okay girls, lets rumble.....again!

[durangojo]

hi ladies,

 haven't been in touch lately, so thought we could revive this thread to keep tabs on everyone,reconnect and  hopefully welcome some new posters with their views, opinions and lives, and to create a new estrogen land ....anything new? good? not so good?..gypsy, are you still planning on opening your restaurant? how's that coming? where the heck is sosa & petals? petals,sosa, if you're out there, hope you are well.....leeniak, girl, you sound like you always got something goin on in your work... as for me...we have closed up the summer lake restaurant for the winter and have put it to bed until next june...busy, busy summer and half a dozen caterings already on th ebooks for next year...good to see the economy twitching in the right direction...i have taken a job cooking at a luxury guest ranch for the winter in the all too republican state of arizona.....it will be good to get off the mountain though and be warm for the winter, and if someone is willing to pay me, so much the better.....living on top of a mountain in the rockies in the winter has its challenges, for sure.....we have bought a 32 ft motorhome and are packing it up, starting our new adventure by heading south tomorrow....ii will have wifi for the winter, hopefully so can keep communicating....the ranch is in the middle of nowhere...no actually, its at the end of nowhere!....volcanic mountains and rolling hills..names like cochise stronghold....yes, think cowboys and indians......anyway, i'm excited...down side, is that i have to cook 2 breakfast shifts, which is not my forte or my liking, but as i said...if someone's willing to pay me......have to collect the eggs from the hens as well...that should be both interesting and entertaining!.......so will be out of touch for a week or so after tomorrow, so 'keep on truckin'...in the meantime, remember...wag more, bark less!

cheers!!

joey

 

[agchief]

Good luck and much success with the job in AZ.

I look forward to some hen house stories.

 

[durangojo]

great avatar...what do it mean?

joey

 

[leeniek]

This is attempt four for me to reply to this thread.  Nothing to do with issues on CT, just kids and stuff preventing me from posting!  Danged life getting in the way of my fun!! 

Good to see you again Joey and I am looking forward to tales from the henhouse!  It sounds like you landed a great job with this one.  Breakfast isn't that bad.. just think.. you will see daylight when you go home!  Scary huh?  LOL

For me work is the same s*** different pile, different day.  We have owners who are hands off so of course our labour is high... uhm if they are not going to do it themselves they will have to do pay someone to do it and well it is what it is.  I have a vent  though and I will post it as a new thread in this area..

Kids are good... daughter was a happy one today.. we were poorly prepped for today as I lost my prep person to the dish yesterday and the KM told me that she was ours and mine to teach once she arrived.  She was soooo happy.. she wants to be a pastry chef and loves the kitchen.  She is seven months too young to work in the kitchen full time but her time is coming...  She did a great  job on prep and is faster than some of our kitchen staff.  (Go baby girl!!)  Son is doing well.. he did a dummy  move when he was cleaning a knife in his food studies class at school and cut his hand but it is fine...it was a bit of a gash but it needed no stiches.  He is still looking for a job... with his issues I can't suggest him for a buser or dishwasher at work.. that is just not fair to him.  He needs sometng much easier. 

I will post a new one about work..  I have a story from today!

 

[leeniek]

 So we have this new guy and I posted in the pro forum about him and I did see some improvement with him but he is back to his old ways and it is hard.

I was  mean.. I put him on eggs and myself on fruits because I wanted the KM to see him in his glory.. I know he cannot handle the line but the KM had no clue so I did  it for a reality check for the KM.  Mean I know but hey... he thinks I don't  like him because he has schooling and I am self taught and well no... I have issues with him because he is a crappy line cook AND he is freaking overpaid.. there lie my issues...

I tossed this guy under the bus and it was up to him how he managed that and well it was a poor showing.  I know now that he is on prep on remebrance day and I am going to have the muscle on the line. 

dang.. I must hit the hay.. seems I am working tomorrow..  this weekend has been a mess for alarm times!

take care all and hope to hear from you soon

 

[dc sunshine]

Leeniek - you sound busier that a one armed wall paper hanger - no idea how you manage all of that. Good on your daughter, sounds like she did a great job /img/vbsmilies/smilies//smile.gif   I'm sure your son will find the right spot soon.  My daughter has pretty much taken over a job in our company (not cooking) as personal assistant - she does all the work in half the time that the last person did, and I'm not kidding or just being a proud mum.  Son is still in college with a year to go, but once he's let loose I think he'll readily find his niche.

Gotta laugh at you throwing that guy ounder the bus.  Best thing you could have done to show off his faults, would seem like it worked, 

Durangojo - if it's not too late - good luck with your winter job, sounds like a walk in the park - Enjoy!  And report back sil vous plais.... hehe

 

[agchief]

"great avatar...what do it mean?

joey"

Nothing connected to food, but then I'm not a chef or a cook...just a fan.

I spent 27 years in the USN & the USN-R, retired last year and the avatar is my old rating symbol, Aerographer's Mate.

Weather forecasting was my job, Senior Chief Petty Officer was my rank. The wings mean the rate, (or job) is connected

with Naval Aviation and the arrow is a wind vane.

I couldn't think of anything else when it came to avatars, since I don't cook, but love to eat and to learn...this forum has taught

me to appreciate what all you professionals go through in order to bring a plate to the table AND a roof over the business.

~Diana

 

[leeniek]

 Diana, welcome!  I like your avatar as well and thank you for serving your country.  We had a few Veterans come in for lunch this week and all of us made sure we thanked them for what they did for us.

I went from buying cookbooks with a vengeance to actually using them and now I work in the business.  Just because you don't cook much now doesn't mean you will never cook.

 

[catering101]

 Diana, welcome!  I like your avatar as well and thank you for serving your country.  We had a few Veterans come in for lunch this week and all of us made sure we thanked them for what they did for us.

I went from buying cookbooks with a vengeance to actually using them and now I work in the business.  Just because you don't cook much now doesn't mean you will never cook.

Yes, I admit. I used to be struggling with cooking. I also believe that even if you're already in the business, it's always a challenge to learn more recipes and make them more delicious for other people to love. It's a never-ending process, so wouldn't have to worry about it Diane. I always find inspiration here too...

 

[leeniek]

We have a guy with us who has "30 years in the business" and I must say I am less than impressed with him.  He is very sexist  ( to him women in the biz are a pair of t*** and should be treated as such and when I call board he does NOT freaking listen and that pees me off to no end. )  His shifts are soon to be cut.. I don't give a damn that he is friends with the son of one of our owners.. his work SUCKS and I just cannot have it.  I had him on prep on Friday and he did a crappy job.. sure he may think himself to be a chef but in my eyes he has alot of learning to do.  He is such a freaking primadonna.. can't get anything out of the low boy for himself and seems to think the kitchen revolves around him. I'd rather have one of our newbies in on meat and potatoes than him...at least with the newbies I know the job will get done and there will be no attitude going on.

I wonder.....this freak has 30 years experience.. why on this green earth is he still a line cook and not an exec chef somewhere??????????  Hmmm.. he works poorly with people and to be honest I would never want to work under him,  I'm new (9 yrs in the biz) and I would never ever ever act ike he does... maybe that's a personality thing. 

I made Dutch soup on Friday and it went over super well.. this a**hat told me that  I was doing this and that wrong with the soup and I looked at him and said... this is my mother in law's recipe and it has been  so for over 50 years.  He didn't like to be put in his place but well too bad. 

 

[gypsy2727]

Hey girls.....been outta the loop for some time ......opening up your own biz is crazy!

I am under construction and maybe in way over my head .......but what the heck , you only live once. I am totally exhausted and my house is a disaster zone  also , because I have no time for it.  I love that your on the road Joey .....sounds so Gypsy like....lol....( my style) you go girl. Leenie, sounds like the apple does not fall far from the tree!.....I'm jealous for that ......my two had no interest in joining me in the kitchen after I gave them a trial run......You must be a better teacher than I (BTW I am not on Facebook) ...Where is our darling Petals? Well this is a refreshing thread let's keep the estrogen going girls......

Gypsy

 

[leeniek]

 Good to see you Gypsy!  It sounds like you are very busy these days! 

I suspect my son might be considering a career in the food chain too.  He is very interested in the environment and how to eat and live locally so I suspect he is going to end up doing something involved in that area.  I'm not sure how my daughter ended up wanting to work in the kitchen.. this is a second career for me and not what I wanted to do as a little girl at all so who knows what will happen.  I have her scheduled in the kitchen on Saturday for prep and support and she is happier than a pig in poop.  She will be backup for our primadonna but they both will  be in at 8am so they can familiarize themselves with the station.  She is seven months too young to work in a kitchen on the hot line but we can get around that because I am there and she has my permission to do the dangerous work.  (kitchen work is considered here a dangerous job)

TTY ladies soon!

 

[durangojo]

so gypsy girl,

what kinda place are you opening, and when? under construction? ouch...sounds expensive....what food style? menu? bar? in the city? tell us more si vous plait...the best of fortune for you, really...it is such a hard but rewarding road...and as you know, cleaning out the grease trap at 3 in the morning is so very, very sexy! i've found that a shot helps in those times....what are you gals doing for thanksgiving? or do you guys even celebrate it as we do...here,its just a food orgy really...i'll be working, but i like that anyway...new town that's not really a town(ghost town,seriously...more later)...i love my job at the ranch...good people, lots of latitude, and everyone ceptin the dog is glad i'm here!...wishing you all the very best for a wonderful day full of food, fun, laughter and someone else doing the dishes!...seems everyone here(u.s.of a) gets so stressed out about the perfect turkey, the perfect gravy, the perfect side dishes...instead of remembering what thanksgiving really, truly means...being thankful, sharing food, which is sharing our love, and simply just being together.....and of course pie!...keep on truckin' ladies...enjoy your families, cuz you know its all gonna change come christmas holidays...i love thanksgiving.. its all about  gathering and everyone is so warm and fuzzy...come christmas, its all about the presents and who got who what.....ciao for now

joey

p.s. so far, i've lucked out not having to 'gather the eggs' yet... the guys bring them in and i'm amazed that they come in so clean(no poop)....must be cuz we feed them the kitchen scraps, minus anything relating to eggs or onions or garlic...they bring them to me warm though, which kinda wigs me out.....suppose i'll get over that all at some point, just not today!...nite nite ladies

 

[leeniek]

 Joey, warm eggs do sound kinda creepy but hey... how much fresher can that be?

Here in Canada our Thanksgving was last month and yep. I worked it.  I was SOOOOOO p*ssed off... I was supposed to have it off but the rest of the kitchen booked it off too and they were NOT flexible at all.  Enter new holiday policy.. first two people to book a holiday off will get it (and yes I am watching to make sure the same people aren't always getting holidays off) and the rest I will try and accomadate but there are no guarantees.

My inlaws are very materialistic and this year they are too into their own stuff to be able to afford a family gift exhange at Christmas.  To be honest we're saving $200 as the price limit was $50 and our kids take part in the exchange.  Supposedly we're going to play games but I'll believe that when I see it.  They all like to drink so I suspect it will become a drinking party just like every other family event.  The only time it isn't a big drunkfest is when we host the party.  We aren't big drinkers and we don't have a beer fridge in the basement.  We can quickly chill beer in the freezer and I always will have wine for anyone who wants it but that's as far as we go.  The beer store is nearby so they can load up if they like but we will not pay for it. 

 

[agchief]

"I went from buying cookbooks with a vengeance to actually using them and now I work in the business.  Just because you don't cook much now doesn't mean you will never cook."

I did once (about 100 years ago) work in a company cafeteria, I worked the lunch grill, hamburgers, hot dogs & grilled cheese.

I did enjoy some aspects...like knowing the company president sent his secretary down to our kitchen daily for my egg salad.

and my partner loves the breakfast I make.

But I don't think I will ever have the passion needed for professional cooking.

I am quite happy doing something special for one special person.

I do enjoy and learn from your posts...and yeah warm chicken eggs are something to get used to...Ms. Durango, you must be a city girl.

 

[gypsy2727]

Hey girls!

                     Joey my biz is slow in the process and no grease trap is on the schedule as of yet. The site is a historical landmark and is causing such a comotion in town ......mostly good...... we'll see. I have just lost a close famly member and am a bit shut down. Times like these seem to put your life on hold ......and everything suddenly becomes so clear.....hope all is well in esrtogen town since the "Rumble Bar" was shut down.

Gypsy

 

[durangojo]

no gypsy, the 'Rumble Bar' lives on!...we just moved it..its a good thing, as hopefully we will get some new folks interested......we need to have a party or something, kick up our heels a bit...seems like everyone's in a funk, or has had some personal loss, or just overloaded.....let's all think on that one, shall we?....being that your new restaurant venture is in a historical building, i'm sure presents its own set of problems, from wiring to plumbing to even being able to change anything without going through the 'hysterical' society...what type of food? how many seats? do you own the building or are you paying rent as you remodel? that could get expensive if its a big project, which it always seems to end up being, wspecially if you are putting in the kitchen.... leenie, hope all is well at your house and you are ramping up for the holidays...agcheif, yeah, you gotta have passion to cook professionally,it goes without saying that you need skills,knowledge, imagination and creativity, but mostly you need a good sense of humor, nerves of steel, and good legs? oh, before i hear the wrath of bdl, good, really sharp knives!  yeah, i'm a city girl, but when i left the city i grew up in(D.C.), i never looked back...have always lived in remote somewhat isolated places with no chickens...well, actually the caribbean is covered with chickens, but they are scrawny and mostly mean, and basically scavengers...and they poop everywhere! hen came in the kitchen the other day and i assured her that she would end up as the nights special if i saw her in there again.....she just pooped on her way out the door..just like a female, always having the last word, i guess.....mountain lion badly mauled a horse the other night....horse is still alive, but really injured.....think its been unusually cold early here so the cats are coming down to get warm and get food....interesting, the food chain, eh? my wifi connection has been spotty, so will catch up as i can...stay well ladies...

joey

 

[leeniek]

 A party sounds like a great idea, Joey!  We just have to figure out when is best for all of us, with our different schedules.  That's so sad for the horse, I hope he is going to be ok.  It must be cold for the cats to venture down so early.  Funny with the hen.. I guess she told you!

Gypsy, I'm sorry for your family's loss.  I know what you mean when something hits so close to home.. it really brings you to realize what is most important in your life.

We had a bit of a scare with our daughter.  A student she had a class with last semester was diagnosed with active Tuberculosis so public health did skin tests on everyone who was exposed to this kid and hers read positive it was 11mm and anything greater than 10mm is considered to be positive in Canada. So she had a chest xray and that was normal.  Her TB is dormant in her and it may never ever become active but we decided to have it treated anyway.  The preventative treatment of latent TB lasts for nine months and it is two pills.. one is a vitamin that will help her liver deal with the drug and the other is a powerful antibiotic.  She will have to take the pills for nine months and it will reduce her risk of developing active TB from 10% to 1%.  Today was a talk with the nurse practioner (she is really nice) and then bloodwork.  In two weeks we're going back to clinic and the meds will start.  Since TB is a public health concern the clinic supplies the meds to us at no cost and she has to go to clinic once a month for bloodwork and a general checkup with the doctor.  The nurse mentioned in our visit that she is expecting to see alot of kids from this exposure and that our daughter was not the first one she has seen.  One of her friends tested positive too and another one had to do the treatment when he lived in NYC as he tested positive for it when he was exposed at school.  Apparently it's more common than we think,

Work is a bit of BS right now but I think that if we improve communication between the BOH and the owner and we bypass the FOH stupidvisor things will be fine.  This past weekend was rough and I knew it would be and I was expecting to get yelled at just not for the reasons I did.  The KM got worse than I did and he gave it right back to the owner.  The owner wants to have a chat with the two of us and see how we can prevent disaster days and well.. the key is LISTEN TO ME WHEN I TELL YOU I NEED OWNER SUPPORT IN THE KITCHEN.. had he and the stupidvisor did that Sunday would have been a walk in the park.  I don't say things to be dramatic or create trouble or gossip.. I say things because it is the truth. 

Work Christmas party is tomorrow.. I know it's early  but they wanted to have it at the place we did last year and tomorrow was the only day they had left for the party room when we called back in August.  I guess everyone is planning ahead this year!  We do a gift grab game and this year they gave it a theme.. blue.  The budget was $20 so I went to Bluenotes (they're a casual clothing store) and got a gift card. I know some people are wrapping their gifts in blue paper so it will be fun to see what everyone came up with.  My daughter bought his big blue stuffed animal and I can see one of the fruiters fighting her for that one.  (she bought what she wanted to get because last year she ended up with  Simpsons shot glasses that were stolen from her and at the end of it, a shot glass chess board)  Last year I got Mr Plow slippers but ended up with an assortment of chocolates and peretzels.. I was very happy with what I left with even though the Mr Plow siippers were funny. 

I'm halfway through Christmas shopping but nowhere near done Christmas baking.. go figure!

Hope to hear from you all soon!

 

[boar_d_laze]

Might as well get the party started.

BDL

 

[dc sunshine]

Ay Ay Ay...Christmas is too close.  Business is too busy (I'm not in cooking prof.).  Just flat out so we might get a week off between Christmas and New Year's Day.  Hmm, I am looking for flying pigs.  You never know - we could all die of shock if we can shut the doors for just 7 days.  Got 2 months of school holidays for the young 'uns - aarggh!  At least it means some sleep ins with luck.  And lots of extra cooking - time they learnt properly, although they can do some things.  Business has always taken precednce in this household (grrr) but you do what you gotta do.  Otherwise they'd have more skills cooking wise.  They are great otherwise. Yay!!

 Gypsy - I too am sorry for your loss,I hope you're keeping your chin up.  All the best with your business.

BDL - thanks for the pressie pic it looks rather tasty -  when can I expect mine to arrive? /img/vbsmilies/smilies/crazy.gif