tommy usually brings in his creations, such as 2010's delicious take on a Rueben sandwich turned dip; hopefully he uses our staff at Handy Toyota of St. Albans as his new outlet!

In other news, Tom welcomed a new son into the family fold this past year; and no, he didn't have another child of his own.

"My daughter got married!" he shrieks, still ecstatic over the affair even a month after the occasion.  "I love the guy, I love my daughter of course, and I'm ready to see my family grow.  It's exactly what every person, male or female, wants for themselves:  to see their legacy live on."

Soon enough Tom Young will venture out onto a new cruise line for his yearly vacation with his wife.  Sun, cool drinks, a little gambling (just for fun!), and some much needed rest and relaxation from the surprisingly hectic new Toyota and used car sales world is a desired end to the calendar year for this long time Handy Toyota employee.

For more on Tom Young, check out his blogs or subscribe to our blog and get your weekly dose of the Blogmeister each Wednesday (or due to my own shortcomings his posts sometime show up Friday - sorry Tom!).  You can also reach him via email, stop into 39 South Main Street in St. Albans, VT and see him, or talk to him on our Toyota Tundra forum at TundraSolutions.com.