Week 7

We'll its week 7 here, and to be honest...I'm loving every second of it.

We just did our herb & salad exam which included some techniques on Friday. I think I did pretty well, I'll find out the results tomorrow. For the technique part I had to: chop and sweat an onion, slice and saute mushrooms, make mayonnaise and make a paper piping bag....all in 20 mins....I think I got it all done and in more than enough time.

After the exam we had a winter bbq here and a bit of a party ...then on Saturday I was in need of a quiet night home....so I decided not to go with the group to Cork. Sunday was really nice, we went on a cliff walk (photos are attached) then went to lunch at a restaurant that overlooks the bay and then worked/toured a bakery in Middleton. Really a great day.

Hope all is well with you lot

xoxo

As Promised

I know I said I'd give you some pictures of the school/grounds, here's some photos...to keep you going.

I'll have to remember to bring my camera into the school.

Enjoy...I'm heading up this weekend to see Mum at KD's (I'M SO EXCITED!!)

Week 4

How's everyone...sorry I haven't posted anything for awhile, but the Internet has been down.

Last Friday after school we came back to our house and the alarm was going off, and we had no power. After about 3 hours someone came out to figure out what happened....apparently my toilet was dripping into the fuse box..causing the "melt down." So, the solution=wait til the fuse to dry out.....no problem what-so-ever with no power for a night, the problem I had with the whole situation....the bloody alarm was not turned off...for 36 HOURS.

Sleeping through an alarm is not a fun thing to do...luckily Charlotte and I left to go to Kilkenny...so we avoided some of the alarm, but not all of it.

We got to Kilkenny, and had a fun time...did some shopping and had some dinner, met Marc and Barbara for some drinks...only to find out Barbara's car had been stolen! So we had a full session then went back to Marc's for the best home-made curried chips I've ever had!

On a positive spin for the weekend, I got to see KD..went to Dodo's grave to say hello...had a lovely meal at Paul's restaurant and had a good drive back down to Cork.

I'll have to load pictures next time because the internet is REALLY REALLY slow right now, so until then...I'll leave you with this thought:

A bowl of Corn Flakes, has more salt in it than a cup of Sea Water!

I GOT A JOB!!

So the other day in our demo's Darina (Headmistress, if you will, of the course...Darina Allen) announced that someone she met in Italy was looking for a person to come and work with her from the summer cooking in Tuscany at a new restaurant...so I thought, Why the hell not...I sent the lady (Arianna) an email saying how I'd love to come and sent her my resume...we'll she's hired me! Can you believe it! The Ballymaloe name is so far connected...she know's I'll be well able for the job after doing this course....so the vague plan is to go at the end of March and get settled in.

Here's a bit about the town:



Its in a town called Panzano in Chianti. Here's what I found when I googled the town...

Panzano (498m) originally a medieval castle, still preserves some of its old walls and towers.

Its strategic and picturesque position is best appreciated on the approach from San Casciano.

There is one main street leading to the church of Santa Maria which was completely renovated a century ago. It has a late Gothic Madonna and Child attributed to Bernardo di Stefano Rosselli encased in a larger picture with saints and angels. In the nearby oratory is an Annunciation attributed to Michele di Ridolfo del Ghirlandaio.

Where is Panzano in Chianti: is located in the middle of Florence province, at the beginning of the Chianti area

How to reach Panzano in Chianti: From Florence, direction south on the Chiantigiana road S222. Florence is 30 Km far

Nearby: Visit the Chianti area, Greve in Chianti, Radda and Castellina in Chianti.

Distances: Florence 30 Km - Siena 36 Km

I'm not sure where exactly I am, but here's a map of Tuscany...

AHHHHH I can't believe it! Just found the restaurnt, in this photo its just a wine bar, but they are creating the restaurnt now, they open up in March!!

End of Week One

Its an end to a wonderful first week...so far this is what we learned:

Flapjacks
Homemade Lemonade
Brown Soda Bread
Poached Pears in Sweet Geranium Syrup
Winter Salad
Potato Soup
Carrot Soup
3 types of Savory Tarts
Mushroom a la' creme
White bread
Scones
Crackers
Candied Orange Peal
Choc. Hazelnut Tart
Apple Crumble Pie
A variety of salads
Jam
How to joint a chicken
Wings
Chicken Breast
Gamed birds
Fork Biscuits

To name a few!

So as you can see....its been busy :)

By the end of the 12 weeks I'm going to be cooking up a storm!

Here are some photos of my Housemates and some chicken friends lol
I heard this week that Ballymaloe was in the top 5 cooking schools in the world....so far it feels like it..bloody hard work, but so worth it. So ya...

This weekends plans so far:
-Farmers market, some shopping, dinner at Clonmel and maybe a day trip on Sunday to Kerry or Clare, not sure yet.

Hope you all had a good week.

xoxo
L

Our good friend.

William not enjoying me taking his picture lol..I reckon he's got a bit of peter pan in him what do you think?
Tipton wouldn't stop moving so I had to take a cameo and his eyes were shut so sorry for that...we were about to play some pool.

Charlotte (eating a bag of chips...she would not be impressed that I posted her in this photo eating lol)


Tom beating everyone at pool lol

Photos of the house

So as promised....here's some pics of the my room and of the house..also here's Lauren being so freaking cute coping the mannequin

Day One

OK it was probably the best day ever...I'm completely shattered! We started our day with a 2 hr tour of the grounds and planted some lettuce. Then we had a wonderful lunch then ended the day with a 4 hour lecture/demo...so amazing, this course is going to be amazing...so much information in 12 weeks and the tests! My god so much but so great.

I know I promised pictures but like I said...I'm shattered, I need sleep...I promise pictures tomorrow.

Lotsa Love

Laoise