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Numerous friends and family encouraged me downright pressured me to journal and blog about my experience in culinary school, but as I sat here staring at a blindingly white page and a blinking cursor, I couldnโt think of one thing to say.

Except maybeโฆitโs crazy.
Itโs somehow different and exactly as I imagined it: A whirlwind of activity, baking and learning. Spoiler Alert: Read update two, three and four!
[Doesn’t everyone’s cat like to look out the window in taxi cabs?]
After we all have a little chuckle at the ironic twist where I get food poisoning the night before culinary school, we can get to my first day of class, which began something like thisโฆ
Chef Jurgen: โYou are the baker for today.โ
Me (out loud): โYes, Chef!โ
Me (to myself): โWhhhaaaat?! You mean I could possibly burn and ruin EVERYONEโS cookies? On the very first day? Lindsey, breathe.โ
I am relieved to tell you that I did not burn anyoneโs cookies that day, nor did I spill anything (much to the shock of everyone who knows me), nor cut myself unless you count when the giant box of plastic wrap bit me, which I absolutely do not.
This first week weโve breezed through cookies and the baking science behind their various textures and moved swiftly on to tarts and pies!
We had our first written test and our first practical exam during which we had 30 minutes to scale, make and bake these vanilla crescent cookies.
As a non-edible bonus, Iโve met some fantastic people from all over the world! My partner in crime, I mean in baking, is from Mexico City. I speak to her in Spanglish and she speaks to me in a mixture of English and sarcasm. Itโs a beautiful thing.
I can tell you, as my first full week draws to a close, that the hectic schedule, impossibly fast paced environment, lofty expectations and unattainable deadlines feel almost normal. I find myself organizing and obsessively cleaning my teenie tiny countertop workspace in my apartment and working as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Mid-slowcooker-chili-prep I needed to remind myself to chillax; itโs just dinner.
Iโm still not quite sure how Iโll integrate my experience at the International Culinary Center into AHC, but I can tell you that it will be impossible to keep the new techniques, helpful hints and nerdy scientific facts out of my posts and recipes. After this first week, I am even more excited to share my new knowledge and just bring you along for the ride.
If you want to come that is. If not, I definitely intend to continue posting delicious treats, more cupcakes than is totally necessary, and my savory culinary creations. Iโm super pumped and I hope you are too! Be sure to follow me on Instagram or Twitter for all my daily updates!
And these next cookies…are my absolute favorite so far. They don’t call them Chocolate Heaven Cookies for nothin’!
How in the world did I miss this first culinary school post? Just saw your second post, so hopped on over to check it all out! Fabulous cookies, Linds. I need a dozen or two of the Chocolate Heaven cookies! YUM. Thanks for sharing, girl! xo
Oh man I still dream about those chocolate heaven cookies!!! Thanks for stopping by my first update!
” I speak to her in Spanglish and she speaks to me in a mixture of English and sarcasm. Itโs a beautiful thing”… this actually made me laugh out loud. SO cool that you are in culinary school in the city… it’s something I’ve always thought about doing. But the teacher thing is pretty sweet also. I’ll be living vicariously through your updates, so keep ’em coming!
Don’t you get a sabbatical as a teacher at some point? Maybe you could do it then! ICC is amazing and you live sooooo close!
That’s so awesome you’re going to culinary school! I almost went to J&W straight out of high school but went to a regular 4 yr college instead. Now, I’m slightly kicking myself for not going, since food is really what I love. Maybe in my next life ๐
Thanks!! Maybe you’ll still get the chance in this life!!! It’s seriously so amazing
I am super excited and also super jealous. Have a wonderful time and I will be following along on IG!
Thanks Julianne! So far it has been one of the best experiences of my life. I am bummed I won’t get to meet u in Atlanta though!
What an exciting journey you have undertaken! It will be exhilarating, a little scary, and full of sweet fun. All the best to you!
Thanks, Thao! It has certainly been a journey so far and it’s only been 2.5 weeks!
Hahaha – cannot beat communication that involves a bit of English and sarcasm! ๐ Sounds like you had a GREAT first week – and girl, that food poisoning must have done a number on your brain for you to entertain the thought that you might burn the cookies – Miss master cupcake maker!
Oh I have burned my fair share of baked goods…including myself!