Garde Manger

By far, this class was my favorite. And what utterly amazed me is not only did I learn how to do so many different artistic things, I wasn't that bad at it. What I love even more though is how much of Garde Manger I am actually applying when "creating" at home and at work.

Name:
Location: Pensacola, Florida, United States

I'm a Wife, Nana, Mom, Daughter, Sister and Friend (and not necessary always in that order). I'm also a Culinary Student and having the time of my life going back to school. I am now within a year of graduating, with only two courses to take each semester until then. I am also working at a local restaurant and training to become their full-time Catering Chef once their new restaurant opens downtown next fall. I will have already received my ACF Certification by then. This past year has been quite the experience for me, as I expect the next year will be, too.

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Vegetable Art


See that cucumber? I chopped off the flower's other leaf - oops. The small red flower is a tomato peel and the other four flowers were made with a Daikon radish sliced paper-thin then dipped in colored water. Don't you just love my apple bird? For my very first time of ever making one, it’s not half bad (even if the head didn't want to say in).





This is a closer shot showing my flowers. I wish the orange flower were in this close up. It was my favorite of all and ironically, it was the smoothest and easiest to make, too.




A close up of the cucumber. I was quite impressed with myself other than cutting off the other leaf. I had somewhat of a hard time visualizing what I needed to do to get this started, but once I made that "first cut," I couldn't believe just how easy these are to make. Those of you that occasionally dine with us can expect to see "cucumber art" on future table settings. Lucky you!




The Apple Bird. I know my Grandgirls are going to love having one of these to eat.

Next week we are "cheese" tasting so we will not be making any projects. But I will be working at home with Salt Dough and Tallow for my final presentation's table decoration. Since I am going to do an Italian theme, the Chef suggested I make the Leaning Tower of Pisa. That man is such a hoot! Especially since I thought I'd make a basket with the tallow and some bread with the salt dough to put in the basket, add a few flowers around it and I'd be done with that part of my table. Oh well, I have 9-weeks. And if I think about it - I made a bird out of an apple, flowers out of a radish, and a plant out of a cucumber. Maybe I can make the Leaning Tower of Pisa out of Salt Dough. I'll post pictures as it progresses.

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

WoW, Jessie! I'm so impressed! These are beautiful! You must be so proud of yourself for taking on this challenge of going back to school and being successful! Way to go, girlfriend!!!

Love ya, Beth

3:26 AM, May 26, 2006  
Blogger Jessie said...

Thanks dear (((Bethie))). Between us, I have really surprised myself that I have stuck it out for a year now. I am so looking forward to the fall semester and working towards the pastry field only. But I think I got this table art stuff in my blood now. It is just so much fun! (((Hugs))) sweetie.

9:28 PM, May 26, 2006  
Blogger pjpuppymom said...

Jess, love the blog. The table art is fantastic. You're so creative! I love hearing the pride and enthusiasm in your posts. We should all have something in our lives that brings us that much pleasure as well as a sense of accomplishment.

I'm sending you a little inspiration for your salt dough.

Hugs,

PJ

9:26 AM, May 28, 2006  

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