Slainte!

I went to Ireland this past weekend to attend the wedding of Sarah Mitchell and Anthony Duddy. It was precisely what the doctor ordered. After making Pan fried sea bream, squid stuffed with langoustine risotto and cilantro (I got a tres bien from Clergue!), I journeyed on the RER to Charles de Gaulle. I met my driver at the Belfast Airport and in 2.5 hours, I was among more friendly faces than I could have ever hoped for. My parents and sister Lauren first and foremost, the Mitchells, the Sullivans, the Braens, the Bryans, the Gatewoods, the Constantines, the Kahns, the Jewetts all of them very close family friends and all of them offering up hugs (and Guinness!) I have never made an entrance like I did that night, and really realized how absolutely wonderful all those people are. I was in heaven. A club sandwich to go- and an irish coffee with my parents and the Sullivan's at the local pub, and I was out like a light.

The wedding was gorgeous, the weather was beautiful, everyone was so happy and it was a great time. I was very sad to have to leave on Sunday. After getting home at 2am (flight delays were annoying, but more time with Mom and Dad was fabulous!), I went to class yesterday. We learned about squab breast wrapped in cabbage, legs stuffed, tartlets with wild mushrooms. Chef Clergue was great in the kitchen again and I was excited to get down and dirty with some dirty birds. I was extra excited to learn about squab because our first atelier is squab, so I was anxious to know how it can be done, and most importantly, how it's to be cooked. We had Thivet for practical today and I got a parfait. We quickly and quietly worked and I think he was happy with our group. I'm off tomorrow and need to get packing because I'm moving! I found a new apartment right in the same area where I live now and it's perfect. While I'm really sad to leave the paradise on Rue Casimir Perier, I'm excited about what this new place will bring me!

Also- if anyone has any brilliant thoughts on what I might want to do with squab for my atelier...bring them on!

A Bientot!

Iceland, you've really done it this time!

Beach is stuck in Iceland. That damn volcano has decided to spu ash again, and she's stuck, ALONE in Iceland! The poor thing had to take a bus for 6 hours in Iceland, and is hoping to get to Paris tomorrow. I'm just so darn SICK of this volcano! Sure it was funny the first time Gill said her plane was canceled due to a volcano, but this just isn't funny anymore!

This week has been pretty quiet around LCB. Monday we had demo then practical and made the most delicious meal. We made pan fried steak, turned potatoes cooked in goose fat, a celery flan and madeira sauce, and I have to say...I killed it! We had Chef Thivet who has really grown on me. In demos he seems completely disorganized and not prepped, but manages to finish with plenty of time remaining and is just so happy all the time! I really like him. We had him in practical and I was nervous, I've never gotten more than a "bon travaille" or "bien' from him and because he did the demo, I wanted to knock it out of the park. It was really fun, we got to decorate the top of the flan with blanched strips of leek leaves and carrot and celery root rounds. I thought I would hate that part, but I actually really liked it. I got a 'magnifique' from Chef Thivet and he said my sauce was 'parfait'. I was thrilled!

Here's a picture of the dish after he had tasted it, so it was a little messy.



We had our student soiree on Wednesday night which was SUPER fun at this bar in the 6th. It's so great seeing everyone all dolled up and letting loose together, but I'll tell you what: there are about 25 people that I know! I didn't recognize anyone!

Well I'm off to study and pray that Beach arrives tomorrow morning, I can't imagine what she's doing in Iceland!

A bientot!