Mange Quoi?

So, this post will finish up my Paris saga. I have finished school, my stage, and am now living in Montpellier for a short time before I return to the United States. But this is by no means an end to anything. I will keep you up to date on my life in France, I will continue to blog, and I this is merely a beginning of my culinary journey. Enjoy!

Beautiful day for beautiful coffee. In trying to mark a few things off of my Paris list, Phillipe and I went to the Rodin museum. Unfortunately it was under construction, so we didn’t get to see everything, but it was a beautiful day and we enjoyed some time in the gardens. In mid-June I received my diploma from Ferrandi for completing the course, passing my exams, and finishing (more than) 3 months of stage. With Inga and Leonie Leo, Chef Stephane, me, Chef Seb, Inga Inga, me, Paolo, Leo, and Chef Antoine Anglo A love with Chef Antoine All of Anglo Cuisine!
Whittled down to Anglo A Cuisine All of the Ferrandi Anglophones class of Sept 2014 Just a super ugly fish at work (St Pierre)
For a little while we used fresh watermelon juice in our Amuse Bouche. For a little while, Europe was under a canicule, a painful heat wave. Fortunately these two events coincided and we could enjoy a nice glass of watermelon juice at the end of surface. Before we all headed our separate ways, some of the Anglo A Cuisine kids got a beer together at our favorite Irish pub on Canal Saint Martin. I spent one week in a bit of exhaustion as I rushed back and forth between a boulangerie (bakery) course at Ferrandi and my stage in the restaurant. I started class at 7 in the morning and finished work around 12 at night. It was a long week, but so worth it. Sigh. Bread. My greatest love. I started going to my favorite places for the last time to say goodbye. But I wasn’t sad. I love Paris. I adore Paris. This past year has been the most amazing of my life. It is exactly what I wanted and needed. But I am so ready to be home. I am so ready to thank all the people who have supported me and listened to me and prayed for me to get through the tough times. And I’m ready to cook for them 🙂

Speaking of those supportive people, Aria told her uncle where I was working and he came to eat while he was in Paris! Seeing people from home always makes me smile.  This is Saint Severin, the church I looked out on every morning. And Hotel de Ville, the town hall, which I commonly passed on my late Saturday trip home from work. During my last week, I met up for wonderful crepes at Breizh (which is a reference to the french region of Bretagne) Cafe with Leonie and Inga, to say goodbye to Leonie before she returned back to the Netherlands. Started with a banging crepe with 4 different types of tomatoes, chorizo, egg and cheese. Finished with a crepe of woodland strawberries, red fruit caramel, ice cream and whipped cream. Last weekend, Phillipe and I moved all of his things and most of mine 8 hours down the road to Montpellier. We stopped in Saint Flour, this beautiful, historic town on our way down.When we got back on the road, Phillipe told me we’d be passing two Viaducts, including one designed by Eiffel. Then he stopped here for me to take a picture… It’s pretty but I was super disappointed..
Until we actually got to the viaduct. 🙂 Beautiful with a definite aspect of Eiffel. The second viaduct we stopped at was Milau  Eventually we made it to Montpellier and after settling in, we headed to the beach. The water was quiet cold but with the hot weather, it was refreshing (eventually) We ate dinner along one of the waterways We both had mussels. Phillipe went classic with a meuniere topping. Poor choice. I had mine covered in Roquefort (local blue cheese) and it was amazzzzzing. Yum, I’m salivating remembering it.
Biggest seagull I’ve ever seen, waiting for a bite. Coffee and dessert 🙂 Unfortunately I needed to head back to Paris for my last few days of work, but fortunately my chef and sous chef made it fun. On my last night, they told me they wanted to have a truly American meal for staff dinner, so I made buffalo chicken dip, shrimp and grits, and funfetti cake 🙂 Good bye le 6! You’ve been quite the experience. My last day in Paris was full of eclairs 🙂  Goodbye Notre Dame. You were a good neighbor. My last night, Inga and I ordered in sushi so I could clean my apartment just a little bit more before I left, and then headed to Montparnasse tower so we could go to the top and I could watch the Iron Lady sparkle one more time. I walked home and said goodnight to Saint Severin, my neighborhood, one more time. Good bye 27! You were a good little flat.

A few more photos from Bruges

We stayed on a boat when we were in Bruges, and I enjoyed this little spot outside our window. On the boat cruiseEyes closed, but looking out over the main square of Bruges.

Commence pas.

Quick update! Hah, just kidding. 78 pictures.

Met up with Inga and Ouri for some Margs on Quatro de Mayo.

This handsome guy was sitting next to me.

That week Inga and I went to visit Ouri at Bones, where he was doing his stage. Later that week Paolo was in Paris to visit, so Inga and I met up with him for brunch at Lockwood. I had this amazing Avocado Toast Inga had this overwhelming bowl of yogurt and granola with fruit. Paolo and I also went to lunch at my restaurant so you can finally see some pictures from where I work! One of my favorite views in when these tents pop up near my apartment. I love a good open air market.

One weekend I went up to Les Puces (Huge flea market) and ended up wandering around Montmartre, including a quick pic at Moulin Rouge. Phillipe and I went out of the city for dinner that night and had mussels along the river. 🙂 One Sunday the staff from my restaurant met up for lunch at Saturne, but on my way I saw them taking the locks off of Pont des Arts, the ‘love lock’ bridge. Lunch was super fun especially because it’s always fun to watch Max and Solenne pick a wine. And then enjoy it. One morning I noticed that the street outside my window was oddly quiet (it’s a loud street). Turns out they closed the street FOR HOURS for the presidential motorcade.

By  the way, there is a major lack of air conditioning in the entire nation of France, and when you work in a very hot kitchen, it leads to this.Last weekend Phillipe and I visited Lille, Ghent and Bruges, but on the way I saw this sign  and had wonderful flashbacks to High School.
We spent maybe 15 minutes in Lille, just long enough to see the city center and take a few pics.  We spent the night in Ghent, which was my favorite. It’s so Belgian. The buildings are all in Flemish style and sitting along the river was glorious. I love this art installation. It’s connected to the maternity ward at the local hospital, and every time a child is born the light slowly flashes.  This is the castle of the counts built in 1180 While in Belgium I of course had to enjoy some fries (let down) and beer (excellent) The next day we went to Bruges which is another gorgeous historical party.
Phillipe told me that neuhaus is better than Godiva so he had to prove it. Chocolate ganache, speculoos, and almond praline. My favorite part of Bruges was the boat tour we took around the city.
There is a dog in the window. Living the life. This is the hotel Colin Farrel jumps out of in In Bruges. Perfect sunny day, so we sat in the park and had some beers and cookies 🙂  We had a wonderful dinner at Burg 9, which was very good.

Higgledy Piggledy

So much has happened since I started my internship! Sorry I haven’t been posting, it’s a busy life. And just an update, my internship contract ends on Monday, but I’m extending it for another 3 months! So I’ll be in Paris until my visa ends in August.

Way back, Natalie came to visit from Annecy and brought me wonderful goodies.
I spent a Sunday afternoon wandering around Pere-Lachaise Cemetery. Oscar Wilde’s grave. They had to surround it in glass so that people would stop ruining it with kisses. So they kiss the glass instead.  Edith Piaf’s grave. Gertrude SteinOne weekend Inga and I went out to Brunch at her sister restaurant, where she’s now transferred to! It’s owned by Americans so it was a nice taste of home mixed with France.
Sweet rolls with marmalade and a bloody mary 🙂
Poached eggs with English muffins Roasted Brussels Sprouts with some awesome nuts and cheese. Amazing Nachos with pulled chicken. This was right after St. Patrick’s, so I was thrilled to get some corned beef (with quail eggs!)

The next weekend Phillipe and I went to Dijon for the weekend. Such a beautiful and historic city This is the view from atop the Phillip the Good Tower in the city center. Inside the Museum des Beaux-Arts are the coffins for two of the Dukes of Bourgogne. It’s housed in the former palace of the Dukes. This gorgeous polyptych is covered in gold, and there’s another facing it.  View of the coffins from above, of Phillip the Hardy and Jean Sans Peur. In this palace were born; Jean Sans Peur, Philippe le Bon, Charles le Téméraire. Notre Dame of Dijon The town market, which was built by Gustave Eiffel I spent an afternoon wandering around and explored some churches, including this Crypt in the Saint Benigne church. The original coffin of Saint Benigne.Easter weekend, Ashton and Blake were visiting Cagliari, so I went to visit them!
Ashton’s wonderful friend Dr. Paolo had us into his home for an amazing Easter lunch.  After brunch we went to the park across the street where there were lots of birds, including Peacocks. Technically the Bastion was closed for construction but… we slipped in 🙂 The next day Ashton’s friend Denzel grilled out for us and we had yet another incredible meal.
And after lunch we found another park to wander around 🙂

On our last night we met up with Dr. Paolo and his girlfriend near the Bastion and enjoyed one last sunset over the mediterranean.  What cuties
For dinner we had to go with Pizza, I mean, it’s Italy. I got a white pizza with a mushroom/truffle sauce. To die for. But all good vacations must come to an end…

Inga and I chose a wonderful Sunday afternoon to catch up and sit in the sun at Jardin du Luxembourg, right near my apartment. The next night we visited the restaurant Neva, where our friend Leonie is doing her stage.  Some of my favorite moments in Paris are walking home at night. Being at Notre Dame by yourself is quite an amazing experience. Recently we managed to get most of our classmates together for a beer on a Sunny sunday on Canal Saint Martin before an excellent Chinese dinner near Opera. The next day, Inga and I met up for brunch at Holybelly! Great iced chai. I had pancakes with fried eggs and bacon (and whiskey butter, yum) This past weekend Phillipe and I headed back to Dijon and had a rainbow/double rainbow leading us for a good hour or two. That yellow is mustard! It’s everywhere in Burgundy.This is a view of the Phillipe le bon Tower from the ground We went to Beaune and visited the hospices where nuns took care of the sick starting in the 14th century. 

I couldn’t if I wanted to

Our last day we visited Antoine Arena’s family cellar of wines. He was very excited that I was doing my stage where I was, because he’s friends with the chef. We also had an early morning visit to a veal farm. Very cool when you don’t think about where they’re going… After that we went and visited an olive farm where they make lots of olive oil. Again, not the season for it, but we still got to taste the olives, the oil, and see the machinery.

You’re my Girl Friday… Of My Life

The second morning we went to a brewery in Bastia, which distributes all over France We also visited a local charcuterie and got to see their aging rooms. Unfortunately they were already finished crafting for the day, but it was still awesome to see the second part of the process. Then we went across the street and visited these pigs. This is where the charcuterie comes from… awkward. But talk about being able to trace your product… The charcuterie company also had a restaurant which is where we ate afterwards. That night we had an amazing experience where people cooked for us at the local event space. It was very special as we really got to taste the local cuisine and culture. I find dogs. Everywhere. This was my buddy for the night. We sat by the fire and cuddled for quite awhile.

Oink Oink my Brothers

Our first night in Corsica we went to a restaurant in an old home that was also a winery.

I Don’t Remember the Alamo

Our final exam was to do a lemon tart and choux pastry, and it went very well. We took one last picture together with Chef Antoine We had a last mystery box as well, with chicken. I was missing home, so I made Chicken Pot Pie.  Unlike most of us, Fai was relaxed enough to crack a smile during our exam planning period. Me with our pastry chef, Antoine, and our regular chef, Sebastien. After the last exam period on Friday, we all met up at the wine bar across the street to decompress.

Hey, hey, your towel’s on fire.

Our 2nd to last week of classes, we practiced choux pastry, which I love.
Also, elephants. I love elephants. We did a bit of plating to practice. We also made another Entremets with craquant and pistachio and coffee and chocolate and yummy Quick change of pace.. it was also restaurant week, and we were cleaning quails, and I would say at least half of them had eggs inside. I know it’s gross, but it’s also SO cool. Sorry. We fried up a couple of the fully formed ones and snacked on them. Holly and I were on Amuse Bouche, which turned out very pretty!  Our Chefs are totally adorbs. Watching the clients coming into the restaurant. There were left over chicken wings from stock, so I fried up some, and made some ranch and ugh I miss chicken wings. The next day we had a special restaurant called Dîner des Chefs, where we cooked with two Michelin star chefs for the restaurant.  My partner Holly. These creepy crawly crabs kept escaping from the box

This was our Amuse Bouche. Crab on Crab on Crab. Sooo amazing.Some of my Ferrandi family

The next day we had a caviar tasting. I don’t know that I had ever had caviar before, but I was a fan of the ones that weren’t terribly fishy.  That afternoon we had our last test on steak cooking. Love me some beef. I went to visit the restaurant where I’m doing my stage (internship) that weekend, and it was as amazing as I remembered.

Roma