Shuna in London: the job that inhaled my life.

Today, this morning, only a few hours after I'd gotten home the "night" before, a fellow who was fixing our beloved Hobart 20Q mixer said,

"How are you adapting to England so far?" And I replied, "Am I in England? Because I just feel like I'm at work."

I am trying to get a rhythm, build a schedule, eat, sleep and take a look at the city around me as I commute on the tube to work (1 hour). It gets light around 7 and dark at 4 pm so sometimes I don't see much, besides how the streetlamps set aglow wet and shiny big square stones or pavement.

Some days are better than others.

The job is new and exciting. Not to mention that I started at the absolute most busiest time of the year. O, and, our entire department moved buildings last week, right before the pie onslaught of Thanksgiving. Yes, even in London, Thanksgiving forced bakers to make and roll and form and bake hundreds of pies until the wee we hours.

And then there's the fact that the company wants to see me make a difference in every aspect of the business, yesterday. Organizing, new product launches, training, scheduling, problem solving and creating systems for efficient production.

A small order, wouldn't you say?

A few details for those needing to know more:

My new job is not a restaurant
It has a retail as well as wholesale business aspect
The production capacity and forecasts are massive
I have a big team and a co-pastry chef
If you live in London, and eat bread or pastries, you have eaten things we make even if you don't know our brand name
This is the biggest, most challenging job I have ever had
This position uses every aspect of who I am as a pastry chef, including much of the me that was developing before I entered professional kitchens
I will not be naming the company where I work ever, or for a long time

If you must have more details than this, I give a wee bit more away here.

Pictured here is a gorgeous loaf of traditional Irish Soda Bread. I have begun bringing my camera to work because I love what we do and where we're headed.

I hope you can bear with me that my posting is irregular and light during this transition time. I want to tell you so much more, but it's 1:30 am and if I go to sleep now I might be able to get some much needed sleep before I go back tomorrow. Thank you and bonsoir.

Comments

[jennywenny]

How exciting! Glad to hear things are going well, make sure to get some rest if you can!

[Anna Banana]

Marks and Sparks?

[Lyn Lidsky]

Shuna, Take care of yourself and get settled into your
new life and job, but keep us posted when you can. We all love hearing from you about your work, art and life. And we LOVE your photos and poetry. Happy
Holidays.

[Alisa]

Stay warm and toasty,things will get better soon :) You seem to be doing an awesome job at it! :)

[Jurie]

Shuna, sounds like an awesome job. It's great, and not always easy, to find the right challenge at the right time. Good luck!

[Emily]

I think it is great to have so many challenges. Not only are you busy but your mind is moving. In my opinion, it sounds like you are right where you should be.
Keep it up!

[kayenne]

I'm thrilled for you! Also envious. I've been wanting to get back just working in (someone's)the kitchen and not worrying about anything else, but it's not looking that way for me.

Instead, I'm hoping to produce and distribute cakes and pastries now, and hopefully have my own cafe/bakeshop in the near future. But, I'm scared and plodding around blindly right now.

I do hope you get settled in soon, and get to take in the sights!

[Natalie Sztern]

Always a pleasure to read this blog no matter what time u write it....

[jessicajlee]

I know what you mean about being hard to take time to settle in. I moved to London three months ago and still can't find the time to have a normal life. Just a fast-paced, busy place, I guess.

[Dad & Ellen]

You go, girl!! Shuna, your writing keeps getting better, even this piece which seems so quick and casual, the writing skill is there. Plus the way you describe your job--so great that it is so challenging, and that you are rising to the challenge. But please, don't work every minute!! You have many fans, and they want to see you taking it easy. But clearly you love your work!!