I'm officially in Culinary school! Classes start in the fall, and I couldn't be more excited. Especially about the uniform fitting. I've never had a uniform, so I'm thrilled. And I'll be working on getting my name on the list for the Pastry program as well, because my first love is still baking. Amazing how popular it sounds like I'll be once I start school- suddenly everyone wants to see me!
Today I'm baking a double batch of chocolate chip cookies for my father and my father-in-law. Dad requested cookies as his baked gift, because he can take them to work with him. Sadly, we'll be out of town over the holiday, hence the early start. I'd post a picture, but if you don't know what a chocolate chip cookie looks like, there's nothing I can do for you here. Though I will say- I make them large!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Big News!
Thursday night, after touring the kitchens at the Midwest Culinary Institute, I applied for Culinary school.
Initially I was disappointed, as the pastry program I was originally looking at was full for the year, but I've decided to get both a Culinary degree, and a Pastry degree. This will be made faster and easier by the number of courses that are included in both degree programs, and the number of general education classes I'll already have credit for thanks to my Bachelors degree. I'm so excited about the field of opportunities this career path will open up for me. With Literature, the only real career path was publish and pray for tenure, while working in the Adjunct trenches for who knows how long. Now, I could work just about anywhere, or open my own business. The possibilities are endless, and the demand for trained chefs is high- and the Institute has a 95% success rate of placing graduates within three months of graduation. Having co-ops will help with that, and paying for school.
It won't be cheap, as I'll have to pay tuition, buy books, and equipment, and a uniform, but I'm really excited about it. Technically I haven't been accepted yet... but unless the Culinary classes are full as well, there shouldn't be a problem.
In other news, the Black Forest cake I baked was apparently a great success. And though it didn't have the alcohol in it, I was told that "by the time in the night that we broke into it, it didn't really matter."
Best of all, I have my ultimate masterpiece- the best cheesecake I've ever baked. I used the water bath method out of the Joy of Cooking cookbook and it's rich, creamy and smooth, and utterly to die for. It went over very well at the family party I baked it for, and I anticipate playing around with the recipe to make other delicious creations.
Initially I was disappointed, as the pastry program I was originally looking at was full for the year, but I've decided to get both a Culinary degree, and a Pastry degree. This will be made faster and easier by the number of courses that are included in both degree programs, and the number of general education classes I'll already have credit for thanks to my Bachelors degree. I'm so excited about the field of opportunities this career path will open up for me. With Literature, the only real career path was publish and pray for tenure, while working in the Adjunct trenches for who knows how long. Now, I could work just about anywhere, or open my own business. The possibilities are endless, and the demand for trained chefs is high- and the Institute has a 95% success rate of placing graduates within three months of graduation. Having co-ops will help with that, and paying for school.
It won't be cheap, as I'll have to pay tuition, buy books, and equipment, and a uniform, but I'm really excited about it. Technically I haven't been accepted yet... but unless the Culinary classes are full as well, there shouldn't be a problem.
In other news, the Black Forest cake I baked was apparently a great success. And though it didn't have the alcohol in it, I was told that "by the time in the night that we broke into it, it didn't really matter."
Best of all, I have my ultimate masterpiece- the best cheesecake I've ever baked. I used the water bath method out of the Joy of Cooking cookbook and it's rich, creamy and smooth, and utterly to die for. It went over very well at the family party I baked it for, and I anticipate playing around with the recipe to make other delicious creations.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Nervous!
Tonight I go down to the school I'm looking at for their baking course. It will determine if I get to go back to school in the fall or not. If they have a waiting list for their program, I can't afford to wait. I need to be able to start this fall, or I'll have to find a school once my husband and I move. I'm excited to see their kitchens, and I really hope I can get into their Associates Degree program, as it offers co-op opportunities and I could go full time without another job.... but we'll see.
In good news: I get to bake a cheesecake tomorrow to take to a family Graduation party on Saturday!
I really just wish I could bake every day, but I've been forbidden. After all, how could we possibly get through everything?
In good news: I get to bake a cheesecake tomorrow to take to a family Graduation party on Saturday!
I really just wish I could bake every day, but I've been forbidden. After all, how could we possibly get through everything?
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