Practical Success!

Well, I officially finished my first term of culinary school today. Five classes down, 10 to go (and an internship). I'm feeling pretty good so far! There was only one class that I really thought would be the end of me.

Today's practical was a success. I was the first person done today and was really happy with my products. We had to finish two plated desserts, but they had a bunch of components.

My first plate was an apple raisin crisp with French Vanilla ice cream and sacristans (yes... that's right. Puff Pastry. I showed it who was boss!). This one was super easy.

The second dessert -- not so easy, especially since we hadn't made it before. It was parfait glace (essentially a frozen mousse), with coconut sorbet on the side. The trick was getting the parfait to stand free form -- mine slumped over like the leaning tower of pisa after 15 minutes. Luckily, the time it had to stand was 8-10. Just made it!

Here's an alternate angle so that you can really see the height. The coconut sorbet tasted amazing. I ate both scoops and promptly had a belly ache.

So long, ice cream class! I'll miss you... but my blood sugar levels will not.