Spooktacular Cakes!

I'm Currently:

Drinking tea & eating Triscuits.

Some Thoughts:

It's Halloween time at the bakery! We've been working on some festive fondant layers. Today we made a bunch of monster heads and then some black and orange 'bows & dots' cakes. We had one cake left over, so I made a cute ghost cake. I think it came out well... and I actually took pics, so you can see for yourself!

Enjoy! (& Bake Big!) Christine

It's Picture Time!

I'm currently:

Watching E60 (on DVR).

Helping Adam cook pork chops.

Some Thoughts:

First, I'm happy to report that all my stress the other night was totally unnecessary. The uniform thing was such a non-issue. I really can't believe I was so worried.

On a more exciting note-- I started to work on some of the larger fondant cakes today! AND... I remembered to take some pictures. I also worked for a total of 13 1/2 hours today, so I'm not going to write much (and instead I'll be tucking into bed soon), but I will leave you with a few PICS! woowho!

Enjoy & Bake Big! -Christine

(just a note: the first cake isn't finished yet... will finish it off with cupcakes tomorrow!)

Pow Wow

I'm Currently:
stressing.

and antsy for Adam to get home.

Some thoughts:
Today my boss held a few meetings at work. One for all of the employees, one for the interns, and then one (quick) combined pow wow. I'm not sure what the catalyst for the meetings was, but the basic gist of them was that we should all work together, act professional, and make good cakes.

One thing I took away was that he's now asking all of the interns to wear chef's uniforms to work every day. Now, since I didn't attend culinary school like the rest of the interns, I don't have a real chef's uniform to wear. So I'm not looking forward to looking like a scrub tomorrow next to all the kiddies who think they're hot shit in their white coats.

I mean, before it didn't matter that they went to school and I didn't. We all looked the same, and our ABILITIES are what made us stand out-- not our clothing.

Do I sound petty? Maybe... but truth be told, I'm nervous about being treated differently since I will not be matching everyone else. To me, a chef's coat symbolizes authority and professionalism. The fact that I'll just be in a t-shirt and an apron makes me feel like they've got one up on me.

Anyways, I'm not sure why I'm stressing so much over it. They said it would be fine to come in with what I always wear. And I'm pretty sure all of the employees will still be in t-shirts. Sigh-- I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.

I think I'll be a lot less on edge once Adam gets home... he should be touching down in about an hour... I CAN'T WAIT TO HAVE MY BUDDY BACK!!

:-D

Until Soon, Bake Big! -Christine

Pumpkin Biscotti

I'm Currently:

Watching Big Bang Theory and eating a piece of bread from Terranova Bakery in the Bronx. (Thanks Vicky!)

Some Thoughts:

Today after work I got a flu shot, went to the bank, and then baked at the Tea Shop in New York. We made Pumpkin Biscotti and Chocolate Chip Scones. We didn't have time to bake the scones tonight, but we got to bake (twice) the Biscotti. They smelled great-- and since we actually finished making them, I got to take some home, too!

Warm pumpkin, pumpkin seeds, candied ginger... mmmm!

Can't go wrong with that! Tomorrow is another long day (7am-8pm). So I'm going to shut down now, watch some more comedy tv, and then hit the sheets.

Until Soon, Bake Big! -Christine

Goodbye Baking Shoes; Hello Sneakers

I'm Currently:
At my old job putting in some hours, helping out, (and getting paid)!

Some Thoughts:
I'm sad to report that my baking shoes have seen better days. My sister's puppy was excitedly licking my shoes the other day because they're covered with remnants of icing, fudge, sugar, batter, etc. Good for the puppy-- bad for fashion.

Not only do they now look grungy, but they're not the warmest shoes during these fall months. And to top it all off, although the shoes were SUPER comfortable, they've been silently agitating my feet, and giving me a tiny bunion (gross) on each foot. I've been told that if I keep letting this happen I could eventually require surgery on my feet. (HELL NO!)

So, I must make it official, and after only 2 months of (extreme) use, I am retiring my baking shoes. May they rest in peace... and icing... and fudge.

Bells of Ireland & Animal Faces

I'm Currently:

Enjoying Columbus day & my first 2-day weekend in a while!

Eating an english muffin with peanut butter

Some thoughts:

First, let me apologize for not writing in so long. I have no excuses. I've just been so darn sleepy all the time. :-P

Second, some good news: My boss told me the other day that I can take all the pictures I would like at the bakery! So from now on, blog entries = text + pics!

And to begin with the pics-- last week I spent many hours making 'Bells of Ireland' out of gum paste. The little suckers were very time consuming-- and they were all for ONE cake! I think they turned out pretty well though. Here's a picture of the bells (and a picture of the cake is above):

Another little project I worked on last week was making animal faces for one of our children's birthday cakes. We needed samples of the animals to show customers, so I made all new faces out of fondant. I think they came out pretty cute:

These animals will go on top of one of our 'dot' cakes complete with a colorful party hat. ;)

Anyways, I'm looking forward to this week. I want to try and take lots of pictures, so I can show you about the cakes I keep referring to. Adam is away on business, so I should have lots of free time to write... We'll see how it goes.

Well, off to start the day. Until next time, Bake Big! -Christine

Back in the Saddle Again

I'm currently:

Making a pot of soup

Watching America's Next Top Model on DVR

Some thoughts:

I feel like the past two weeks have been a blur. An event in D.C. My birthday. And lots of days at the bakery in between.

The event in D.C. went very well. It was super exciting to share my knowledge of food and food presentation with other women. I truly felt like some of the women would go home and make changes based on what they learned from me. (yeay!)

My birthday was fun, too. Adam got me a new belgian waffle maker!!! (Along with a gorgeous pair of earrings). haha I'm such a baker! I also got to see both my brother and my sister on my birthday weekend. I'll get to celebrate with my friends tomorrow night, as well.

As for the bakery, things have been going extremely well. I learned how to make sugar roses (from scratch, all by myself). My boss has been really pleased with my work. I think he's coming to see me more and more as an apprentice and not 'one of the interns'. Tomorrow we're going to be making a new flower, which is exciting. It's so rewarding to keep learning new skills!

Anyway, I feel like there is so much more to tell, but my soup is ready and it's time to watch the judging panel on ANTM! haha!

Have a good night! Until Soon, Bake Big! -Christine