Visit at the Restaurant

So I got home from work early today and had sometime, and thought I would finally post.

The other week my Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin surprised me at the restaurant to eat.

It was so great to see them, and for them to come and support me at my job. I don't think you really understand what I'm doing until you come and eat at the restaurant.

So they came by, and I went out to say hi to them...

Everyone at the restaurant took such good care of them, my Chef even told me to send out every dessert to them...this is what the table looked like...

They didn't know I was bringing everything out, so when all the runners starting bringing it all out, they were surprised. I stood and looked out the window to see their reaction, my Aunt was just so happy...

Torta...

Cannoli...

Rhubarb...

Bomboloni...

Sorbet, and Gelati...

Went out after they got everything to see how everything was, they were just so thankful!

Them stopping by to eat really made my day, I was just so happy to see them, and I was just really happy they enjoyed their time there.

Problem

So here is the problem right now...

Because of my job all I have is...

Working, and Drinking.

At least its all not alone. Right?

I work with great people and I drink with those same great people.

I need to get out and see what I can find.

Restaurant

Being in an actually kitchen, can sometimes be the best and worst feeling in the world. That moment you walk into the kitchen you feel like your at home, this is the place you are meant to be in. At the same time you walk in and it can be an overwhelming feeling, especially when its a restaurant kitchen. Its not just a kitchen making pretty pastry's its a kitchen making everything, and it can get hectic, lets just say its always hectic.

I never wanted to work in a kitchen, I don't think I ever had a real reason, I think I just knew it would be crazy and did not want to be in the middle of it. But the reason I like it is because its busy, and fast pace. Dinner service is always busy, once dinner service starts it can be non stop until the restaurant closes.

Its that atmosphere around you that makes you wanting more, makes you excited for service.

Kitchen Time

So I have been working for a month now, and its been a long and tiring month. But at the same time it has been good, this is an experience that I know will be great for me. Anytime anyone starts something new, there is a lot to adjust to, and that is what I am doing right now. Just trying to adjust to something I am not use to. I never wanted to work in a restaurant, but it just happened, I decided it was something to at least try. There is no harm in trying, just so much to gain!

So I started reading Anthony Bourdain-Kitchen Confidential, which I have not gotten far, but its already great, I love how inappropriate he is. I'm reading this book, and it makes you know someone understands you, that there is this society of people who understand what working in a restaurant is like, as well as just working in the food industry all together.

“ I’m asked a lot what the best thing about cooking for a living is. And it’s this: to be a part of a subculture. To be part of a historical continuum, a secret society with its own language and customs. To enjoy the instant gratification of making something good with one’s hands-using all one’s senses. It can be, at times, the purest and most unselfish way of giving pleasure (though oral sex has to be a close second). ” - Anthony Bourdain

True Life: I moved to New York, Oh and got a JOB

Start Spreading the News
I am leaving today
I want to be apart of it
New York, New York

Yes I did, I moved to New York, which many people thought I was crazy for this but I did it. I picked up my life, again, and just went for it.

Bought my one-way ticket, with no sure idea of what could happen.

I want a pastry job, so why not go to the best place there is.
And now Im here, and its been a little rough, but I think I may have finally found what I wanted.

This is for sure not the easiest thing I have done, its one of the hardest, but being in NY I have what I wanted.

I always thought I hated restaurants, I never wanted to work at one, but now guess what?? I am going to!! Its crazy, I mean I think this was my biggest fear, I was so against restaurants, but now its what I want to do!!

Ill be working at a restaurant in NYC, this is crazy, I mean everything I looked at they wanted people with all this NYC experience and guess what I have none, and my only pastry backgroud in School and guess what I did it!

I didn't think I ready for NY but I think now I am, and Im excited, I am worried and nervous at the same time, but I have always been ready for any challenge, so bring it on!!

If I can make it here.
I can make it anywhere!!!

Interns

I don't think everyone gets what it is like being an Intern, trying to tell people what was going on, or how things work people don't get it.

Working mostly 12 hours a day unpaid, doing things from dragging boxes of who knows what back and forth from storeroom to storeroom, making 180 jars of neutella, scaling out over hundreds of ingredients. There is just so much that is happening that you can't even explain.

But in the end of the day the people who understand it all are the people who went through it with you every single day. And even though we all had our ups and downs with eachother I will remember this group forever. I do hope down the road we all work with each other, and hopefully we are getting paid.

Its just not the same when your in the kitchen and there aren't all these different accents being thrown around. haha

Good Times!

New Year

Another year has gone by, and 2010 is a year I will never forget. I moved to Chicago to start my training as a baker/ pastry chef/chocolatier whatever my desire would be in the end. And those months of schooling, where ones I can never replace. I met the most amazing chefs during that time, and learned so much from them. It was day after day of going to school and just learning as much as I could, and taking in all that I could. I also met so many friends there, that I know I will always have. Those are the people that helped me though each day. I graduated from FPS and then stayed on to intern for the next six months, I got to work with the Chefs more and learned more then I already knew. It was a hard, tiring, stressful six months, but it was worth it, and the friendships I made with the other interns is something most people will never get. We all went through something that I think we will look back at and think did this really happen. Everyone had there moments, but we all got through it and towards the end we all started going our separate ways. At some point we were all going to find our next adventure to take and I’m still finding mine. I am heading to NYC to find my next adventure, and I hope this one is good. I am ready for what is coming next, I have a lot of nerves and I am scared for it all. But at the same time I am nervous, and I don’t know what could happen next.
Thanks for everyone who reads this; hopefully I can try to keep up with my blog.