Cheers and Chocolate Event

Hello family and friends!  Last weekend was the big fund-raiser for the school called Cheers & Chocolate, and it was an AMAZING time!!  I was lucky enough to have my mom, sis and bro-in-law travel from Ohio to come to the event and stay at my place for the weekend.  We were packed in my little apartment (along with Jasmine and Marley), but it was really, really fun!!
Since I am a 1st year student and don't have a lot of experience in the kitchen with fancier desserts, I volunteered to work the front of the house and got assigned the coat check room.  I had to stay in the room the whole time, but the fam came by a few times to give me updates and show me the amazing food that was available.  I gave them my camera to document what was happening-here's what they saw!

Desserts going out on the first floor

A view from above

Kevin (in blue) and mom (to the left of K) in my classroom!

Another really packed room!

Kevin and Nena enjoying some treats!

Dessert close-ups!!

This is made out of chocolate... seriously amazing!!

Mom, Nena, and Kevin taking a break in the coat check room!

Here I am with Rusty, another student who coordinated all front of the house volunteers. He did a great job!!

Nena recovering on my couch with the pups =)

The whole experience was so great... I'm looking forward to creating some of the amazing desserts for next year!!  And, anyone can come, by the way =)...

So, this week in class we worked on our final recipes which we will create next week!!  I can't believe how fast this quarter has gone!  Monday will be the written final and product ID (more identifying foods and equipment in the bake shop), then Tuesday and Wednesday we will bake our 5 recipes for the chef to grade (he will look for uniformity and taste).  Here's what I have been working on:

We have to make one "diet" item.  I'm making this bread, which is gluten-free with cheddar cheese.  It's actually not TOO bad, but just not quite the same as regular bread.  

These is the assembly of my bear claws: puff pastry dough filled with an almond paste cream

Here they are right out the oven!

I'm also making croissants.  These are the first ones I made...  The feedback I got the chef: the ends need to be tucked better underneath and they needed a few more minutes in the oven.

I will also be making pumpkin quick bread and round rustic bread loaves.  I'll be sure to share those pics next week, they're for all the marbles!!  I also had mom take a pic of me in my uniform (sans my "funny hat" according to my sister!)

In other news, I have been training at the hospital for a few weeks now and everything is going good.  The other RD's are really nice, so I hope to make some friends!  It's a good balance from class and dietitians seem to be pretty well-respected which is always nice!
After next week, I have two weeks off from school for Spring Break.  I will be working, but plan on visiting Nena and helping her get stuff done around the house in preparation for baby Loughrin!!  And, I hope to visit with my family!!
Have a great week everyone!