About me
I like to think that this blog is about a lot more than me. On the other hand, if I must tell you about me in order to learn about you, well then here it is. You could say that my life has centered around the 4 ‘P’s- People, Pasta, Passion and Perseverance- each of those influencing my life on a daily basis. If we focus on the “people” component, I would have to say it probably began with my mother. Afterall, she is the one who instilled in me a sense of endless possibilities and optimism. Then, there was my second grade teacher who opened my eyes to the world of books. Also extremely influential were my French relatives who initiated me to the world of food and cooking and enjoying a 3 hour Sunday lunch at the ripe age of 7. None of this would have happened without my husband, my sister and the cosmic universe of friends and family who have always, and I mean always, been by my side in everything I do. Of course I owe huge gratitude to Marcella Hazan, who shared with me her recipe for making perfect pasta. Last, but not least, are the millions and millions of people who have bought, cooked, enjoyed and appreciated Al Dente Pasta over the years. That is why I am so excited about this blog. I will now have a way of actually connecting with those millions and millions of people which was never before possible. I really hope you’ll share recipes, swap stories and reveal your latest discoveries. I promise that I will, so don’t forget to check the blog often.
al dente® pasta canoodler 
Nice job Monique!!!!!
So good to catch up with you Monique!!
When did you leave Ann Arbor?
Hugs,
Lizzie
Hi Lizzie, I was only temporarily in Chicago while my daughter Theresa was finishing high school at the French Lycee. I took the opportunity to focus most of my marketing efforts on Chicago during that time. It was great exciting fun and I made amazing new friends. I am now happily back in Ann Arbor and having a blast getting involved in everything that has to do with food, local, creative, friendship—you know what I mean. Let’s get together. I want to hear how you are doing.
So good to catch up with you Monique!!
When did you leave Ann Arbor, or have you – there is so m uch to catch up on…?
Hugs,
Lizzie
Salut Monique,
I will check the blog often because I miss you…
Le temps passe trop vite et j’aimerais qu’on se voit
plus souvent. Je t’embrasse et pense à toi.
A bientôt
Marleu
one of your cosmic universe of friends
Moi c’est comme Marleu !
Bonjour Marleu !
Joël
This is wonderful! Keep up the great work ! Every time I go into a new store and I see al dente it makes me so happy to see you are doing so well.
Continue to grow and prosper.
Since this blog was open, I come and check it everyday. It’s very quiet, I must say.
I have a story for you today. Nowadays in France , in the genralized context of “la mal bouffe” (low qualtiy food), it has come to the point when people wish one another Good Luck instead of Bon Appetit at the beginning of a meal in places they don’t know. Amazing, isn’t it ?
To all Al Dente pasta eaters, Bon appétit !
Joël
We are the new owners of the Chelsea Market in downtown Chelsea, MIchigan and are proud to carry your products. We have a mutual friend, Mary Lohman (Heidelmann) who spoke to you this week at the Produce Station about us. We wuld love to have you do a product testing at our store. Could you please contact me or my husband, Kevin Riley at either our email (kevin@newchelseamarket.com) or our store to schedule a convenient time for this event?
Looking forward to speaking with you.
Francisca Fernandez
Hi pasta lovers !
I am back to work today after 7 month maternity leave and on this first day, I found Monique’s email about the blog: here I am … recognizing many faces on Al Dente web site … from my time in Ann Arbor. Hello to everybody !
SONIA
Sonia, So good to hear from you. You could almost say that I’m on maternity leave which explains why it’s been so long since I blogged. Theresa and I are living in Chicago as she fell in love with the French School System and is attending a French Lycee here. And, there are tons of deja vues as her friend, Faustin, is looking to come to States for his “stage”, just like you did so many years ago at the Al Dente Pasta Factory. I still look at the project you did which was amazing. I am selling lots of pasta in Chicago and will keep you posted as I will be getting back to blogging soon.
Hello Monique…
Chiara told me about ur blog, so I thought I should have a look on it. Its very nice to see vicki or theresa, to recognise many great people on ur blog and pictures.
I hope u got the pictures and the card Valentina, Chiara and I sent to you, cause we really had a nice time together but realised that we miss being around all of you.
I really hope I can make it to come to Ann Arbornexz year.
I had to quit my plan to go this year, because of college. I’ll start in October with Biology, and later wanna study medice.
I am very exciting, because everything will be new.
I really hope everybody is okay and Theresa enjoys beiing back home, eventhough she is gonna miss France.
Say Hi to everybody of ur family,
Love Lea
cool website i google image searched “shrimp in a skillet” and this pic came up https://aldentecanoodler.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/shrimp_skillet2.jpg
Cool site
love the pics
i have known monique most of my life…in fact i can’t remember a time i didn’t know her. erin, my cousin, and i were just telling her daughters about when we used to play at the playhouse back when the surf shop took up more space than al dente.
you see, their favorite food is the whole wheat and flax noodles, and they didn’t even know my friend made them! when i let them know they were eating my friend’s noodles, they were so happy. emma told erin “mom, next time i see patti, i’m going to tell her i ate ALL her friend’s noodles, and she is going to be so happy.”
i was happy when she told me that, and am happy every time i go over to their house for dinner and they are finishing their second bowls!
they wanted me to let you know they LOVE the noodles, and they wish they could come play at the playhouse, too.
i love you!
patti ‘wheels’ wheeler.
This is my favorite kind of story.
Monique
Je savais que cette delicieuse recette du turkey avait un french flair, je fais mes bechamels pareil et c;est une tres bonne idee la facon de finir la recette comme vous faites, very very good.
Good luck
Odette
You are so right, there is a French Flair in more ways than one! Keep your eyes posted for my recipe for Pasta with Fois Gras.