Honestly the past month, in and of itself, has bee a whirlwind. Not only do I feel, I'm somehow failing loyal readers, but at the same same, my academic demands have been very heavy. It is not as easy a some might imagine, to wrangle diverse personalities or abilities in a group of "adults" (read aspiring cooks or future chefs), into a cohesive team of professionals. Never mind coming home and trying to be witty and charming.
First , there is the fact that they may not all be on the same plain. Some are there to just get a job when it's all over, others don't put any effort in at all, because they feel they are NEVER going to use what you are showing them, so why bother, and then there are those, who want to know everything and anything to carry them through their future careers. This makes for a difficult dynamic, to say the least. The first group will show a marginal interest, do a minimal amount of work, and make an attempt to pass. The second will bail consistently, leave early for "appointments" ( although I can't, and strive to make all mine after school or when off),shirk their duties and complain when they don't get the grade they feel they deserve. The third will overachieve at everything, coming early, staying late, asking, questioning and seeking to do the more than required. They are a light in the dark.
I expect that this is true with many fields of learning, but there is something about wanting to teach the new guard, the "keepers" of the industry, the protectors of our craft, that drives me to encourage all beyond their imaginations. You see, it's not a question of them "getting it", it's more instilling an understanding of the processes involved. It doesn't matter if it's baking and pastry work, cooking, handling the front of the house, or managing the storerooms and walk-ins, or planning a restaurant you may never have. Everything has a place and a meaning, in coping with the demands of the business.This is a very hard fact to impress on students. Either because they have never really had any contact with it, or they think it's just not that hard out there. Well, let me tell you a little secret......it is really hard. One of the most embarrassing things that can happen, is to be let go, "fired", from an internship. This means effectively, you are so incompetant, that even though they are NOT paying you, they would rather do without the extra hands. Brutal. But, at the same time, it should be illuminating. Unfortunately, some will not even recognize it, for what it is, a cold dip in the frozen lake of Wake Up! If you are consistently late, fail to adhere to the dress code (which is there for a reason), don't know what the assignment is, wander around is if it is you first day in a new place (on week 8), fail to read your measurements and processes correctly, waste time and product, marginally clean and then leave early, dumping clean up on your fellow classmates........well, that's just not where it's at.
I spend a considerable amount of time planning lesson, doing research ( yes, I now I'm brilliant, thank you, but now and then even a diamond needs polishing), making up exams, projects and the like. I get up early to be there for them and make myself available after class to do post postmortems and give advice. It is enormously painful to watch people a third my age, drag themselves in, late, disheveled, ill prepared for the day, and fidgety during lectures......worse to watch performances on a sub-par level. It just staggers the imagination.
I mean why spend the money, or at least invest it in your future if you're going to waste the time and resources? Why? I am giving you decades of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to build your world on, why not suck it up in the time available?
Also, I don't give a rat's ass if you think you'll never do this particular course ever in your lifetime. NOT the point. It's part of your degree requirements, so do it to the utmost. Even if you don't succeed in turning out a world class product, take pride in ATTEMPTING to do so. Any knowledge is gained knowledge and you might be surprised at what life throws you. Wouldn't you rather be armed with an idea of it, than left twisting in the wind?
In the course of your profession, you will find that, the more you shirk your responsibilities to to your fellow team mates and coworkers, the more they will turn their backs on you in your hour of need. So don't wonder why. Oh yes, there will always be some who will be there to pick up the slack, that happens in all businesses, but that will only enable you to slack more and and effect all involved as a final result. Do you really believe that having some of your duties taken from and given to another will secure your position for the future? Time to put on the big unisex pants and make yourself necessary.
And to the brave and caring and concerned for their futures. Good on ya. Don't think you're being ignored or forgotten. You take on all you can, regardless of your situations at home or work, show a consistent desire to learn and push through, accept responsibility and see it till the end and never lose your enthusiasm.You help make me what I am and keep me wanting to teach you more. The effort you put in really shows and makes me very proud. In the end, you will rise like cream to the top and be worth every drop. You don't even need to do any extra credit, because you do all you can to begin with, and yet you do. Brilliant!
Now that the holiday break is over and we barely have 2 weeks till we're done, until next year, I hope you are a little more ready for what's coming. Finals and final projects, to insure you pass with suitable grades and evaluations. I have spent my down time getting these things ready for you. If you have not spent a few minutes a day getting ready for me, then I can only hope you all have photographic memories, because the last thing I want to hear, is that it's been too, oh, soooooooo, overwhelming.
With all the holiday craziness, shopping and eating, I won't put up a recipe.....perhaps bit later .... tomorrow is another day.
All my love,
Cheffy
