Breakfast (file under Damn it was early)

There used to be a time when I would still be ready for the next party at four thirty in the morning. Not waking up to go to work. But that said, it was far easier than I expected. When the alarm went I was somewhere between here and there in a less than memorable or mentionable for that matter dream. I sprung to my feet thinking that if I did so the dream would end. Only I came to realize that this was my new reality. 4:30 am. So I grabbed a cup of Greens Plus (http://www.genuinehealth.com/ ), which I strongly recommend to every one. If you are interested let me know. And then into the shower. Out the door at five to five so I could catch the approximately 5 am streetcar.

I had all kinds of things running through my mind as I locked the car and turned on my Ipod. As there has been next to no promotion of the breakfast I didn’t expect to be busy. In fact as I rode the streetcar I was mentally making my prep lists both for breakfast and lunch. The streetcar became full by Dufferin, which I must say, I found shocking. Who knew that so many people were up to go to work at five in the am.

Getting off at Queen and Yonge I bopped as my Mos Def played most elegantly (and loudly) in my ear. Followed by Jackie Wilson. Man do I love Jackie Wilson. WHAT A VOICE. So I lit my cigarette, still without a coffee in me, and quite happily, sauntered down Yonge Street. Surprisingly I made it from my door to work in forty five minutes. Which in my opinion is not so bad. Nothing that the Ipod, a book and a coffee can’t overcome.

I walked in the door and started the coffee punching in at 5:47 am. I thought to myself how funny it was that this was usually when I was punching out in my younger and more party oriented days. So I went through the mental lists that I had prepared as I got changed. Came out of the change room and went to get a coffee. Only I had forgot to put the basket with the coffee in the coffee maker. Oh no I thought to myself. Is this a sign of the day to come. Luckily it wasn’t.

As I expected we did absolutely no business for breakfast this morning. That does not mean that I didn’t have to complete my prep list though;

Home fries in third pan
Savoury French Toast Batter shallow half pan
Slice Cheddar and Havarti in six pans
Eggs in third pan
Peameal
Bacon
Sausage
Fresh Fruit
Muesli
Pot on for Eggs Benedict
Hollandaise
Clarified Butter
Lettuce
Tomatoes
White and Brown Bread for Toast
Texas Toast for French toast
Sliced Turkey
Basil

These are just some of the things that we had to get done. As we were not busy I started doing lunch prep at the same time. I did fifty pounds of fries, a 20 litre pail of fresh Chips and made a Tomato Basil Bisque.

I know that breakfast is going to work here. It is just going to take us a while to get the word out that we are doing it. While doing breakfast is going to change my schedule quite dramatically, I have to admit that I love that I got to come home, write some blogs (as I will write a couple more today) and do some studying, speak with my lover, C, and just overall get things done. GREAT FEELING!

Og Mandino once wrote; “Welcome every morning with a smile. Look on the new day as another special gift from your Creator, another golden opportunity to complete what you were unable to finish yesterday. Be a self-starter. Let your first hour set the theme of success and positive action that is certain to echo through your entire day. Today will never happen again. Don't waste it with a false start or no start at all. You were not born to fail.”

How true. Are you dreaming big and inspired? Maybe if you wake up early in the morning you’ll find the motivation you need. Not to mention the quiet. It’s never too early to dream.

A la prochaine

SDM

Junior Sous Chef (file under proud to say)

It is with great pleasure that I am letting you know that I have officially been given the title of Junior Sous Chef! Me! Junior SOUS Chef!

I think that sometimes it is difficult for everyone that reads this to see that I am jumping up and down with excitement.

More than the title I am excited because this represents an acknowledgement of both the work that I have done and the work that I have left to do. It acknowledges the knowledge that I have acquired in the ALMOST year that I have been at this BUT ALSO puts a responsibility on me to live up to the current expectations upon me but also those of my very incredible Chefs that have gotten me to this point.

As such I would like to say thank you. Thank you to Director of Operations. Thank you to Executive Chef. Thank you to Sous Chef A. And all the rest that have helped me to live my dream. Have helped me to discover exactly what my life’s purpose was and how best to fulfill it.

To say that I am excited is only half true. I say half because I am also half nervous. However, as I have every other challenge and opportunity in my life, I accept it graciously and plan to exceed the demands and expectations that everyone may have. Especially my own. Which in the past have always been my downfall. But not this time.

Junior Sous Chef. ME!

I would also like to thank by name my good friend Jeff MacKeigan. For he was the one that convinced me that it was okay to dream and that he would help me get in the door. Jeff, THANK YOU FOR BEING A TRUE FRIEND.

As well I would like to thank C who in her tireless support has always believed that both my passions would at some point lead me to this day and the future day when I own my own restaurant.

Life is a very interesting sandbox. For you can truly build a castle or get wiped out by the ocean. Let me just tell you that it is far more fun to build the sandcastle.

Og Mandino once said; “I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not to shrink to a grain of sand. Henceforth will I apply ALL my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy.”

Are you dreaming big and inspired?

A la prochaine

SDM