/new crazy work schedule.

suddenly I am quite busy.
a little too busy.
working here and there, to and fro. yesterday I worked in 2 kitchens, totally different.
and 2 classes next week-- I am teaching ice cream basics to a large group of high schoolers on 4/8, and then of course the pastry class on 4/12.
i'll be lucky if I can take this sunday off.
you know what's going to be really fun? getting to work at 5:30 am this saturday. eek.
"consulting" is a such an interesting beast. mostly it means I have a bit of free time to jump into the fire of other kitchens i like. not married to one can be freeing and expanding, if not a little schizophrenic. consulting means making sure to schedule in some time off, if possible.

the best thing about my second job is i'm not just a sweet chef there. there's a smoker and a lot of chicken to coat in flour and coleslaw to make on the fly and an amazing, kick ass chef to take orders from. we both come from the old school and i can't tell you how refreshing it is! sometimes just the mere sight of watching someone on the line whose body moves economically, whose line-cooking abilities are as fluid as Venezuelan Spanish, is a beautiful thing. something profound has been lost when chefs can no longer line-cook. it's been almost 15 years since i worked the line and i can't think of a better person to re-learn from.

and the smoker? 3 of me could fit in there comfortably. zow.

p.s. on another, completely different note, word from Nate, chef of A16 is in--- whole roasted fava beans can be found there starting now. please. go. there. really, you won't be disappointed.

Comments

[Aran]

When it rains it pours right? It's good to be busy though. It must mean something... Good for you!

[kudzu]

I know where you're line cooking! Are you going to write about it in more detail? Your hints weren't so subtle that Brenda Starr couldn't track it down.

[alboozy]

fresh biscuits...Blue Bottle...Blue Chair....yummy waffles

[Tartelette]

Happy to hear you are busy but ahppy. I love consulting and I love when I get to share the hot line with former colleagues! Hope you get some time for a breather soon :)

[Mags]

Waitaminnit. Are you working at BSK? I recognize that counter - I've eaten lunch there almost every day since I discovered the place. Freakin' AWESOME. I adore that place, and Tanya is doing great things for West Oakland.

Also had dinner at MONO last night. Dinner was OK, but the butterscotch pots du creme was killer. I'm sure you had something to do with that?

[Natalie Sztern]

but do u love it?! Ask and if u say yes, u are so lucky and in a good place

[Kitt Gardner]

Having recently eaten at the delicious place with the smoker, I have to tell you I was so impressed watching you all work in the kitchen: like some quiet Zen clockworks! Waiting for my food while sumptuous aromas pleased and teased, I studied the kitchen atmosphere-- so serene (and respectful) amidst the non-stop work in cramped quarters on view to all--no wonder the food is so good!
The t-shirt woman from Sacramento (aka Kitt)

[Lori S.]

Yes, consulting can be like freelancing and several other forms of self-employment -- if you're not careful, you end up working *all the time*, and that's not good for the soul.

But it sounds like your new second job is very good for the soul indeed.