From Biology to Baking
Introduction:
I love being in the kitchen. Cooking, baking, talking, drinking.
My current job is as a collections assistant at a natural history museum. It is a great job that has taken me to the other side of the world and made me some awesome friends, but it’s not my real passion. I can’t get cooking out of my head. I think about food all day and plan my free time around baking something and making a delicious dinner.
I realized a while ago that continuing my education in biology would be futile because I would always wonder if I could have been successful with a job in the food world. So I decided to go for it. I starting looking around at culinary schools and thought it would be best to go to the DC area because I know someone who is planning on opening a bakery there. I have a plan, and I’m going to make it happen.
Objectives:
– Attend the Art Institute of Washington to get a degree in Culinary Arts with a focus in Baking and Pastry.
– Write a blog chronicling my experience and one day write my own cookbook.
Materials and Methods:
– Butter
– Sugar
– Hungry Friends
– Money I don’t have
– Energy
– Drive
– Passion
– Whiskey
To make this delicious dream come true I am going to pack it up with my handsome boyfriend and our bat-shit crazy dog to go to a bigger city to learn a whole new trade. There will be lots of techniques to master and ingredients to taste. I will whisk, knead, and chop my way through two years of classes. I will take my first business class and learn about the chemistry of food. I will probably gain five (no, lets be honest…10) pounds. I will bake. I will undoubtedly burn myself.
Conclusion:
I am totally pumped about this new life and know that it is the right one for me. I dream about how fun my culinary classes will be and can’t wait to get started. I will get to read cookbooks for homework! So awesome. Keep checking in here for recipes and updates on my journey.
Beautiful photos! Even your personal photo looks like it belongs on the back of the cookbook. I’ll be a regular reader. I LOVE getting vicarious thrills from other people’s cooking!!
I had fun in my French cooking class. The Chef actually made his own puff pastry……talk about labor intensive….it was damn good though.
Are you taking volunteers for the necessary “hungry friends?” Do they have to be actually hungry or is “generally gluttonous” a fair substitution? In either case I’m totally there for you.
I did not know any of this. I am so jealous and happy for you. SO awesome, I too have a passion for food and hope to be following in your footsteps in a year or so. Have fun and learn lots! Best of luck! You rock!
Beautiful! I found you because our fig tart posts linked to one another. Your blog is really lovely. Good luck with everything.
Sarah thank you for sharing your love of food and all things related with me and the other culinary crazies. Your blog is exciting and fun to read. I have been under the weather and needed a boost. Reading your blog reminded me of why I signed up for this great endeavor to chart a new course in my life. The photo of you in your conclusion is just great !! I mean it could’ve been taken from a scene in Thelma and Louise. The windowless window with the beer hanging on for dear life. Thanx, Sarah.
Congrats on living your dream. I hope it’s turning out to be everything you expected — and more. I love your recipes. I’ll try them myself; but more importantly, I’ll pass your blog on to my own 20 yr old daughter who’s just now dreaming of a culinary career. Thanks for the extra poundage!!
Your Mom came in our Bakery yesterday and bought a few goodies. She told us about your adventure and left us your website address. Your work looks great!!! And it sounds like you have a true passion for what you are doing. I salute you! If you are ever at Holden Beach, come by and visit us at Salt Aire Bakery. (We are across the street from Food Lion at Holden Beach.)
How awesome that you’re following your true passion! And it’s of course also great that you’re sharing that journey on this blog. I agree with that first comment (Susan’s)–that picture of you totally looks like it belongs on the back of a coobook.
Sarah Mac! How wonderful to have this update on you and your plans! I congratulate you on following your dream and I have total confidence you will succeed. Please stay in touch. I’ll be reading the blog… Anne
I can’t wait to try some of these recipes! So glad you found something to make you as happy as you are in your photo!!
Bon Apetite!
Karen
Bobby D’s Mom
Great Blog! You are very talented. It was so great to meet you on Friday in your food styling class. I will email you pictures very soon
Your Dad sent me your link and I am delighted to read your blog. Your baking looks fabulous and makes me very hungry. Wish you were baking in Cedar Key! …. my oatmeal just isn’t doing it for me after seeing your photos. Susan Hudgens