Here we go!!!

I'm not a writer. I'm not a professional chef. I am just a woman on her path to self discovery.

We all have dreams.

 I love to cook and until recently my love for cooking was confined to cooking for my family and friends, with no direction. Sure I got compliments like, "You should be a caterer" and "You should open a restaurant", but reality was I didn't have time or money for culinary school or to start a restaurant.

 I decided I was going to try out for Masterchef in Boston. I mean, why not? I've been talking a pretty good game for years, I know how to put a great meal on the table, or bake an amazing dessert. I know alot of facts about techniques and ingredients.  Why not? Could I have what it takes? I finally thought, maybe. Maybe this is MY chance.

So I prepared,and I thought of a classic and impressive, melt in your mouth dish. Veal Osso Buco.  I labored for days on the recipe.  I keep telling myself, "you can do this", "You underestimate your knowledge", " You are a great cook". I internally quizzed myself . "What is Vichysoisse?" " How do you cook risotto?" "What would you do if you had to cook a chicken dish?"

 I get to the audition, I wait 2 hours, I listen to one of the security men saying "Its not about the food, remember it is a casting crew in there".  I get in the room. I have 3 minutes to get my dish plated. I was shaking like a leaf, but I pulled it off! It looked just like the photo I had presented with my 12 page application. 

One of the crew members briefly asks me some questions. No biggie, just try the food. She moves on to the next guy. I liked him, he was nice. We tried to make small talk and drown out the obnoxious lady to my left that kept bragging about herself, and her food. I just wanted to tell her to shut up. 

I see another girl coming down the line, she is poking at peoples food.  The Lion King pops into my head. I hear Rafiki say, "It is time."  She is at the snobby lady's table, she doesn't try it. Ok. She stops at my table, and asks me what I made. I reply. I apologize for the dry risotto, I made it a 2:00 and it is now pressing 6:00.  She says it looks great.  Yesssssss! She pokes at it. Take a bite.  She asks my where I got my veal. ????? She moves on to the next guy. 

I didn't get asked to stay and chat, or take the test.  I might get a call back in 1 to 3 days.

 This is it?

I thought, why stop here. Why not learn all the things I don't know. Why not try to write about food? Why not appeal to the masses of people just like me? People who might have fussy eaters at home, or don't have the money to pursue their culinary dreams. People who want to expand their knowledge in the kitchen, just because they love to learn about food.

That is what I have decided to do. I am going to learn how to do the things that "chefs" learn in culinary school, even if it is the mundaness of learning to properly coddle an egg.  I am going to experience cultures from around the globe without leaving my kitchen. I am going to write my own recipes.

I am inviting you to join me.  Lets grow together.