Weekly Review (file under WOW moments)

This past week was filled with the ups and downs that you would expect when one jumps head first into his dream. What follows are some of the many things that I learned this week. Not only that but I learned the value of days off. I went to bed last night around 6:30 pm and slept until ten am. I fell asleep with my clothes on.

When making my berry compote I learned that the term to “hull” a berry means to remove the green and the white area as well. It means to remove from the fruit those parts that you deem unusable.

I also learned that the Gotham Street Bar & Grill is amazing and that Alfred Portale is truly gifted. According to Exec Chef this is one of the few cookbooks out there that represents the plate they serve at the restaurant for the home in an exact way. Reading through the various techniques and skills that are required for Portale’s dishes brings a huge smile to my face. The look of each plate (though beautiful) takes more function over form. In that I mean that the food is the real star. After all you cannot eat with your eyes… YET!

Portale also taught me that I should get good at making timing lists. This will make your Mise en Place better and allow you to function with a better grasp of time in the kitchen. Portale also breaks down the various ingredients that you should use, from where and what the best is. Naturally each Chef will have their own interpretation as to what is best, but he is pretty spot on in my opinion.

On the recommendation of Head Chef I also bought (pricey but necessary. I had to think about feeding myself versus the book and decided that the book would lead to more food so I bought the book) it is called “The Professional Chef” by the Culinary Institute of America. It is amazing and a must read for anyone that wants to work in a professional kitchen. I’ve spent most of the past two days (when not catching up on sleep or writing an essay) studying this book and I’m glad I bought it.

I also learned a bit about the front of house operations (keep in mind that I am immersing myself in the whole gamut of restaurant operations as the end goal is to have at least two myself).

Maitre d’Hotel is the dining room manager. They are in charge of training, overseeing wine selection, working with the chef to determine what goes on the menu and organizes the seatings on the floor.

You then have the Chef de Vin, Sommelier or Wine Steward. Their responsibility is wine service including purchasing, wine list and assisting guests with their wine selections.

Chef de Salle or Head Waiter. Naturally responsible for all the waiters.

Chef d’Etage (Captain) deals with the guests once seated. Explains the menu and answers any questions as well as taking orders.

Chef de Rang (Front Waiter) ensures proper settings for each course.

Demi, Chef de Rang or Commis De Rang is responsible for running, bussing, etc!

As I have started my journey I have discovered much about myself. The Professional Chef has a line in it that states; “ Deciding where to begin your journey s just as important as the process of learning.” I made a great decision, I am living my dream and am happier than I’ve ever been in my life.

I hope that all of you can dream big, can live your dreams,, and can know true joy. So tonight as you ready to go to bed, ask yourself; What do I want from MY life? Where do I want to be? How do I get there? The universe will answer all questions you have if only you have the balls to ask them. I did and now answers unfurl each day majestically before me, lighting my path and guiding my soul.

Be inspired. Live. Laugh. Love and Be YOU!

Woodrow Wilson once said; “We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter's evening. Some of us let these great dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true. “

Look for sunshine to guide your way…

A la prochaine

SDM

I LOVE brunch! (file under I really enjoy Sundays)

So I arrived at work bright eyed and bushy tailed with a smile on my face. The moment I got into work I ripped off my butcher paper and scribbled something with the intensity of a child holding a crayon looking at his mothers freshly painted wall. Hmmm red would go great right HERE! After scribbling I started getting all the things ready for brunch. I got the tables, the linens, the inserts (I know I keep promising you descriptions of inserts. Coming tomorrow), the waffle maker, the pans, the burners and everything else. Then of course started putting out the food.

It gives you time to reflect on your week and share a few laughs with your family. It really is fast paced as we have two hours to set up and ensure everything is in its place. And then 11 am comes so fast that you think it is only 9:30 am. But with my whites on I pull down my jacket to look my most presentable. I take great pride in my whites. I take even greater pride in making sure that I am representing the restaurant. I have a large smile on my face and am chatty (but professional) with everyone. Asking them how their day has been, how they are enjoying brunch. Invariably since I’ve started someone notices how happy I am; and the usual answer is; “A funny thing happened on the way to my dream…” I discovered true joy, at peace with myself and the world around me and striving to just keep going.

At one point today I was making a waffle, cutting roast beef and pea meal bacon and making five omelettes (three and then two as we only have three burners out). We had a seating yesterday of about two hundred and twenty which meant that the pace was steady but not overwhelming.

I really enjoy Sunday. I really enjoy brunch. Sure while most people that I know are still in bed I am working my butt off. But I am doing what I want to do. For the first time in my life. How could I not smile?

There are a few people that come every week and I’ve gotten to be chatty with. They always tell me that they love my energy and enthusiasm and say that my smile could light New York City. This always makes me laugh as C is in NYC right now and I am always telling her that it is her smile that can light a city. I think the secret to my smile is that I have a heartfelt joy. I have purpose and have surrendered to it wonderfully.

After brunch was tear down. I had to vac pack about a million things, clean up and then get ready to go home. I let Chef J how amazing his dish was and how I had analyzed it over night trying to break down each component, each texture, and each flavour and how they commingle. It was great! And I think he really appreciated that I let him know how fantastic his dish was.

I got home and was going to blog but was extremely tired as my forty-four hour week was really more like seventy-five or eighty. But I am overjoyed, over loved and certainly over me as Stevie Wonder would say.

That said I got home and fell asleep. I slept from 6:30 pm until 10 am Monday morning. (I’m writing this on Monday) Life is a peculiar thing; When its great its great but when its not it affects every part of you. Now, because of where I am, who I work with and what I am attempting to do I find myself thrilled (though a little sad I didn’t come earlier). As such I thought the following quote made a tonne of sense by Eric Fromm; “Let your mind start a journey thru a strange new world. Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before. Let your soul take you where you long to be...Close your eyes let your spirit start to soar, and you'll live as you've never lived before.”

And I truly am living as I never have before. Are you? Be inspired today. Start to soar. Do not be content with merely living as life is far too short for that. Be you and soar to wherever you choose. I have which means you CAN!

A la prochaine

SDM

PS… Tomorrow I will write about Gotham and Portale!