Pepe Le Puy

All the introductions are over and the handshakes and smiles have been shared. I think we have all settled down just a bit Those how have had jet lag should have recovered be now. This weekend I found myself in a rag tag group of females (story of my life) journeying in a neighbouring town of Yssingeaux called Le Puy. It was about a half an hour drive away from where I am. The drive alone was cool...I can see why people backpack their way through Europe...the landscape is beautiful. We passed a castle and some other structure that were breathtaking. On arriving to Le Puy, we decided to the drift towards the centre of the village passing the ever omnipresent patesserie and like the pastry chefs in training we all are walked into one and stared at everything they had in the display case. Soon each of us left the store with our own little bundles of joy that were waiting to be eaten. And that's what did next...found a place to sit down to take pictures and dissect the petite four gateaux. I bought a rather large pink macron that was filled with pastry cream, lycee and raspberries. It was good!!

After we all got off on the flavours and the overall presentation of what we just ate we decided to wonder around the farmers market and the flea market that was up. As the some of the girls flocked to the shoes and the clothing I moved towards the olives and cheese and mushrooms!!!

Next we drifted to the monuments in the town. the Notre Dame du Puy, L'Egisle de St. Michael et Le Virgn. In the town apparently the running joke is: Have you been in the Virgin. And I can successfully say 'yes I have' after climbing those stairs was not not going into her. LOL. I made a funny.

I love being in foreign countries..the people watching is such an event. Most of the women and some of the men look like they come out of a bloody Vogue magazine. Anyway the first day is soon to begin and I have prep work to done. Peace out cyberspace. Z.

No Catchy Title

Well ladies and gentleworms! How are we doing this fine evening. I had settled in just a bit and enjoying the stay so far. We got through orientation in on piece, though it felt like a brocher for the south of region of France. Which I really did not have a problem with, it just makes my life a little more difficult seeing that I have limited funds and limited possibilities. So I believe I will be bankrupted after this trip. However the journey so far has been marred by my damn stomach. Ever since I touch down it has not been co-operative with me. Not good. But I dove into my pharmacy and got the right stuff...but for future reference..Pepto tablets need to be added to that list. But I have been popping pills like skittles so I think I'll be fine after a week on them. Things aren't that expensive but also are so you have balance how you want to spend it. Eating out is definitely expensive...so I'll be cooking quite a bit of food but that would be mainly on weekends and on evenings on weekdays. Most of the group seems ok..but it is early days yet. I have afternoon labs (1pm - 8 pm) with a seemly nice bunch on females. But once again time will tell. On a brighter tone have been taking pictures which I'll post soon and I am practicing my french so hopefully I'll be fluent enough. Or at least confident enough. Went to the bowling alley today with the rest of the lot. And girls will be girls! Beautiful to observes. C'etait super! A bientot Z. PS: Thinking about changing the names ...suggestions?

Je suis arrive!

Well my fifth form French teacher would definitely cut my ass for that title. Ce n'est pas parfait!! Missing an accent or two but hey no one read the shit I type anyway. Moving on. As some might have guessed by now that yours truly is not in the land of Yanks and more but of the French. Oui c'est vrai. But look at that it just might come back after all these years then again that is just written word. Spoke word is a bit more challenging one has to formula the response in the correct tense and place the subject, the object and all related syntax and grammar rules. However pour le premier jour..je pense que je vais bien. Fingers cross. I usually bounce in and out of the language. Just don't want to butcher the language. Oh well we shall see. So far Lyon seems to be nice. Passed a number of farmland areas on the way to the hotel but other than that I have not a clue what the city itself is like. It all begins tomorrow so well shall see what happens next.... Peace out cyberspace. Z

May Be An Arm And A Leg...

Well the countdown to France continues. It is now down to 3 days..And I am relatively excited. I am itching to get back into a kitchen where I can learn. Seeing what friends are doing in school and my sitting in Brooklyn doing nothing is getting very aggravating. But I am rubbing my pressure points. However I do have good news..I am going to a food photography workshop. I was an arm and a leg but I was able to negotiate down the price to $200 originally down from $350. I feel bit bad...I was never good at haggling prices. I usually feel guilty afterwards. But he agreed so I am off tomorrow to his studio. I'll keep you posted. Later to inter-web.... Z

Huff & Puff & Blow Your House In?

Well that was not much of a hurricane. Actually when the so-called hurricane finally made land fall in the Brooklyn area it had been down graded to a tropical storm. Now tropical storms, though they don't pack as much of a punch as their big sisters, are and should be taken seriously. Bleh. A few drops there and a puff-puff there; Irene didn't really impress me.

Around 1 pm I ventured out of the house to see what the 'hurricane' had done. To my surprise there were a number of people out, running, walking their dogs, even going to the supermarkets which once again to my surprise were open and fully functional. Even some restaurants and bakeries were bustling with patrons waiting for coffees, assorted pastries and whatever they were selling.

The streets were not too bad a few leaves and branches but no real damage could be seen. However the 24 hrs news coverage, which is a bit much but I believe Americans are trauma addicts, reported differently. As predicted the low laying areas which effected by the storm surge and the rain. Floods and downed powers were also reported through different parts of the city.

I, however, another than feeling like a caged animal I started to think about two things actually. First, I wondered if RISD has a photography course worth doing and no surprise there there is. One that you can actually a certificate for. The bad news is that it would take 2 - 4 yrs to complete. WTF! Right? There is also a web design course which would be cool to have on a resume. The other thing on my mind was; how the ass am I going to survive the next 3 weeks. I keep seeing job listings but I shouldn't work (it's illegal) and if I was indeed brave enough to risk it who would hire me for 3 weeks, really not worth the investment.

Anyway a special day is coming up and I am thinking about buying either a tripod (a decent one) or a poly carbonate chocolate mold. Peace out cyber world. I wonder who reads this shit..

I Think I Have Found Heaven And It's At Costco.

Yep you read correctly my connoisseurs of everything organic and high end. Costco is the place I'll be..well not me but someone will spread my ashes. I have been there twice and after realizing that it is this what 'Pricemart' copied I understand why. The place is epic.

First it has two levels. Not one but TWO huge ass levels.

Second, and this a comparative level, things are relatively inexpensive. Yes yes I understand the whole bulk buying drives costs of certain items down but I am looking at the simple math of it all with respect to what I have experienced at home. The best sample of that is the price of honey. At home honey comes in a 275 ml glass bottle and at $110 TTD ($20 USD) no wonder the grocery stores put anti-theft devices on them. Now at Costco..for 3 lbs of clover honey (ok not the greatest) $7 USD ($42-45 TTD). There are other examples as well but they are really to numerous to list out.

Actually I do remember one. From what I have heard, people give Costco a lot of shit for generic (not the word I want to use) everything from socks to cakes and other everyday items. Buy my aunt bought her son's birthday cake at Costco and that was some decent cake. I have had better but the masses out there this cake was apparently the highlight of the birthday.

So to Costco congrats..And for the unfortunate soul who has to deal with my body after I 'pass on to the after life' put some ashes at a Costco for me. I'll give you rest of the places later on.

Oh and dinner tonight is chicken soup with sweet and yellow potatoes, radishes and other hearty vegs. Would warm my soul if I had one.

Later

Ok DUMBO..I Don't Think We Are In Chinatown Anymore

Fitting title for such a long day.

It was just like yesterday....No actually it was only 6 - 8 hours ago. I cooked up this half brain idea to do the cliche tourist thing and walk over the Brooklyn Bridge for where I am in Brooklyn. So like any modern day person..I googled "Brooklyn Bridge" for directions. According to the site it would take me 2 hours and some minutes to get to Manhattan. Reasonable. Oh was I wrong. The walk wasn't that hard..no serious hills in NYC, to borrow a phrase from a friend, 'thank AB' for that small mercy. Anyway while on the way to the bridge I got 'lost' in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, catchy eh?), looking for a cafe dubbed 'The Best Chocolate Cake Ever'. Phst..now if anybody or any store that makes a claim like that I hope they know I am coming to eat what ever it is to judge appropriately. Unfortunately, after much walking around in the trending, hip area I could not find the cafe. Darn! I know. I did however find Jaceque Torres' Chocolate and Ice-Cream stores but I wasn't in the mood for chocolate or ice-cream not matter whose name is behind it.

All broken hearted I strolled across the bridge and stood and marveled at the city's skyline and well of course the people walking along side me. And that's when two things happened to me. First, I think I am in love. I have been in this city for roughly 2 months off and on and I think it is an awesome place. Beautiful people beautiful scenes. (I mean so far most of my living expenses have been paid for while I was there and I have no jobs to drag my feet to, so I guess when you look at it for that perspective who wouldn't enjoy themselves). And second my feet were screaming at me. I could hear them - "Yo jackass..you have walking for three hours. Time for a *&#$ing rest". (Yeah that sound like them). I took their advice and sat got my bearings and my next plan of action.




And that plan was the walk around Chinatown and the East Village. The word on the wire is that the East Village has some of the best eating spots in the city. And they were right...every few feet there were cafes, bars, restaurants and little eateries and bakeries spotting the district. Along with some beautiful people. I really can't get over that. Oh and the redheads/gingers seem to be the best of the lot. Sorry getting side tracked.

Finally I got to 14th Str Union Square (said in my best metro announcement voice) and I completely forgot that the day today. Wednesdays there is usually a farmer's market. Peaches, pears, plums, honey, bread, cookies. FOODIES heaven. You could smell everything..especially the peaches. I felt like making cobbler or something fresh and tasty. In the end I ended up buying a bunch of radishes, to do what with I was still unsure.

Got home with out my feet falling off and made dinner. Seared cumin encrusted chicken breast and braised white wine radishes and leftovers. Tasted good.

To whom ever reads this. Peace out. Going to rub my feet.

Oh I saw this sign in the window of a shop. Rather funny. What talent can they possibly need?

Trust Me...Don't Panic

Yep those are the immortal words of Douglas Adams. Written on the inside cover of one of his greatest novels, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Why am I quoting this author? No real purpose, though I have some books due to arrive here. Now most who know me are aware that I am not much of a reader. Simply I just because I have not found any books that interest me. I have read a few books about conspiracies and big brother and those weren't too bad. So well I am wasting away, sorry to put it like that but I am, here in Brooklyn I'll hopefully pick up some reading. And hopefully enjoy it.

I have tried to find courses in anything that peaks my interest. A foreign language (was thinking about learn some Arabic, photography courses and even culinary courses in 'rival' schools. Unfortunately there isn't anything starting now. What a damn shame. You would think that in one of the most bustling cities in the world I would be able to find courses in something. I guess I am not looking hard enough.

As of now I am just doing odds and ends until I am off to France. And yes I have been looking at where I am going to stay and what the program involves and all the other things that I can possibly plan. But in the end I just feel that I am wasting away. Hate not having a target to work towards. Anyway enough of my bitching and whining it is getting me nowhere. Off to make dinner..steamed Tilapia with a pineapple relish sounds good.

Z.

OH Damn I Forgot The Title.

Well I indeed forget the original title to this post. Such a shame...it was on of those witty ones. Well I think it was witty. I knew I should have written it down. Anyway down to the meat of the matter of today. I ventured out of Brooklyn today in search of one of something not that rare but still fascinating to attend..A FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL. After two subway transfers I found myself on Fulton Street in Lower Manhattan near South Street Seaport. Now such things as food fairs and other like gatherings of people wanting to stuff their faces with whatever food is on sell is not knew to me...but at least the location was. Found near the East side of Manhattan near the site on the continuing construction of the Freedom Towers, South Street Seaport was full of people tasting what roughly 30 trucks had to offer. There was something for everyone, macaroons (French ones), cupcakes, tacos, fries, seafood, waffles, and assortment of juices and smoothies, all organic of course. After walking around to see what I should devour first I finally settled on Waffles and my all time kryptonite French Fries.

I stood in line at by a truck called Dinges and Waffles awaiting what they called a WMD (Waffle of Mass Devouring? Who knows). It is their signature chewy waffle topping with whipped cream, fresh strawberries and chocolate fudge. Yum! Right? I quickly found myself a place to sit so I can enjoy my treat and take the appropriate before and after pictures. I was good, could have been a bit hotter and have more strawberries but considering it came from a truck in was decent. Personal rating: 1 thumb up.



Next was the Frying Dutchmen. I chuckled when I first saw it too. Sorry I didn't have time to get background information and I am just too lazy to google their name so if you want history you better go get it yourself. Yet again I joined another queue awaiting the delicious that is fried Solanum tuberosum (Yeah I wasn't lazy enough to look up the botanical name for potato) I finally placed my order when I saw her. Damn.
Now the next few lines are going to be, I think, the lowest I am ever going to with respect to the topic that is going to be discussed. As I have come to realize after walking NYC for a few days, people in this city are hot, sexy and some are just drop dead beautiful. Well at least visually. Anyway her. And please don't judge.

She was beautiful! Had smooth pale skin and a head of long curly authentic ginger coloured hair. I mental mouth dropped and was probably drooling just a bit. I was a good thing I was wearing some dark shades. A few later she received her order and left ever to be seen again. I was like one of those NatGeo rare animal sitings.

Needless to say I slapped myself out of the trance I was in and collected my order as well. Unfortunately, the fries were not that special. Personal rating: natural.

Well the rest of my day was spent walking around Lower Manhattan looking at people and stores. And marveling at the fact that I am it is wonderful city for a month. How lovely is that. The plan is to find either a job or more fantastic places to eat.

Peace for now.
Z.

The Legal Aspect

I think I should be taken out the back of some barn and be shot in the back of the head. I have neglected this blog for so long worse yet I have completed and even graver sin then that...I am not writing about food. Well as least not as much as I should.

Well I am back in the States after being in T&T for 1 1/2 months and then in Tanzania for 3 weeks, I am in NYC for a month waiting for my plane in France for my internship, which I am super excited for (bounce around like at little school girl, oh I want no comments from pit concerning that comment, you'll know who you are). Though home was a bit boring and number of times I was in fact baking just not for my own personal pleasure and experimenting but for paid services. I catered an event, 400 items to be exact, it was a great experience one which I didn't capitalize on fully. Damn business cards! Anyway I tried networking as much as I could. In addition to that I assisted a fellow caterer in her business. We swapped items and I learnt a thing or two about the business. I enjoyed that.

Next was Africa, East Africa. Ok all right..Tanzania specifically. What a trip!! It was awesome. Now I understand why people travel. In between all the shopping and long ass drives I got to see some the most amazing people, places and animals. The animals were obviously the one of the best parts of the trip..the other was my sis getting IV'ed at the bottom of "The mountain", according the local the name of the tallest peak in Africa not Mt Kilimanjaro. I have pictures to go along with the stories. How sweet is that?! Moreover we went to Zanzibar. Now you have to say with a sense of mystery and awe.....like this Zanizeebarrr. I bought a shit load of vanilla beans there. What am I going to do with them I have not a clue but the fact is I possess them.

Finally NYC, a place rather a city where dreams are born and fulfilled. Summer is winding down and schools and institutions alike are preping for the new fall term. Why is that information important? That just means that I can find any courses to do. I would have so love to spend my time in a photography course at NYU and other institution or even check out another culinary school and their culinary course. But everything is either booked or ending. But you might be thinking 'get a job instead, Zack' (well at least you are thinking about it now). I have not really pursued that because I am afraid of my status as international student that is in training to be a pastry chef who is here for a month does not really scream HIRE ME! HIRE ME! I even checked craigslist for jobs and they exist but, even though my chosen profession is populated by illegal aliens and foreigners alike, I still feel that my investigating would be in vain. I have even asked a Chef of mine in school if she knows anyone in the city willing to take me on but she has returned my email.

So for now I feel miserable to tell you the truth. I feel like a bum on the back of my 'family's' back. Yeah I do house work but still I should doing something other then lazing about the house. I HATE BEING LAZY.

On a brighter note there is a food truck festival tomorrow. HOORAY!! Yes you read correctly a food truck festival in the city somewhere and I am going to eat myself fat then if the weather holds up walk across the Brooklyn Bridge back 'home'.

I think I might make pate de fruit sometime soon. I don't like baking in kitchens I am guest in. Peace out for now.

The Road Travelled Thus Far

I seem to be starting with this sentence more and more. "Hi I am back sorry for the drought of postings". It is not because I have been hard at work, even though I have been, it is more that currently I am in the academic phase of the my journey and I honestly have no zeal to blog about what is discussed during class time. Here is the rundown. I have classes between 11:30 - 3:30, on Mondays and Wednesdays I have Nutrition and Advanced English and Tuesdays and Thursdays is have Leadership and Cost Control. Oh and Community Service on a Friday. Yep that is how my life has been since the Christmas break was over.

Now I do have to say that these classes are interesting. I enjoy Advanced English because there is a sense of free thinking that is pushed onto the students. Most of the time the professor is instructing us - "Write what you feel". And once you have you organized mess in some cohesive train of thought with valid points and evidence to back up your points, you bag yourself an A. Currently I am the proud owner of two. It is quite AAAmazing! HA HA HA! Leadership is another class I quite like simply due to the professor teaching the class. He is indeed quite good, at least to me. He gets his points across well so that we should be able to understand him and even though he uses a lot of American Football anecdotes to get his points across I understand most of them. Nutrition is...well nutrition. It actually scared me into eating a bit more healthy and working out a bit more in the gym. Finally there is Cost Control. What can I say about cost control? It is the only class i physically have to will myself to stay up for and I'll leave that there for now.

Given that I have been outside of the bakeshop and my access to a kitchen is next to none my stress level has taken a turn for the worst. Usually when I am indeed stressed I bake and usually bread. You can beat the shit out of bread and it never bleeds or asks you to stop. People usual do the aforementioned things and that can be quite annoying. So to deal with the disgusting two legged rats I currently live with I disappear for the day. Leave the dorm early in the morning and hope to return way after night fall. I turn off my cellphone so no one can call and disturb my ME time. Currently however I have been volunteering my time on Saturdays for some of the cooking programs. The crowning jewel of the volunteering service was Mohegan Sun Food and Wine Festival, where yours truly got to work the MR. CHOCOLATE, Jacques Torres!!!! And meet Bobby Flay (who everyone says is an ass) and Robert Irvine. And that was Saturday. On Sunday I also went to Boston for Couchon 555, which basically a pig and wine fest!! That kitchen smelled awesome. All that pork, smoked, roasted, braised, sausage and blood sausage. I had a chocolate cookie filled with chocolate lard and bacon snow, pork creton, white bean with blood chorizo.