An Organized Mess

We have Auguste Escoffier to thank for organizing an otherwise potentially messy scenario.
A banquet event for 550 pax last thursday was quite an experience. We were briefed on the event and split into two teams, each of us having designated roles. I actually felt somewhat proud to be part of it all in a white uniform. But it's funny to think that at the event, while all the beautiful and assumingly rich people were having a good time, we were working to feed their lifestyle. Such is life, eh?
It was some Pacific Colonial type of event, and there were several dancers. It got me thinking alot during the event. I felt a general mood of provocativeness among some of the people and dancers, in their actions and dressing. I won't go into it, but it's sad, and it bugs me.
Anyways, while I've had the greatest opportunity to be working in a pastry kitchen, I feel like I can't move on ahead with my planned career. I've yet to receive my letter of enlistment into National Service and I'm feeling incredibly in-between. I don't even know if I can even take a holiday anywhere anymore. I'm so in need of a holiday right now that I'm even considering going anywhere alone, if I have to. I am however thinking of a cooking holiday in Tuscany. I think that will be nice eh? I'd just really love to get away somewhere, take in the sights, and enjoy everything it has to offer.

Oh, it does feel really good to do something on impulse. My glasses broke just before the event on thursday night, and I had to run the desserts with tape around my glasses. I looked really stupid and people gave me funny looks and kept asking me what happened. With just a broken pair and a week to wait before my new frames arrive, I decided on impulse to buy contact lenses. For someone who said I will never touch my eyeballs for the sake of vanity, I just did hours ago. Not for vanity though, but for comfort. On the plus side, I don't think they will be fogging up each time I walk out of the walk-in freezer.
So life as it is right now feels messy. I just don't know what's going to happen in the next 1 month. Well God's in control, that's a relief. I guess I'll have to enjoy whatever it is that I have right now. That includes the little lizard that's lurking next to my bed, and keeping me awake.

FHA 2006

I finally got down to uploading them pictures. I've been so tired to even upload pictures. Anyway here we go. The highlight for me I guess was to witness the Asian Pastry Cup 2006.

This is the Asian Pastry Cup 2006 Award giving ceremony.

Sugar art!More Sugar art. I wonder if the cakes compliment the sugar work or is it the other way round?

Team Singapore's sugar art!

Singapore's very own culinary team. That's Executive Pastry chef Pang Kok Keong of Canele, Les Amis Group. They were setting up their mis en plas and planning I suppose, their plan of action for the next day.
I didn't make it to watch them in action. I wish I did, but oh well.

It's pretty awesome to just even watch them. It's pretty serious stuff. From something that many of us thought was just a domestic chore, has become an olympic event!
Yes! Cooking has become an olympic event in it's own right.