Striving for Culinary Coffee.

Bonjour,

It's been a while my good friends, but you know why?
Hrm, I was hoping someone would ('ha ha').

Right, so I've been cooking for about 2 months now, and feel settled enough to talk about it. The more time I spend in the kitchen, the more stir-crazy I get. There is still a certain part of me that misses rockin' the espresso machine. The showmanship, the rock star lifestyle, well... my memory chooses to remember the best of times to say the least.

Anyway, that's not the point here. While I can't pull shots all day anymore, or at all at the restaurant I am currently at, I can still USE coffee in my cooking. Currently I gain the most freedom with the desserts, which works quite well because I enjoy it and feel it's one of my stronger attributes (modesty being the key, 'ha ha').

With some experimentation, I was able to put a twist on a classic french-style 'Chocolate Pot de Creme'. The mousse style dessert in the photo is a dark chocolate and espresso cream pot. It has a silky and velvet texture, somewhat like that of a cheesecake. Of course, since it is made with almost a full shot of espresso per each 4oz portion, it seemed fitting to serve them in a demitasse. This was my first dessert featured on the menu where I currently work.

I will keep trying to push for coffee to be presented in a culinary way as I progress, and eventually wander my way back into the cafe scene. Maybe it could eventually turn to pastry chef... who knows.

Out!

Sometimes you 'gotta close one door to open another...

Hello again,

It has been quite some time since my last entry, as usual. It seems I need something rather drastic, or at least something with importance to spark me to blog, and you guessed it, I've got somethin'.

So, I have finally realized that no matter how much I love coffee it just can't pay the bills. In some time maybe it will, and I can pour my heart and soul into a mind blowing cafe, but just not yet. It's time to move on, or, at least grow up. How might one do that you say?

Well I resigned my position as Head Trainer for all 3 Coffee Matters stores over a week ago now. I made the decision that I want to cook and put a push on my presentational skills, eventually becoming a chef. I still am a true believer that coffee can in fact become culinary, and I hope to soon prove that, and incorporate it back into my life.

Anyway, I think I might lose a little of my sanity with lack of latte art, maybe I can learn how to drizzle chocolate sauce or something of the sort in the shape of a rosetta, haha.

On a more serious note, today I did complete my resume to apply for a cooking position. After careful consideration I decided on a portfolio approach; resume, then photos and then into reference letters. With the lack of formal / commercial kitchen experience, it should be rather effective (I feel). This will not be an easy task to snag the job I want in a high end kitchen, and I will not falter or fall short and work in a chain restaurant.

I am very excited to begin a new chapter in my life, and I will continue to put a helping hand into the coffee community and make sure I make my morning capp and have an afternoon or evening espresso.

Cheers to a new chapter,
and I'm out.

East Coast Photography Guild.

"Rise Above the Rest."
Originally uploaded by MattReynolds

I think I have finally pulled together what is becoming a very legit camera club!

Not too long ago I was stood in my best friends kitchen pitching the idea to him, and tonight will be our second meeting already. As of right now, we are a small 5 members, but are expanding, and were only 4 last week.

The club itself is pretty laid-back, despite the name we have given it. The meets are every 2 weeks or so, and they usually last between 1 hour and 1 1/2 hours.

This particular week, we decided on a "disposable" project. Basically, the project entitled everyone to a single use, 27 exposure, 35mm camera. This way there is no aperture, shutter speed, depth of field.... nothing to get caught up in, and everyone is on the same page. It's all about creative use of near-primal gear (ha-ha). The turnout should be fun, and I'll try and follow up when it's all said and done....

Cheers to good times...
Cheerio!

Summer is finally here!

Yesterday afternoon I finally managed to get out and enjoy a little warm weather and some sun. My usual Monday afternoon drive took myself and a good friend Brandi out through the town of Paradise and right to Topsail Beach. Surprisingly it was actually warmer right off the ocean that it was in town. There was fresh mowed grass, and a breeze that didn't freeze your skin on contact... it was great.

This particular shot is looking down the coast, and includes a young couple enjoying the weather as well. Great to see a nice sky again over the usual overcast winter version. (click the image to view larger.)

Cheers to summer!
I'm out.

The Bigger Picture: Wide Angle Lenses

So I finally chose which wide angle lens I was going to buy last week. It has been a fiery battle between three lenses: a Canon 10-22mm, a Tamron 11-18mm and the Sigma 10-20mm.

The verdict?
The Sigma!

However, the biggest problem I have discovered with the new wide angle lens is... well... what NOT to include in a photograph; the huge field of view is somewhat challenging.

This particular shot was taken on Fort Amherst just outside of St. John's, Newfoundland. I was taking it easy this particular afternoon and the wide angle allowed me to include my feet to show the relaxation. Grand!

anyway.... it's late and I've got an early rise tomorrow.
cheerio!

Exams

So, I'm going into exams, and again, find myself on a rather long hiatus. Soon enough it will all be over though....

The good and bad news all at once, well, I have to switch to our newest location down on water street for a full week after exams. The idea is to train all the new staff and get the new store all in line. So we will see...

and I'm out.

Hittin' the Road Tomorrow Morning!

This is my very own hand-drawn album art for the burned CD that will be in the car. Some photos will soon follow, as well as the rest of the story.

(posts like theses is why I put "life" in the blog subtitle folks!)

g'night chaps!