Happy Saturday!
My practical ended REALLY well last night! My chef instructor actually was not there and another chef subbed in her place to grade. I think I lucked out a little though because the chef that subbed in her place was this newer French chef that has taken a liking to me (not in a sick kind of way—he just likes me because I’m a little blond girl that can speak French). Anyways, he ended up “helping me” with the garnish last night because I was just going to put a couple raspberries on top and call it a day. When he saw that he immediately took to whipping up some chantilly cream and making the dessert look a little more fancy. I got a 98% (everyone else in the class got the same thing though). He definitely has a soft spot!
I was going to go to the gym this morning but decided I would rather make waffles instead. So I did :). I made the basic pancake recipe from SBITK but used it for waffles instead. I topped them with maple syrup and leftover raspberries that I didn’t use last night to garnish my dessert. They were quite tasty.
Today is sort of a packed day, but all with fun things. I’m about to get ready and get in the car to head back to Tampa and I’m meeting a girl that was in my last class actually at GrassRoots for lunch!!!!! Turns out she is from the Tampa area and is a vegan. What are the odds?! She loves GrassRoots and was coming in town for the weekend too, so we decided to meet up. What should I order for lunch? Whenever I eat there I really try to branch out because all the food is so interesting and its a good chance to try new things. I just found out that the restaurant is having a raw/vegan cooking class on June 29th!!!!!!! I might have to try to get in on that……wouldn’t that be fun?!
I’m also celebrating my birthday tonight with my family (even though its not til Wednesday). Ryan is going on a fishing trip (we are celebrating next weekend—I like to span my birthday out to a 2 week long celebration) but the plan is to have a little Belmont cocktail party with homemade cosmos and then my mom is making dinner and dessert! I requested the lemon coconut bundt cake from Veganomicon and am bringing her the recipe when I get home. Yay!!!!
Romina
June 7, 2008 at 1:16 pmGreat news about your practical! Have a safe trip. =)
Lindsay
June 7, 2008 at 1:26 pmhappy birthday in advance 🙂
VeggieGirl
June 7, 2008 at 1:28 pmCongratulations on your practical!! Fabulous!!
Oh man, Grass Roots is amazing (from what you’ve told me, at least, haha) – have fun!! And wishing you an early happy birthday!!
Kimberly
June 7, 2008 at 1:41 pmThe Sprout Wraps sound delicious, but the Cucumber Chow would be so refreshing in this steamy weather. The Raw Burrito and O’fishal Sandwich also sound quite intriguing… I’m so curious about that “rawfried beans” concept!
Erin
June 7, 2008 at 1:46 pmGrassRoots?!?! You are sooooooo lucky! I LOOOVE that place!! And since it’s (mainly) raw, it’s perfect for a hot day like today!
Enjoy your meal & tell Spencer & Sabrina “hi”!! 🙂
–Erin @ “Vegan & the City”
PS-Congrats on your grade! Everything looks AMAZING, as usual!
BethT
June 7, 2008 at 1:49 pmmm, I would have to get a veggie BLT… I love fake bacon! 🙂 esp if they could throw some avocado on there…
Susan
June 7, 2008 at 2:11 pmHappy two week bday!
do you have a favorite brand and flavor veggie burger?
How do they premade ones compare to the black bean one you made once?
jenna
June 7, 2008 at 2:45 pmSusan,
my favorite kind of veggie burgers are either sunshine burgers or Amy’s california style. Both are AMAZING, contain no soy–just veggies and nuts. They are completely different than black bean burgers–more bulky and contain more stuff. I love them both !
Serena
June 7, 2008 at 4:19 pmhmm, I think I’d try something raw, since I normally don’t eat raw. That kale salad looks super tasty – kale and avocado together is a combo I never thought of but now I want to try!
Susan
June 7, 2008 at 5:27 pmHow does le courdon bleu admissions work. I am not interested in going to culinary school but just curious how they know who actually knows about cooking. For example, you seemed to know a fair bit before even entering school.
Becca A
June 7, 2008 at 6:27 pmCongrats on the practical, the dessert looks great!
Mel H
June 7, 2008 at 6:43 pmyumm, I’d get one of the sandwiches ! your dessert looks so pretty!! happy early b day jenna
Richelle
June 7, 2008 at 7:28 pmI like to call my birthdays, birthweekends! Who says they have to last just one day right?! Have a safe trip!
eliza
June 7, 2008 at 8:05 pmI was just wondering..I waitress during the summer and I was wondering if I could count this towards my steps in a day for exercise? what do you think??
jenna
June 8, 2008 at 2:48 amSusan,
You fill out applications and go through a ton of interviews. You don’t have to know anything about cooking or have experience before going because, of course, that’s what they teach you—from the ground up!
jenna
June 8, 2008 at 2:50 amEliza,
YES. I would definitely count that. You are probably burning mega calories being on your feet all day. You should try to wear a pedometer once to track it. Exercise does not in any way have to be the typical “i’m going to go lift weights now” way that Americans often do. In europe, walking is much more predominant than gym-going and there are a lot less overweight people over there. The fact that you are on your feet doing SOMETHING is the important part!