On the Fifth day of Christmas....

my true love gave to me.....5 lbs of mexican white tiger shrimp, 4 - 1/2 cups of rum, 3 kinds of mushrooms, 2 lbs of chorrizo, and a pound of jumbo lump crabmeat. OK so my true love didnt give it to me. Its only part of the many foods I am prepping for Christmas Eve at my moms house. I worked about 10 hours today at work, stopped at the supermarket for a few herbs and some salmon roe, hit Starbucks for a Espresso Truffle latte and came home to cook and prep some more. People think being a Chef is easy stuff. Deciding and planning the menu, shopping and prepping the food, cooking and serving it, and then the clean up. Easy? Not so much. Satisfying and fun, yep!! Its now 1am and I have done all I can do for tonite. ( Well actually I want to do more, but for some reason I have an allergic reaction when I touch raw shrimp and my hands are red and itchy, so I am giving in for the nite.) I will be up early to get going. Too bad Starbucks doesnt deliver!!

Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward Men.

Only 1 week til Christmas!! whohoooo. I am ready or as ready as someone so anally organized as me can be. The gifts are under the tree, the cookies are all baked, the packages that need to be mailed are at the UPS store and the post office and I am exhausted. All thats left to do is go to a couple parties and cook for Christmas Eve and a few things to bring to Christmas dinner. I was inspired by my brother Scott in Texas, and I adopted a soldier. I sent him a card and a not so long letter of introduction a few weeks ago. I have now shipped out a care package for the holidays. I felt so good looking for a few things I thought he may like and things that were suggested by AuntNancyUSA blog site. I always have fun picking out gifts for people. I cant wait until he gets the package and hope it brings a smile to his face, if nothing else. Doing something so small and insignificant to most means the world to some people. I searched for the right card, something wishing Peace and Thanks, and I found one I was very happy with. I hope the soldiers who get to see it, feel what I felt reading it. I am honored to do something so small for someone doing something so big for all of us. Thank you Scott for mentioning it all on your blog. May everyone's holidays be filled with the beauty and spirit of Christmas.

Put your knives down......

Put your knives down....oh wait thats Top Chef. Just a quick update for all my supporters out here in blog land. I guess I didnt make it to Hell's Kitchen. The last I heard was that we would be hearing from the producers in LA if we made the next cut. They would give us a call and fly us out to LA for one last audition. I should have heard by the end of the second week of December. I just checked the HK site and the show airs Jan. 29 so.... Everything happens for a reason, I do really believe that. I think the audition and call back gave me a newfound confidence in my ability as a Chef. I was really hoping to get a call from LA casting, but it wasnt meant to be. I recently started a new job that I am liking very much. To go to LA for the show would probably mean quitting my job, unless they gave me an unpaid leave. I tend to doubt that though. Its a good position as I have blogged about and I dont think I would want to give that up right now with the economy the way it is. Althoughhhhhhhhhh.....if they had called I would have had to really think it over seriously. I am sure most of you ( and you know who you are ) would have encouraged me to go. Alls well that ends well. Maybe next season I will audition again. More seasoned and more confident!! Chef Ramsey is happily married anyway!

Back to the future?

Here I am, back to the future. At least my future anyway. I am once again gainfully employed. I am now the Sous Chef for a major food service company. I wont mention any names here but we are one of the largest in the country ( revenue wise that is ). I have been trying to get a job with this company since I moved back to NY from FL three years ago. I have always wanted a corporate position and I finally have one. My company is contracted by large companies, stadiums, schools, and prisons to name a few. I happen to be working in a school. The hours are better than any restaurant, I never work later than 730pm. Unfortunately, this school is a live in school so we are open 365 days a yr. The benefits ( healthcare, vision, dental, vacation, sicktime, personal time, 401k which they contribute to, and life insurance ) alone are worth any position with this company. Salary is competitive with yearly raises. Room for advancement is amazing and encouraged by management. Accounts are all over the USA and who knows in a couple years I could be the Executive Chef for a new account in lets say, Dallas!! I was told I blew away the Regional Director and the Director of Food services on my interviews and everyone was very excited for me to start. Its hard work as I run the kitchen and even though I come home aching, tired and feeling about 90, I really like it. Now my only worry is am I going to be called for Hell's Kitchen? Probably now that I am working. LOL. I just got an email on Thanksgiving telling me that the producers and casting in LA have not made final decisions yet, and hopefully we will hear by the second week of December if LA wants us to audition in person in California. Well, I am busy now working so I dont think about it much. I have read 2 books by Chef Ramsey and feel like I know alot about him. If I dont get called to LA, I someday hope to meet him at least!! Too bad though, probably wouldnt call me a fat cow at a book signing would he? I will post any update if I hear, but meanwhile- back to my future!! Its going to be a great one!! NO MATTER WHAT!

Hell of a New Year coming?

On friday Oct 17, I went into Manhattan with my brother Marc ( he was along for the support ) to audition for Hell's Kitchen Tv Series. It all started with my cousin Jill emailing me a link for applying for the show. That was a week or so before I went to Texas. While I was in Texas I received a call from the Casting Director for the show. I was a bit hesitant about the validity of the call, but was soon convinced it was for real. I happened to be sitting with my niece Cassie and SIL Angie. I had to leave the room so I could curse!! It was basically a phone personality audition and after 20 minutes or so, they wanted to sign me up for the on camera audition. I was still in a state of shock but very excited. Cassie wants me to be famous so I can make her famous. ( still trying to figure that one out ). I asked my brother Marc to trek into the city with me for some moral support. He is and has been my biggest fan since I was in Culinary school. I knew he would help me emotionally get thru it all. Upon arriving for the audition, I met with Debbie ( twin sister of Lisa who I had spoken to on the phone ) and Sean who was the computer camera man. I felt immediately at ease with them and laughed while Debbie briefed me for the taping and even questioned my brother. Now it was time to go on camera. Funny thing was I thought I would be really nervous, but I wasnt. I put on my chefs whites and was hooked up to a mic. I was given instruction to be thorough in my answers to the questions Debbie would ask me. Give specifics not just answer yes or no. I did a brief introduction about growing up, working in the dental field for 20 yrs, and going to culinary school. I was smiling and laughing all the way. Having a blast, although some of the questions were interesting. Like, Have I ever had sex in the kitchen? Do I have any tattoos or peircings? How would I react if Gordon Ramsey calls me a fat cow on national tv? Why would America love to hate me? Will I be underestimated by the other contestants? Then finally when I thought she was going to ask me what my family would say IF I WON, she actually hesitated and asked me what would my father say if I won? She knew my dad had died when I was a teenager and wanted my reaction on camera. I immediately welled up, and couldnt speak. Finally got out of my mouth that she blew me away with that question, and I knew he would be extremely proud of me. Crying like a baby now, with Sean handing me tissues, I remembered I was on camera being taped. So I started laughing. When the tape was turned off, she said she knew how I would respond since she had lost her dad early in her life too. She wanted everyone who would watch the tape to see that side of me. Taping was done and my microphone was being removed, I realized I was wearing my chain with my dads shield on it. MY dad was with me for all of it. I had forgotten I put it on, since I hadnt worn it since before the summer. When I said OMG look what I am wearing she put me back on tape to say it. Lisa went out to the other room where Marc was and spoke to him, telling him she made me cry. LOL Sean was finishing up with the computer and said to me " YOU were fabulous, I think you made the show!!" I couldnt stop smiling and thanked him profusely. Kisses and hugs goodbye all around, Marc and I went outside. I needed a drink, but settled for a cigarette. I turned to Marc and said- OMG what have I just done? laughing and smiling. I felt so good, so confident and so happy that I did this. I kept saying to Marc, I really do have a great personality, his only response was, well not THAT great!! He had turned me into a monster!! Built me up the whole way there and kickin me back down. Thats what brothers are for I guess! Marc asked me when I would be hearing from them, I forgot to ask. I was sooo excited I completely forgot. I emailed them over the weekend, to thank them all and tell them I had such a great time doing this, and asked maybe when I could expect to hear something. I got a response yesterday and Lisa said probably a couple of weeks. So keep your fingers crossed and say a little prayer!! The show starts taping in January of 2009. I am doing my Gordon Ramsey research just in case. Reading about his life, personal and culinary, and going to start practicing some foods I know Chef Ramsey expects to be prepared properly. Anyone want some Wellington??

Back to the grind

Summer is officially over for me. Upon my return from vacationing in Texas, I have given in. The leaves are changing , the weather is getting cooler and summer clothes are being packed up for the season. Back to the grind as they say. I decided to go to Rowlett and visit my brother Scott and his family after my summer on FI. What would have normally been only a weeks vacation turned into 12 days. My brother and his wife were going to go to Vegas for a short presentation and a little R & R. Of course jokingly Scott asked me if I wanted to stay longer and watch the kids while he and Angie were away. I jumped at the proposition. Alone for 2 nites with my neices and nephews, how cool is that? Since I really have already done the tourist thing my first visit to Texas, this was just a relaxing visit with family. Scott had to be in NC for the first few days of my visit, so I got Angie n the kids to myself. Upon Scotts arrival home, Angie had already planned a getaway with some gf's, I got to visit with my brother and neice alone. We ate some of the Halibut Scott caught in Alaska, had some Pizza with Justin ( he works for Pizza Hut ), spent saturday running around watching Dylan play baseball, and Cassie cheerleading at the football game. Church and then some Pappadeux's cajun food. YUMMY!! Sunday we took out small loans as Scott puts it and he, Cassie and I went to the State Fair. Texans like to FRY everything. From bacon to pickles. I have to say the Fried Smore's were the most outrageous n delicious dessert ever!! We rode some rides ( the Crazy Mouse...omg it was so awesome ) , played some games and were totally spent. ( financially and physically ). Everyone was home sunday nite and we hung out. Then mom and dad left and it was us kids. We sugarred up, ate fast food, stayed up late and had some fun. Scott and Angie returned from a great time in Vegas to find everything still intact. I have been told I am welcome to babysit anytime!! I cant wait. We cooked, we ate, we hung out. I had a blast. Hope they all did too. Cant wait to go back. Thank you Scott, Angie, Justin, Dylan, Marissa, Cassie, Tipsy and Mr Higgins for a great 12 days.

I even thought about staying longer since I am not working at this time, but while I was in Texas

I received a call from the casting director of Hell's Kitchen. I have an audition on Friday Oct 17. HAHAHAH who would have thought? Cassie is hoping that I win the show and the restaurant I get to run is located in Dallas. HMMM that would be interesting!! So now I am home, did my fall cleaning, filling out online job applications, sending out resumes, and thinking about when I want to go back to Texas. Until next time, Happy Autumn !!

Wake me up when September ends....

Summer has come and passed....the tired has barely last, Wake me up when Sept ends. My summer on FI has ended. Whoohooo. All good things must come to an end at some point right? It was time. I made it thru Labor Day weekend and man were we slammed hard. Tumbleweed tuesday is the day after Laborday as the town becomes a ghost town. I was sick in bed for those 2 days off and slept away most of it. 4 months working and living on FI was everything, nothing and more than I thought it would be. I learned so very much both culinary wise and personally. I gained invaluable experience working in a restaurant and under another Chef. The ALA CARTE experience was amazing, even though it was backbreaking and exhausting. I know now that the past few years I was right in saying I never wanted to work in a restaurant setting. I DON'T. EVER! ( ok maybe not ever- if I owned it I might just be open to it ) LOL. I also learned I dont like living with approximately 10 college kids sharing a bathroom either. I felt like a house mother in a coed frat house. Although I did learn to back off ( I was not their mom ) it was an experience I dont think I want to experience again. That was the worst of it. The best parts were, I had alot of fun working with Chef Bobby, I met some awesome people, I had the beach and the bay steps away from me on a daily basis, and people most important to me came out to visit me. I read about 30 books ( I wasnt into the socializing after work- it was more like Spring break week at nite ) so I would retire up to my room, shower n camp out in my little bedroom and read. Thanks to my brother Marc, who brought me some incredible books ( mostly about chefs ) and some goodfriends who sent me or lent me some good reading, I was never really bored. I got home 2 weeks ago, and think I have finally unpacked and feel comfortable sleeping in my own bed again. Although my suitcase is still in my room as I am getting ready for 12 days in Dallas visiting my brother and his family. I am sooo excited about it, that I cant wait. Then I will have to come home and back to reality and look for a new job. Not quite sure what I want yet, I would love another small catering hall, I have a new outlook, new menu ideas and a desire to be different.....but I am also thinking about maybe something corporate. Weekdays, reasonable hours, benefits....the stuff we need. Guess I will see what happens when I get home from Texas. In the mean time, my dear cuz-in-law ( CIL ) Jill sent me the email addy for the application for Hells Kitchen. HAHAHA funny thing is that I actually filled it out and sent it in. I must be crazy. I have finished my Christmas shopping since I have returned home, and it actually feels really good. I know you all think I am nuts since I was asking you all about our secret santa thing in august, but as they say i culinary school......its 99% prep....Tommorow I turn 47!! Not really a milestone but pretty unbelievable nonetheless. Where has the time gone. I know those of you older than me ( not too many of ya ) are laughing as you read this, but guys...its gonna come fast. So technically all ya'all are right behind me. ( is that the correct usage of all ya'all ?) But I think the very best thing this week of all is that I went to buy a pair of jeans to bring to Texas since the ones I have were very big on me, and what do I find, but i went down 2 sizes since april. WHOHOOO..... guess all that hard work and eating good fresh fish all summer paid off. Life is good. Life is short, take time to be with those you love, tell them you love them, and laugh ALOT!! Thanks to those of you who came out to visit me this summer. I loved having you come!! xox