Great day in the kitchen today! It was day 2 of Classical Cuisine. Finally putting all the techniques that we have worked so hard at, to use.
I feel really excited about this "block".
We are going back to old school recipes, and methods. Kinda reminds me of watching my grandmothers cooking in their kitchens.
I know they never measured a thing when they cooked, but they "kinda did". A handful of this and a pinch of that. I've learned to measure without measuring. The length of your finger, the width of your thumb, "two fingers of this" and a palm full of that. It is all measuring!
Today we made a classic. French onion soup.
Legend goes that King Louis XV made this soup when he discovered that all that was left in his hunting lodge pantry were some onions, butter, and champagne. There are quite a few different versions of how this some came to be. But I think that it all boiled down to using what you have at hand. Making the best of it. Making it the very best it can be. Using techniques accurately and preciously. I think, in my opinion, that the dish will taste much better when you pride yourself on getting the right cuts... the right technique... the right balance.
I am amazed at some of the names being "dropped" by my mentors. The chefs are top notch, on fire, totally in, to food. They have worked for some big "names" in the industry. Wolfgang Puck, Mario Batali, Julia Childs..... to name just a few. And to think that here I am sitting in class learning from them... I just seems like a dream.
It is just day 2, or now that it is past midnight, day 3 of "Classical Cuisine". I have 7 recipes on the menu tomorrow that myself and my classmates will make. It is great! First thing, most likely, will be to get another batch of baguettes in the cooler for tomorrow. Bread is made everyday. Everyday.
I have seen so much improvement lately in myself that I just have to stop and thank God! I've been truly blessed through out this whole trip. I've had some set backs and upsets that have really made me want to pack up and head home. But the joy in the voices of my family back home make this whole thing really great. They keep me grounded and focused. They keep me encouraged. They keep me reminded of the whole reason that I did this in the first place. Food is my life. And the passion grows each day. My hands are so numb from cutting things, and washing dishes, that I can't feel the ends of them. When I grasp a knife, my guide hand instantly goes into that claw position. I'm so tired when i get back to my apartment sometimes that I just shut the truck off and sit there and relive the day. Sometimes its 3 in the morning when I wake up and go to bed. Only to wake up about 3 hours later, ready to go over my production sheet. Making sure everything is spot on. I've learned that you have to be spot on, all the time, everytime, or you will fail.
So, yeah. These are my thoughts tonight as I get ready for bed. Shoes, and pants, covered in food. Chef coat switched over a few times tonight, needing cleaned. Knives cleaned and sanitized and ready for tomorrow. I'll get up and be ready. But I'll still take a few minutes to myself, grab a cup of coffee, find a tree to sit close to, and just Praise God. Heard?

I'm curious to know what everyone would like to see in this blog. Just leave me a comment, and I will try my best to see what I can do. Comment below...

Here is a pin that we got for the whole class having perfect attendance for the week. Hopefully next block we will be able to get some more!

Ok guys! Here goes. I wanted to start this blog as a way to share with you my adventures here in Colorado.
For any that aren't aware, I am currently in Culinary school.
I moved to Boulder, Colorado in November and have been here ever since then. I did go home for Christmas break.
Right now I am getting ready to start the 4th "block", Classical Cuisine.

I will update this page as much as possible, I just wanted to get this posted and start inviting people to stop by this page.

Right now as I am writing this, I am looking at snow. Yes, snow. We were supposed to get this last weekend, but the weather here is unpredictable and we got it last night. Only about 2" but oh well.
Have a great day!
Scott