Growing up in suburban Maryland, there was a company called Mr. Omlette that you could hire for parties and brunches. That event’s Mr. Omlette would wear a white chefs coat and a tall toque and it was so much fun to pick as many fillings as I wanted.

Back in mid-September I was visiting my family in Maryland for both Rosh Hashanah and my birthday and our friends the Feldmans/Rices invited us over to brunch.

When we arrived we were greeted by this gorgeous spread:

Photo Credit: Ashley Rice

Jared Rice and his girlfriend Leila woke up early to prepare our mouth-watering options. The fixins included sauteed onions, mushrooms, spinach, tri-colored peppers,  avocado, tomato, fresh basil or rosemary, and three or four types of grated cheese. I know one was Gruyere. Jared recently earned his masters degree in nutrition and this likely played a part in his decision to saute all of the veggies in olive oil.

Ashley Rice is a friend I’ve known ever since my family moved to Maryland from Montreal. Every year for my birthday she sends me a card recording how long it’s been. She’ll correct me if I’m wrong because her memory is far better than mine but I believe we have now been friends for over 24 years.

Below I begin to prepare my omlette along with Ashley’s boyfriend, Rob.

Jodi and Rob. Photo Credit: Ashley Rice

Check out this good looking group of “kids” (ok, we’re adults now) crowding each other over the stove. To my left is my little brother, Jeffrey, and dear friend/historian/staff photographer, Ash.

Jared, Leila, Rob, Jodi, Jeff, Ash

Good friends, beloved family, lovingly made eats (not pictured are Leila’s wonderful scones) = Best Omlette Ever.