A Bevy of Buttery Biscuits

Last night was our first night in the kitchen. I'm in love. No doubt about it. I'd say we were taking it slow, but, the kitchen and I are smitten. I think we were obvious about it too. People will talk.

We had a brief classroom session and then into the kitchen to get to work on biscuits! The chef started with a demo on using the counter weight to scale out(measure) our ingredients. Not having worked in a professional bakery, we were taught that in this setting, measurements are not in cups or tablespoons but rather in pounds and ounces. I kid you not when I tell you that there was nothing funnier than the look of frustration on all of our faces trying to figure out how to measure small ingredients on these scales. Being that the code of conduct in this kitchen includes no swearing, it definitely added to the hilarity. I will tell you, if there had been a lip reader in the kitchen they would have had a field day with the creative expletives being muttered oh so quietly under our breath. 75% of the evening was used for our ten teams to measure out under ten ingredients. The kitchens have big glass windows around them so anyone passing by can look in or when preparing dishes for family and friends they can watch. Judging by the look of the upper class men laughing at us while we were doing this, I can only assume that this was a right of passage.

Once we were all measured, the Chef demonstrated the proper technique for mixing, kneading, cutting and placing on the lined baking sheets. We followed suit in our teams of two and then popped them into the oven. Once they were done, we had to taste and critique our biscuits. Overall, a success. I brought two home and gave them to Jack. He had them for breakfast and I believe they were a mild success!

The Chef explained that cleaning the kitchen after every class was our responsibility as it would be in any professional kitchen. Therefore, he was to put up a list with our individual responsibilities. Once we were done cooking, the list wasn't up, and we all just started cleaning. Midway through, the list went up. On top of the list are the Sous Chef's for the day. These two people are responsible for being the ones to help the Chef supervise and be sure all is being done. I had the daunting task of being one of these two people for our first class. So, I sucked it up, tried my best to keep everyone positive and am happy to report that we aced our cleaning and we're let out early for good behaviour! All in all - A GREAT NIGHT!

Tonight is going to be even better - I GET TO PLAY WITH POINTY THINGS! Our first knife class! Look the update tomorrow morning!

Happy Cooking!!!!!

Food Safety, Intro to Culinary and a Knife Kit

Hi Everyone,

First night of culinary class and all is well! I am happy to report my new hours at work seemed to succeed in allowing me to get to school on time, even in I-95 Traffic!

Shockingly, our first night of class had already "weeded" some people out. We had between 27-30 that were signed up for the night classes at orientation and yet on our first night we were down to 20. However, looking at the schedule and syllabus, it's not a program to be taken lightly!

After getting a refresher on acceptable/required behaviour, attitude and needed mind set to survive the program we were given our knife kit. ME LIKEY! It's the sexiest inannimate thing I've ever been given by a stranger! It's a three layered soft kit that is filled with so many treasures I had to shove my fist in my mouth to keep from squealing like a stuck pig. I'll be sure to get some pic's of the kit on the blog soon!

After we all finished cleaning up the drool pools caused by the knife kit, we foraged into the world of food safety. I have barely dipped my toe into this section and already see that it's going to require a strong constitution. The Chef leading the class warned that we will never look at food service establishments the same way again. He's right. From the little we started with there's already a touch of the oogies going on in my stomach. I'm thinking this must be what nurses and doctors go through when studying diseases. No matter where you look, it's hard to shake the feeling that there's some cranky bit of bacteria waiting to screw your day. So, that being said, I promis NOT to elaborate on what we're learning but I will say this: WASH YOUR HANDS AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN!

So, all in all, it was a very interesting and informative class. We did get some homework assignments which, being the over achieving brat that I am, I just about finished during our breaks last night. Instead of going for a walk or out for air, I stayed in class and got about 80-90% completed. Next class is Wednesday night and it's all about baking. Apparently, BISCUITS are on the menu!

Tonight, Jack and I are having grilled cow and sweet potatoes after we go to the gym.

HAVE A GREAT DAY & HAPPY COOKING!

First Day Of Culinary School

Tonight is my first class at culinary school and I'm pretty excited! Orientation was last week and they are pretty strict about the way things are run. Just as it was in high school, if you're late 2-3x to class it counts as an absence. A certain amount of absences and you receive an incomplete. Although in this case, one incomplete means EVERY subject in the semester has to be taken over again regardless of your grade. Oh, and if you fail a class, you have to redo the ENTIRE semester all over again, including the classes you passed. So, let's just say I'm going to be working my butt off.

It was recommended that we get "wheeley" briefcases for books and knife kits. Apparently we get a fair amount of books with considerable weight a piece and the knife kit is apparently not light as a feather, so, Jack and I went out and found an appropriate wheeley cart to save my shoulders. I'm interested to see how many books I'll get. Truth be told, I'll probably be up all night playing with the knife kit!!!

So, there will be an update later tonight after class and then updates after every class and once or twice on the weekend!

If you have any questions, shoot 'em on over!!!

Cook Away!