Exam, Eggs, Field Trip

Sorry I am only posting lately on the weekends. It is my plan to try to write more during the week, instead of putting out a ton of posts on the weekend. That's just how it's been lately! As the title says, I had my first big test on Tuesday. The test was a national certification for ServSafe, the food safety and sanitation program. I'm sure I passed, and think I did really well. Most of my class was done with the test by 2:30 on Tuesday, so we all went out to party. I called Todd at 5:00 and he joined us in the city to help celebrate being done with ServSafe! We weren't out too late, but it still felt like a long day on Wednesday... :) This week in pastry class, we've been focused on eggs. We've made souffles - chocolate, any kind of fruit you could possibly think of, flourless, with flour - marshmallows (the made-from-scratch kind are SO much better), and panna cotta (my favorite new recipe that I've learned so far).
Thursday evening, our Culinary Management class went out to dinner to a Korean BBQ restaurant called Kang Suh. It was lots of fun, we tried a bunch of new foods and drink. We had a good time. Here is a picture of the group!

On Friday, we had a field trip and went around Manhattan as a group to try out some of the best pastry shops and chocolatiers in town. We hit Payard Patisserie, Financier, Jaques Torres Chocolates and Bruno Bakery. Google them and check out their websites. These truly are some of the most special places in the world for baking, pastries and chocolate. Friday night Todd and I went to dinner at Gramercy Tavern, New York's #1 rated restaurant for who knows how many years straight now. We definitely know what all the hype is about. For starters, the place is beautiful!! The food was truly spectacular and service was top-notch. We ate in the Tavern portion (not the main restaurant), which is less expensive and you can get in without a reservation, but didn't find that the experience was sacrificed at all. I can say that it is one of my new favorites and we'll definitely go back. Today I spent a good six hours in the school practicing my pulled sugar ribbons and my fingertips are swollen and sore. I hope there won't be any blisters! I do feel like I'm getting more comfortable with the process and on my way to getting ready for my first commissioned job here in New York! Tomorrow is the NY Times Travel Show. (Actually it's all weekend long, but I am volunteering there tomorrow.) The theme of the show this year is Taste of the World, so they've asked the culinary students to help with prepping and plating food for the show. More to come on that once I get back...