Creations Cooking Classes. Now This Is Fun!

Do you watch the food network endlessly?

Do you spend more time looking for new recipes than you do with your family?

Do you think your the next iron chef?

If you answered yes to one or all three of these questions then you may want to look into Cooking Creations Classes at The Midwest Culinary Institute sponsered by Krogers. This is a hands-on class and is a great way to have fun with friends and family. Learn all the skills and tricks needed to be an instant iron chef!

This past Monday I was able to help out as a student helper, and I must say it was a lot of fun and I can't wait to do it again. This is not for advanced cooks at all, if you love to cook and discover new recipes and flavors then you will fit right in with no problem.

Spring classes are filling up fast so make sure you follow this link to register.

If you use facebook click here for a super secret discount.

For more information call 513-569-1643

I Was Asked Why?

So when you are at least five years old you learn one of worlds most loaded question ever spoken, Why? It was always, why, reason was because we are filled with wonderment and sincerely wanted to know why. This is why I think I took everything apart in my house at one point. Funny thing I never really figured out why some things worked just got yelled at a lot.


So why am I bringing this up you ask....


Today I was in the Business Technologies office at school waiting for one of the Chefs to show up so we could have a meeting about next term and classes. I was wearing my chef uniform from head to toe and I was a little dirty considering I just came from my 7:30am Cooking 2 Lab class. To be honest I was a little tired. I wasn't alone though, there was a nice younger girl sitting directly across from me, looking like she was waiting to meet with someone also. All was quiet when she asked me bluntly, "Why did you choose to do Culinary? And is it hard?" Wow, I am sorry I thought I was on some hidden camera show or something? I also thought this was carefully staged question by one of my chef instructors to see if I could articulate the correct answer. Upon review, I just realized by my posture and the unmistaken look of sleep deprivation that this was real. My first reaction was to just laugh nervously and to choose my words wisely. I told her that is a loaded question, one that could take all afternoon to answer.


I told her that I chose Culinary Arts because from a young age I have been fascinated by the thought of food. The thought of taking innocent ingredients and putting them together and make some amazing is awesome. I also told her that it shouldn't be fun, with the long hours, the yelling, the stress, and the sweaty mess I seem to become everyday at work. However, for some reason it is fun, but fun in a way that borderlines on insanity. When you look at it from the out sided it seems the direct opposite of fun, it looks like hard work. It is hard work but gratifying and its a high that can't be found in a the bottom of a bottle or in pill. I think she was satisfied with the answer. Then I asked her if she was thinking about Culinary and she replied, "No, I am in nursing." I got up as I was leaving for my meeting and I said, "Next time I would love to ask you the same question."


As I headed home and got out on my bicycle to knock down some miles I kept thinking about that question. The funny thing is that the question of why never filled me with doubt like it would normally in past life endeavors.

Life isn't a question of why, but more like why not?

Greenhorn

So as my culinary journey continues it has brought me to my first job in a real kitchen. I am working along side Executive Chef Chris Ropp at the Kenwood Country Club. Chef Ropp was my Cooking 1 chef instructor at the Midwest Culinary Institute.

With this being my first job in a kitchen, there is not much room for screw-ups by the new guy. Last weekend was my first weekend, and the pace was crazy quick. Not only quick but long for a fat guy like me. Although I must say that when the adrenaline gets pumping there is, nothing more fun and I love it for sure. The flames, the yelling, and satisfaction of a job well done. Did I mention the yelling, I love it.

Not sure if anyone from work reads this, but if you are let me say thank you for your patience and understanding. Also thank you for keeping the hazing to a minimum.

Get out and eat the world

When Fish Sing

Well it is Lent and you know that that means, one crazy singing fish!

The On-Going Saga Of The Lunchbox

I am the Lunchbox..coo coo ca choo....


According to the calendar it is winter and well let’s say it is living up to expectations, and actually exceeding those expectations. Any how I have been spending time indoors, which means I have been cooking and eating and eating and eating. This however is not good because unfortunately I am not eating well. If you know me this is an issue. Now I will spare the self pity. I don't eat healthy it’s pretty simple.

So I find myself a little wider than normal by this time of year. Now don't worry I am not at biggest loser size but if I ate what I really wanted I would be for sure. My biggest issue is that I don't move my booty enough. Now I do dance like mad man or at least when I am watching DVR'ed episodes of Ellen. But one minute a day is not even burning off the creamer I had in my coffee this morning.

So why no exercise? First of all you should know I am pretty lazy by nature. Yeah I am that guy who sits on his arse and then complains about being a wide human. I have always worn this label well. Now I do, as the weather gets warmer, get on my bike and move the muscles and lose weight and go into my wanna be Lance mode. Just wait for it; this will rear its ugly head around the middle of April. Be prepared to set your watch to it and enjoy a laugh and point a huge L in my face.

So how do I change this pattern? I am not sure and I don't have some boring list of BS I intend to do differently because at this point I realize I will not follow it, and I will still remain a wide human.

My hope is that the numerous folks who frequent this blog will be able to offer up some suggestions. So watcha got?

Meanwhile I will be wearing my badge of the Lunchbox.... and the saga continues.