October 2010
67 posts
Something funny, Something genuine and Something...
After yesterday’s roux fiasco, I was heading out to lunch because I was hungry. I decided to check for other kitchens because “sixteen”(aka K-16) always had a huge line. I decided to check other kitchens for food.
As I turned left to K-7, I saw my Skills teacher, Chef Soileau. Walked by him the first time (he was having a conversation with somebody), and to discover that...
Project 365, Day 105
Bon Appetit Magazine Cover of the day - Poblanos stuffed with Turkey, refried beans… (note to self, look at menu and label stuff this weekend).
I’ve pretty much have said my piece for today in my soul searching blogs. The last thing that I really want to do is to walk out of Americas class feeling like shit, so I’ll have some fun Sous-Cheffing tomorrow and will tell you about...
Soul Searching, Part 2.
There’s a note that’s stuck somewhere in my notebook which I wrote after C-Block (meat and fish), which I believed was the most miserable block I’ve had because I screwed up costings to a weird degree, despite my decent class preparations, etc.
Shortly I wrote that note, I looked at it everyday before heading to class.
I got an A-, just for that note.
I got a B+, thinking that...
I was helping Jessica rip tape off so that she can post up calendars for this month’s events. We were talking, exchanging days of our lives (can’t help reference) and I told her that I needed to do some sort of soul searching.
This kind of soul searching doesn’t ask why I’m here. In fact, I love it here. It’s something else.
Americas Class has got me cuckoo for...
September 2010
63 posts
Project 365, Day 104
I got this “review” from my friend today who came to Americas. I wish that we could get more of these because it certainly helps the students when they know what they’re doing right or wrong besides from what the Instructor tells them. Maybe I should run this idea by Chef Smythe next block. He just might love it.
Magazine Cover worthy picture of the day. These are the...
Not cool.
Let me share you how one thing makes a huge difference.
One example is if you use a comma versus not using one.
1. Let’s eat, Grandma!
2. Lets eat Grandma!
- The first sentence is calling your grandmother to eat with you. The second sentence says that you’re a cannibal. And if you want to go to the perverted route, you certainly may. But you are a sick person, my friend.
...
Project 365, Day 103
While I was cutting the squash fine julienne for one of our plate components, Chef Walsh told me that I did a good job. Chef Remolina came by moments later and told me the same thing. It felt awesome. Then I was asked the ratio of a cream soup. I was stumped. Of course, I was disappointed. Who wouldn’t be?
I believe though that today was a good day: Our production went smoothly. It...
Project 365, Day 103
Cioppino from today! Magazine Cover worthy, indeed.
I also made tamales today. Can I say that making them isn’t easy (at least if you’re a first timer. Or if you’re a natural, or something…)
1. There’s two sets of “strings” needed for these tamales. Get some corn husks and start ripping them down to make strips. Save some for “singles”...
“You dont need encouragement Castro, encouragement is needed in the absence of...”
– Greg Garrison
Project 365, Day 102
Did someone say practical folder? Yes. Already.
Better safe than sorry. That, and I really want a high pass on this practical. Nothing wrong with that, right?
My current necessities, in no order and why.
1. A velcro that actually sticks to a wall, and actually holds up.
- My room has at least five white boards in it. One huge one, that’s a real white board and the other four are something that I made out of the blue because I desperately needed space to write on besides my skin. Right now, my white board is on the floor, velcroless. If anything though, I could always do more velcro like...
Project 365, Day 101
Weekends for me usually consist a whole lot of nothing except college football, work, more work, laundry and whatever else follows after that.
This weekend…
1. I went to the Top Chef Panel Discussion today. I met Chefs Ed (from DC), Laurine (Las Vegas) and Ariane (New York). Chefs Ariane and Laurine were really cool. They asked me where I was in the program right now and I was stoked to...
Project 365, Day 100
What you CAN do with goat’s heads:
1. Use as a toy.
2. Show what your mama gave you (in Joe’s case, his huge smile). Or show why your mama paid fifty five grand for this type of education which I’m pretty sure eating goat head wasn’t on the list.
3. Open it up, gobble up the brain, eyes, and whatever fleshy things you can consume. It’s fair game.
4....
“HE TOUCHED MY WAND!”
– Dinner table conversations.
Apparently, I won't be voted off the island.
(someone from class): Are Caribs cannibals? Do they eat people?
Chef: Yeah, they are. We'll roast Daniel here for example...
Me: Filipinos taste good.
Chef: Adobo... yeah.
A moment like this, some people wait a lifetime.
Chef: ...It didn't start until the Castro Revolution in 1948...
Me: WOOHOO!
Project 365, Day 99
The expected result of failing after high praises didn’t happen today: Service went smoothly.
Jeremy, Tyler and I worked on this fish. I just chose this picture because it looks rockin’ as a food photo. Don’t you think so as well?
I also have to start labeling my pictures. It’s making me look lazy on my part.
Goat head. Delicious.
1. First time eating brain....
Stuff that I'm happy to have, and why.
1. Fedoras. Neal Caffrey from White Collar has one. He looks awesome in Fedoras. I look awesome in Fedoras. Fedoras are just awesome. Have I emphasized that enough?
2. Professional Camera - I’ve been wanting one for two years. I finally have it. I’m having a blast with it. I can’t wait to take pictures of the dishes on Tuesday.
3. Going here - I really don’t...
Project 365, Day 95
Happy birthday to me. Jackie (my roommate) insisted that we go out on a birthday dinner. I really think it’s a cool gesture. If anything though, we’re just gonna order some chinese when Shaq (Dave) gets back, then we’ll have a chill time as roommates or something. Who knows.
That picture was a result of this camera. It’s mah new baby. I still don’t know...
Project 365, Day 94
Family meal in Americas. I think this was the first legitimate plate that I had where I got every bit of each element from each of the five dishes. Does that even make sense? I hope so. I kind of need to work on my sentence structuring for the writing practical tomorrow. I mean, on Monday.
“Fine dining is like girls in skinny jeans: It showcases a girl’s ass. ...”
– Pete Chisick
History Lesson
Chef Remolina: September 16th was the day of independence for the Mexicans. We don't celebrate cinco de mayo. It's American marketing for Corona, different kinds of cervezas.
Derek: What did you do?
Chef Remolina: I worked. My friends though... smashed.
Different Kinds of Old
Me: I'm getting old.
Jeremy: I'm ancient.
Me: Derek over here's a fossil.
Jeremy: Actually, he's so old that his first catering event was the last supper.
They send me all these weird signs...
I found this article on being lucky in Yahoo! -
http://shine.yahoo.com/event/lifeslittlepleasures/how-to-get-lucky-2389062/
I found it while I contemplated on my attendance for the goat cheese tasting event. Seriously. Subtle, but effective.
This also applies to my externship search in some way or the other.
1. Chance opportunities, fulfilling prophecies with positive expectations, and...
Project 365, Day 93
Eggplant Parmesan - Easy Money. But never forget about Murphy’s law.
Murphy’s law states that anything that could go wrong will go wrong, and so it did.
1. Some of the eggplant got a little umami (earthy) flavor on them when they dropped to the floor. Seventy five percent gone, we only had nine servings to sell during service.
2. Crostinis also got a little extra umami with the...
Project 365, Day 92
This is my second day playing with Sam’s Camera. Came out with better pictures this time. I think I need to just stand still while taking pictures to avoid blurriness.
Today went superbly well: We got our prep out, and my only serious advice to myself is that it’s all about common sense and standard common procedure (and respecting it).
This is the best picture that came out of...
Project 365, Day 90
This was yesterday’s.
I borrowed Sam’s camera yesterday. Actually, he decided to lend me his baby. I’m literally protecting it with every fiber of my being because breaking stuff that’s not mine SUCKS! (Speaking of which, who broke MinGu’s ceramic steel sharpener today?)
So I took the liberty of taking some pictures. One legit one (I did on myself without...
Project 365, Day 91
I’ve recently been fooling with Sam’s camera these past two days. I think that the best picture that came out of it was this one: Still have a lot more to do, considering the fact that I took ten pictures and eight of them came out blurry. Everything aside, I think the first day of each class always brings those first day jitters because you come into these new kitchens learning...
My Project 365 has currently been stalled for today because I’m playing with Sam’s camera, which I forgot required a USB plug cord of sorts to transfer pictures. I’m still stoked about using his camera in Americas!
New roommate came in today. He’s totally awesome, no homo. I’m really happy that I can come back to a room that has three charismatic people in it....
I played tennis today with my roommate for the first time. It was awesome.
While playing, I noticed something that was similar to the kitchens: I tried working too hard for points which resulted in obvious mistakes. When I worked calm and comfortably as I slowly figured caught up with his serves and groundstrokes, I won points.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is the ability to adapt in any...
Project 365, Day 88
Today, Jackie and I went to Thai House. I remember having a conversation about spicy food and Jeremy told me about this place. So, I decided to give it a try whenever I could. This was that day.
I got the three course special there: soup, appetizer and entree (with rice!)
First was the soup course. I forgot what it was called, but it had mushrooms, chicken, coconut milk and ginger. Yum.
...
Dinner Table Conversations
Pete: Yeah, I know a guy. He's producing Top Chef. He wanted to put me in it, but I said that I would wait until after school.
Christine: With the way you're cooking your chili, you'll be booted off fast.
“What do you think the scales are for? Weighing Marijuana?”
– Jeremy was portioning out the filling for the strudel. Chef Coyac said that Jeremy had one more in one bowl compared to the other. Thus, the quote.
Project 365, Day 87
Chef Gerard Coyac, my Skills 3 Teacher.
I’ve been waiting for this day to write this blog.
Chef Coyac was the personal chef for the Commodore of the Navy. In other words, he’s badass. Which, he is. He kept our kitchen alert and is infamous for the catchphrase, “use your brain”, which if we try and mimic it somehow comes out with an Arnold Schwarzenegger accent.
...
Sweet analysis, if you ask me.
Your view on yourself:
You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.
The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:
You are a true romantic. When you are in love, you will do anything and everything to keep...
Project 365, Day 86
Today was our Skills 3 Practical. This is how it went down.
1. We had to draw our menu. I wanted stew, I got stew. Good start.
2. Prep went smoothly. Veg were cut, soup was cooked, stew was on it’s way.
3. As deadline approaches, I make stupid calls such as pulling potatoes out when they were still a tad raw. I thought they looked good enough. Again, bad call.
4. Chef Coyac said...
Crumples are technically folds.
Dan: Here, learn the art of origami.
Jackson: Alright, I'll start with the basics.... *crumples paper*... A ball.
Project 365, Day 85
Jeremy’s vegan plate number two.
I’ve been wondering though: Is it possible for vegans to eat the same things that we do if we substituted them for something else? I honestly think so, but it’s either really expensive or really disgusting. I can’t really attest to that, but I have two friends that can. I should definitely ask them.
For example, if I made a fettucine...
Project 365, Day 84
I started plating my own family meal recently. It’s not that I completely altered Chef Coyac’s plating; I just made it more compact.
This is is a deep poached salmon with a bearnaise sauce, parslied potatoes, spaghetti vegetables and haricot verts.
In theory (basically my phrase as I prepare for team practical), it’s an easy method of cooking considering that you make a...
“If you want to succeed just as much as you want to breathe, then you will...”
Project 365, Day 83
So Brent decides to text me at work saying that he’s playing around with the idea of Spherification. What it basically means is that making a liquid into a “solid” in which the liquid forms a gelatin shell but the inside remains in liquid form. This technique was used in Chef Bryan Voltaggio’s demo with the Mozzarella in his translation of the Caprese Salad.
These...
“Yesterday is history
Tomorrow is a mystery
Today is a gift.
That’s why...”
– Kung Fu Panda
Project 365, Day 82
US Open. It definitely is love.
Tickets: 60 dollars.
Lunch: 30 Dollars.
Train Tickets: 40 Dollars.
Shirt: 25 Dollars.
Twelve hours of nonstop tennis and Bob Bryan Autograph: Priceless.
All values are rounded up, just because.
