Friday, December 23, 2011

Wait! Where did the day just go??!!


One thing I have noticed over the years – bakers like to think of we can do it all! You need this? No problem!! How many people? Sure! I can get that done tomorrow! : )
We have an underdeveloped ability to turn down any task at hand. Of course, it doesn’t always help that sometimes there is not a total understanding on the other end of things of exactly how much time and effort goes into even the smallest of tasks in baking.

Being the only baker in my kitchen crew can create some lengthy and sometimes interesting conversations of explaining why the day has ran so long or why something costs so much. But when I just spent a good 12 hours of decorating gingerbread men and shortbread cookies, I’m sorry, but I don’t feel like simply giving them away. And neither do my cramped up hands and back for that matter.

But all in all – I wouldn’t change a thing! Sure, I put in some incredibly long days. But look at what I have been given the chance to do! I get to play with dough and frosting (some days)! Although the novelty of it wears off, I have to say, probably after the fourth sheet pan or so.
Any way! Merry Christmas Everyone!!! Have a great holiday with friends and family! And remember, as always, to show extra grace and kindness to the hospitality field this time of year ;-)

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Introductions!


Hello!
Allow me to introduce myself – name’s Melissa. I am a baker.
I guess you could say that it was almost a guarantee that I would be involved to some extent with food, but I ultimately chose to focus on the vast world of baking.
I grew up in southern Oregon. I learned early on to not only appreciate the techniques found in cooking and baking, but also the connection of using local and fresh ingredients. After graduating from high school, my path took me to Napa Valley to start schooling and New York to finish it.
The road continued to a resort north of Lake Tahoe, a stop back in southern Oregon, and finally, Portland where I have been for the past 6 years. One thing that life has taught me over this past ten years of adventure is to not regret any where that life takes you. Each stop along the way had some aspect of either my career that I needed to perfect or personally something that I had to stop and focus on.
It has been a non-stop run and doesn’t look like it will be slowing down any time soon, so I thought this would be the perfect time for me to start this blog to use as an outlet and even simply give everyone a glimpse into the life of a Portland baker.
I thrive on interactivity though, so I would also hope that this blog would be not only used by me, but ultimately by my readers to post their questions or requests on this page. I want to be able to share what I have learned with everyone. I don’t claim to know or have all the answers when it comes to baking, but I will always be honest in answering and I am always looking for the next great challenge to take on! For me, the world of baking is simply not a profession, but a lifestyle!