Term 4 is already almost over!

I know I promised pictures of my wedding cake and they still haven't come up, but I just downloaded them this morning!  I just have to crop them to size and they will be up soon!  Things have been pretty hectic since the wedding cake and candy platters.  We started Term 4 and have been going, going, going.  I have been going into the restaurant to help out at lunch this term again, which I enjoy doing.  I never really thought I'd enjoy waiting tables, but at the school restaurant it isn't so bad.  At the start of the term we got the info on our next big project, which was to design our own dessert menu, order all the ingredients, cost it all out, and present it all plated to Chef.  Along with all of that, one of the desserts has to be enough for 16 people so that it can be served in the restaurant to customers.  This - for me - was a pretty stressful project.  At the same time as doing all of this, we were practicing other plated desserts (we made a poached pear, ice cream, sorbets, souffles, fruit mousse) and I was also taking an extra class with the culinary students to get my Serve Safe certification, which is a nationwide food handlers card.  That meant I was going into school early, early and staying through the culinary class, through lunch, and then through my class, plus staying late and going in every weekend to prep for my desserts!  Whew!  It was super busy but a really good time once it was over and I can look back on it.  

My desserts went well, and I will write more on that as I put up the pictures.  Now that the desserts are over, while I still have a big project to finish for the end of school, it does not seem nearly as daunting as the last.  Our final project is to make three showpieces, one out of pastillage, one out of chocolate, and one out of sugar.  One of the three pieces has to be part of our buffet platter, which will have 3 pastry items, 3 petit four items, and 3 candy items - with 3 of each of the 3 in each category.  There will be 27 desserts total as a minimum for the buffet project plus one showpiece, so I am working on that now.  I just poured my chocolate piece last night, but I need to go back and smooth out the back of it today.  I am hoping to start on my pastillage piece today and get it finished drying this weekend to put it all together on Monday and then spend next week on my sugar piece and the buffet items.  

I did make some yummy thai tea ice cream base last night and will hopefully make a tamarind ribbon for it tonight so I can churn the ice cream.  I need to make my mashed potato ice cream this weekend as well too!

AND I ONLY HAVE A WEEK LEFT IN SCHOOL!!!  

It has gone by so fast that I just can't believe that I am almost done!  I am super excited to start my new job, but bummed to be leaving Portland.  I really like the area and have made some good friends, so I know I'll definitely be back to visit!  I am heading home on April 13th and start my job at the ranch April 16th, so it will be time to pack again before I know it!  Too soon!  :)