For those of you who don't know me well, I'm a very picky eater! I usually avoid dairy (gives me a bit of a stomach ache), seafood, mushrooms, and a couple of other things, but my goal was to try everything offered to me!
I started my day out helping pastry. I got to spread the batter for some of the maple leaf cookies for our "Chocolate Moose" and even taste some once they were baked. Absolutely delicious... but I already knew they would be. While I was working pastry, they offered me some salmon... so I tried it! It was actually pretty good... I guess I'm not as picky as I thought!
Next was the butcher station where I helped to make the duck confit for the "Duck two ways". This was great, because now I actually know what it is, and I know that it tastes pretty darn good. Yep, I ate duck!
Next was prep and I got to help with the mushroom risotto and taste our new 3 onion soup. Delicious!
Then on to Saute, where I didn't get to help out much, but I ate a TON! I started out with the Steamed Prince Edward Island Mussles (which are served over a coconut milk broth). Again, not so bad. I'm not really a fan of the texture of mussels, but they were pretty spicy, which is always good! Next is something everyone should be proud of me for... I ate the mushroom ravioli topped with roasted wild mushroom. Okay, I attempted. I ate about half of it, and decided it was delicious for people who didn't hate cheese and mushrooms, and then that was enough. I did eat all of the meat sauce, and the shaved prime rib I was given, ha ha!
At the next two stations, Floater and Grill I got to test all of the sides and sauces, as well as a brioche roll, and the salmon BLT. It was absolutely delicious and I definitely recommend it!
Finally to the Pantry, where I got to test all the different sauces and extras for the salads and desserts. I got to help make some of the s'mores and chocolate moose, as well as use a blowtorch to finish the prep for the creme brulee. It was kind of intimidating (I didn't want to ruin anyone's dessert) but a lot of fun!
Break time... I didn't know what to do with myself. Usually I'd eat, but I'd already had a fair bit of food and wasn't really hungry!
After break I went to Expo. This is the station where you should know your stuff! Here the person calls out orders, adds the finishing touches, and sets them in the window for the food runners / servers. Every time an order came up I was questioned on the size of the meat, or the sauce, or the sides... it was a lot of good practice, but it meant you had to be prepared!
Then I went to Saute, Grill, and Rib (which is like the floater, but also in charge of prime rib). It was nice to see the subtle differences between lunch and dinner. I got to try some of the food again, and help prepare the mushroom risotto!
In Prep, I helped cut limes and put away some of the cheese for the ceasar salad. Yes, I was near cheese!
In the Pantry I was able to test some of the sides again, and I actually got to try a piece of the whiskey cake! You see the top decoration "fell" off, and so it couldn't be served to a guest. Oh darn. It was absolutely delicious. Don't know if I'd go for it over the moose, but it's definitely a contender!
Finally, I worked in the dish pit for half an hour, then had a half an hour break and was done!
Overall, it was an amazing day, and definitely helped me learn the menu and see how the kitchen works. Hopefully now the kitchen won't be as intimidating when I'm bussing or working as a stocker. Everyone is so nice, and now they know who I am!
What would the end of culinary day be without a picture? When I got home, Ellen snapped this photo of me, in my lovely culinary day outfit... too bad I have to return it to costuming tomorrow, it was really comfy!
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