Life After Culinary School

I've been pretty busy since school ended. My first priority was finding a job and after an intense few days of interviews and trails, I am happy to say I am employed!!! I will be cooking in the JPM Executive Dining Room. As I've had to explain to many people, it is NOT a cafeteria. I will be cooking for partners and clients, special lunches and or dinner banquets. I'm pretty excited. The kitchen is located on the top floor of the JP Morgan building with huge floor to ceiling windows. The view is absolutely amazing. Unfortunately friends will not be able to come eat there...unless you're a client of someone at JPM...It is pretty ironic that I left finance to pursue my culinary passion and I end up working in a financial institution...and almost directly across from my old building. Ah well...fate has a sense of humor.

I turned 25 recently....and celebrated with friends in a manner I thought was most befitting of a mature twenty something adult....with pink party hats, picnic food and party games. Haha...yes there might be some quarter life crises happening here. For my birthday, a special someone took me shopping at Korin, one of my favorite stores in NYC. Once upon a time, I would have dreamed of a shopping spree at Club Monaco (ok, I still would love that) or Bloomingdale's or Reiss, but now I drool over Le Creuset, KitchenAid, All-Clad, Misono. My, how times have changed.

I'm moving out of my apartment this week so have been preoccupied with organizing/packing/selling furniture. Moving in NYC sucks. Don't worry, I'm still eating plenty, just haven't had time to upload photos and blog about it. I'm going home to California for a long visit soon, so expect some food posts from the Bay!

The End of the Road...or the Beginning?

I can't believe I'll be graduating on Wednesday (that is if I pass my final.) It feels like yesterday I had just purchased my first pair of black rubber work shoes and was learning how to dice and chop. Now I have scars all over my arms, have put on 5 pounds, and have a shiny new Japanese knife that I show off like a newborn baby (Misono 440 Gyutou). I've grown in so many ways...both in and out of the kitchen. Time really flies when you're having fun. I have enjoyed culinary school more than I ever could have imagined. I think it's the first real rewarding endeavor I've had since graduating from college. I've learned so much and met so many interesting people. But alas, play time is over and I must enter the real world again and find a job. I'm not quite sure I'm ready to leave the nurturing FCI kitchens!