In the Words of Jessie Spano

"I'm so excited, I'm so excited, I'm so...scared!"

I've had a big week so far and it's still shaping to get bigger.  I moved into my new housing on Tuesday.  It's located on a tiny island in the East River called Roosevelt Island.  So it sits right inbetween Manhattan and Queens and is about 2 miles long, 800 feet wide - very small.  I live in a 22-story apartment building on the top floor corner unit.  It's a 3 bedroom shared apartment so it's much nicer then I expected it to be for student housing.  There are all types of people who live here and not just students.  There is a subway stop here, a tram (currently under construction) and a bridge to connect us to the rest of the city.  For .25 cents you can hop of a red metro bus that just circles the island.  If you can hurdle over the many strollers to get a seat in the back it's really not a bad ride.

My new roommates are awesome.  I live with three other girls that are all part of the same pastry program I am in.  Jessica is 22, from New Jersey and she is about to start Level 3 in the program, she brought home the most amazing cake with these gorgeous sugar roses on them.  She shares a room with Gabby, also 22 from New Hampshire.  Gabby is about to go into Level 2 at the night program at FCI.  She works during the day at a cookie place that is on its way to stardom.  It was voted the best chocolate chip cookie by New York Magazine and is about to be sold at Starbucks, so keep an eye out!  Then there is Meg who is my age and she is from M-i-s-s-i-s-s-i-p-p-i.  She is about to start Level 2 in the day program and has been most helpful on what I need to have the first day and what to study first so I can get a jump on things.  She just found out yesterday that she got an internship with Jean-Georges restaurant which is very exciting. So all and all I really like them and can learn a lot from them.

Yesterday I had orientation, I got to pick up my Level 1 binder which covers the intoduction into a pastry kitchen, chef's uniform and the kitchen brigade to knife safety, tool descriptions and methods of cutting.  Then of course it has the good stuff: Tartes, Petit Fours, Choux (cream puff pastry), Pate Feuilletee (puff pastry), Viennoiserie (pastries, rolls, bread, scones, croissants) and Gateaux (cakes).  OH MY!

Orientation was you know the basics of what to expect your first day, what to bring, school rules, etc.  But the best part was getting our chef's uniform and the Dean Emeritus and EVP of the school spoke to us which is none other than Chef Alain Sailhac!!  Which if you aren't a total food geek like me and don't know who he is, he is the who's who in the chef world, he knows everyone and could probably pick up the phone to any chef in the world and get you a job.  He was the first ever 4 Star Chef named by the New York Times.  And he probably would never tell you but I've been told he is responsible from bringing creme brulée to the U.S. in the 1960's.  He is a super sweet, jovial man with very charismatic eyebrows and a lovely French accent.  I was a little star struck!  A few other chef instructors came in a spoke as well and then we had a meet and greet with wine and hors d'oeuvres made by the culinary students.  We met other pastry students and culinary students, faculty and other students already in varying levels.  It was awesome and I really can't wait to start.

So Friday is the BIG DAY, I am so nervous and excited, but terrified at the same time.  I know I will do fine, but those first day jitters are starting to get to me.  Thank goodness for my roomies, they have told me what to expect and what we're going to do so at least I will be prepared.  We will be making a Tarte aux pommes, which in English is an Apple Tart and a few other French Tart Doughs. 

No more writing, must go last minute shopping for some essential tools and I am going to start practicing slicing my apples, tying my neckerchief just right, studying tomorrow's lesson plan and saying things like "Yes Chef!" and "No Chef!"

My chef's regulation dress uniform


My roomies beautiful sugar flower