The Apocalyptic Epicurean
A Culinary Manifesto
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A Culinary Manifesto
Our Tribe
Jim Adams
Founder & CEO
Jim Adams is a former United States Marine. He later embarked on a career in Law Enforcement and retired in 2011 as the Special Operations Bureau Commander for the Sierra Vista Police Department. In that capacity, he was responsible for overwatch of the Major Crimes Detectives, Street Crimes Investigators, as well as the Narcotics and Evidence functions. He was a founding member of the Special Response Team and served as the Sniper Element Leader. He specialized in the investigation of death and worked on numerous cold-case Homicides.
He taught at the U.S. Army’s Military Intelligence School, was Associate Faculty at the local College teaching Criminal Justice, and performed surveillance operations as part of a government contract for more than a decade. After selling his successful gun store, he retired completely (for nine wonderful months) before returning to the badge as the Marshal of Tombstone, Arizona. He is married to the amazing and effervescent love of his life, Joey. It won’t say it in her bio, but she’s secretly a silent zombie killing ninja assassin.
My Spirit Animal would probably be a Wolverine. Or chocolate.
Joey Ramp-Adams
Founder & CEO
Joey Ramp-Adams is a Biocognitive Neuroscientist whose study interest was the neurological underpinnings of posttraumatic stress disorder after traumatic brain injury. However, after recognizing obstacles for students with disabilities in science, based on her experience as a service dog handler often barred from accessing science laboratory experience, she founded the disability access firm Empower Ability Consulting, Inc. (EAC) in 2017. EAC conducts laboratory risk assessments nationally to determine reasonable and safe accommodations for disability access.
She is a published author and public speaker on service dog access to science laboratories. She is the global pioneer for university-wide inclusive laboratory policies for student service dog handlers, providing equal access to science education. Her passion led her to partner with a colleague to become the vice president and Co-founder of the International Alliance for Ability in Science (IAFAIS). This non-profit organization provides resources, financial aid, and scholarships for disabled student scientists, with one scholarship specifically for student service dog handlers in STEM.
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Joey is married to a Marine, currently the Marshal of Tombstone, Arizona; life is never dull! She is a former Executive Pastry Chef for multimillion-dollar international corporations like Outback Steakhouse, and many others. She is a desert survivalist, a horse trainer. She taught sword fighting, and hand-to-hand combat, studies Muay Thai, was the 2017 Campbell Outdoor Challenge winner (a hunting award show), and usually is the one to clear the house at 2 a.m. when there is a bump in the night (because Jim is sound asleep!)
Her Spirit Animal is the Vulture.
John Heim
Illustrator
John has been illustrating since grade 6. And that was LONG before the fax machine was invented.
He started with locking himself in the bedroom learning to draw Snoopy and Calvin & Hobbes. Since then, he’s gone on to contribute art towards books, greeting cards, T shirts and custom commissions. One day he hopes to be a lion tamer but until then, he continues with filling waste bins with paper daily.
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Email: artbyheim@gmail.com
Twitter (X): @johnheim
Instagram: art_by_heim
Todd, Inc.
Incidental Chicken of the Apocalypse
Todd, Inc., Incidental Chicken of the Apocalypse: The concept for Todd was born from some graffiti we ran across on one of our many adventures that
subsequently morphed into our demented mascot and the catalyst for the
“Culinary Manifesto” portion of the book’s title.
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*** Special note for all you poultry purists out there: Stop, just stop. We are
abundantly aware of the fact that there’s a chicken in this book with no gobble thing named ‘Todd.’ It just so happens that Todd is missing said physiological accouterment. He also has a tree branch for a pegleg (in case you hadn’t noticed). Since someone is probably getting ready to ask, let’s just say he really doesn’t like talking about it. (Spoiler alert: See the last page). Bottom line: He’s a cartoon…get over it. Or don’t. We should also take this opportunity to set aside any delusions you (or we) have about the fact there’s a largely flightless bird typing a rambling diatribe of recipes and survival tips on a manual typewriter in a derelict Unabomber-esque cabin despite not having completed any formal educational programs or having opposable thumbs. P.S. The world isn’t flat either and Jimmy Hoffa is not really running a non-unionized nail salon in Waterloo, Oregon.
Todd supports cage-free eggs and pot-free chickens. This is not a political
statement regarding the medical or recreational use of Marijuana. Or cages. Or duct tape. Todd’s Spirit Animal is the accumulation of all apex predators
combined. And cranberry juice.
P. S.S. Yes, his name is really ‘Todd, Inc’…and no, his mother didn’t hate him.
Sampson
Science Service Dog
Sampson, the Science Service Dog, is a gregarious social media sensation. He is the official ambassador for service dogs in science, the Golden retriever wearing complete personal protective equipment (PPE) in the neuroscience lab, who carries his “happy” wherever he goes and has a stuffed best friend named Mr. B (for blue octopus). Sampson was named one of seven “Dogs of the Year 2022” and was featured on CW Network. Together, Sampson and Joey have been in People magazine, on TMZ, on the NPR Science Podcast, on Sirius XM Podcast, and been featured in thousands of media outlets globally, raising awareness on the need for equal access to science experiences for disabled student service dog handlers.
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Together, they have successfully changed the landscape of disability access for service dog handlers in STEM academics and industry. They have assisted in developing new guidelines for the American Association of Microbiology and the American Chemical Society. Together, they have given talks and lecturers throughout the United States, including Washington, D.C. They have taken on universities, science organizations and associations, industry, and government entities to advocate for equal access.
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Sampson's spirit animal is Peanut Butter and marshmallow hair products.
Charlie
Law Dawg
Charlie is a stubborn 94-pound English Bulldog. He says he’s not sensitive about his weight, but we put him on a diet anyway.
His hobbies include eating (commensurate with farting), sleeping (synonymous with snoring), playing, taking very slow, short walks and receiving belly rubs. And treats. His heavy, repetitive breathing is reminiscent of someone placing a creepy phone call from a freight train.
His Spirit Animal is a Bulldog in a China Shop. And anything that drools. And glaciers.
Éowyn and Aragorn
Irish Wolfhounds
Éowyn is named after a Shield Maiden, and she is a female Irish Wolfhound: the thinker, the planner, the hunter, and the mischievous of the bunch. Aragorn is named after a King. This male Irish Wolfhound is a massive animal that measures 39 inches at the shoulder.
These mystical creatures are one of the oldest known breeds and were traditionally reserved for royalty or given as valuable gifts to Emperors and Ambassadors of olde. They hunt wolves…and eat a lot of groceries when there aren’t any wolves around.
They are the spirit animals that other things aspire to be.
Ariel
Chihuahua.
Ariel (was) an old, toothless Chihuahua. She didn't particularly like anything or anyone, but would occasionally endure laying in a lap for hours on end while we typed. She was the undisputed Alpha dog in our home.
Her Spirit Animal was the Piranha. And Yoda.
* Ariel navigated the legendary Rainbow Bridge during the production of this book. She was allegedly driving a stolen car at the time.
