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Thursday 31 May 2012

Claire and the Chocolate Factory

Move over Charlie, there's a new kid in town. Me. That is to say, I have a new job working as the assistant chocolatier for the wonderful Rococo Chocolates. For anyone who hasn't heard of the company, its a London based chocolatiers that has been running a staggering 29 years. It has a distinct slightly quirky style and, most importantly, makes really tasty chocolates. Basically, despite only having done one full days work for the company, I am very excited about working for them. Its great to be part of a small, passionate team working on many exciting projects whilst being completely surrounded by sweets treats at every corner.


Throughout college I was always excited about the chocolate modules, despite the inevitable blur of cocoa covered mess I produced. Now, after a bit of professional grooming,  my whites are definitely a lot more white when they leave the kitchen than ever before and my new chef promises to iron out the last few stubborn messy wrinkles that remain. I'm sure in no time my whites will remain at a level that even Daz couldn't beat.

For now, rest assured that my days will be filled with ganache, marshmallow, caramalised nuts, chocolate cats and the biggest tubs of edible shimmer I have ever seen. Its a tough life..

Thursday 12 January 2012

New Year, New Post

Its been a long time since I even logged on to my blog, let alone posted. But its a new year, and probably time for a brief update. At the end of this month I will of been working at the Mandarin for 8 months as a real adult person, with a real job, cooking food that people are willing to part with money for.  I've worked on breakfast, room service, afternoon tea and banqueting. Had a promotion from a commis to a demi, started work at 4am, baked cookies for celebrity rappers, burnt myself a horrific amount, learnt about how to work in a professional kitchen: writing lists, delegating jobs and being organised.  Somewhere along the lines, I have started working in a way that doesn't leave a trail of destruction behind me. Although my chef is probably still dreaming of the day he arrives to find me with a clean apron. Basically, amongst all the hard work, I've had a ball. Made friends, learnt new skills and worked on some exciting events. At the risk of sounding smug, its exactly what I hoped it would be.  Thats not to say there haven't been days when I've thrown a hissy fit because somebodies accidentally burnt my scones, or talked my boyfriends ear off about some mislabeled creme brulees. And there was a time, when there were only 3 of us running the Pastry kitchen where I basically lived there. But overall, I am one happy girl.

I have to head to work in an hour, so its probably about time I got up and showered. But in the mean time, here are a few snaps I've sneaked on my phone.

My First afternoon tea function

All the burns


Carved watermelon

Current afternoon tea pastries


Evening Ameneties



Dessert Canapes



Table of treats


I'll try not to leave it so long next time.