The End.

I can now, officially say I'm a pastry chef!!

My final showpiece. Grand Marnier Bon-bons, vanilla crescent cookies, and dark chocolate brandy cake. It's funny how much work goes into something that looks so simple! The last day was not bad, I got everything done I wanted to, with time to spare. Though, not without anxiety. Even though I was right on schedule the tension in the room was so thick, it was hard not to feel pressured! After we finished everything, we placed our showpiece in the judging room, displaying our pastries and left for the guest judges to grade us! And then the waiting began. We had all heard that the judges are impossible, so going into it, we were ready to hear all about how awful our products were. Especially since most of the judges are well known names in the industry (such as the executive chef from Gramercy Tavern, or Quattro Trump Towers-my judge). So I felt extremely relieved I felt when he was perfectly nice! And actually complimentary! Apparently everything I made he loved/was impressed by! He even asked me what I did in a few cases, wanting to know how I got specific textures. Quite the compliment. Ending with an invitation to come trail at his restaurant! Yep. A potential job offer. I didn't expect that!! Of course, I'm moving bak to LA, but I can contact him should I move back to NYC (here's to networking!). Although I felt more physically exhausted than I have in a long time, it was a great feeling being done! And tomorrow is graduation (though, its a very short, generally unexciting ceremony), and my Dad is coming!!! I absolutely can't wait! Now, onto sleep and NOT getting up at 6am.