The International Culinary Center, NYC

Let's talk about my fun-filled, food-centered weekend!

I went to NYC for a Macaroons and Madelines class in the International Culinary Center (ICC) or previously also known as the French Culinary Institute. It was so much fun, so worth the time and money. Plus, I get a free ICC apron and skull cap!

The first time I've ever heard of the word macarons was in the freshmen "Cookies & Petit Fours" class, 2009. I had a stupid moment in that class. I had no idea what macarons were, never had them and never seen them before. I didn't know how it was possible, but I ended up making them for my practical exam anyway.

I've come a long way since then. Trust me, I did some research and made them at home.

These are some that I've made earlier this year.

Most times they come out perfect, but that was not always the case. So I thought maybe a Macarons and Madelines class would be a nice refresher and it won't hurt taking a peek of what ICC looks like.

It was a 4 hour long class. The chef was nice and patient. He answered a lot of my "Mr. How and his 5 wives" questions. Which starts with how, when, what, where, why, and who. Did you get that? Isn't it cute? haha...

This was the other Chef who helped us mise en place everything. Please disregard the guy at the back, I just had to stick that face on him. It's just too funny not to.

So anyway, I finally got my answers, tips, and techniques which made me a happy girl that night.

My partner was a nice Australian lady who picked a strange looking green food coloring for our macarons (so that we will know which was ours). She was suffering from arthritis and her wrist hurts when she piped, so I happily piped away.

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked.

If Peter Piper picked a pack of pickled peppers, 

Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?

Sorry, I needed to get that out of my head. Anyway, this was how they looked like.

Not that bad actually. It still looks cute with some coffee butter cream filing.

But I always prefer to eat my macarons a day old, so it's delicate, soft, and not too chewy.

Cookies Disguised As Cupcakes

Aren't they cute?

They were my Social Media Presentation giveaways. Me and my team-mates gave a presentation regarding my personal brand and the strategies for application.

It's my favorite class among all of my graduate school courses.

First, being that Professor Sisco was super awesome to let me work on my personal brand as my term project. (P.S. That's how this blog began!)

Second, I switched my major just to be able to take this course and it was worth it. Even though most of the material was pretty much common sense, I got to see how it works first-hand, because I got to apply it on myself! *evil grin*

This course unveiled the curtains and took me behind the scenes of how businesses work with Social Media.

It's like I was given goggles to look underneath the water surface at a swan swimming. You'll never know how much effort a swan needs to paddle under water to look like it's floating gracefully until you've put your head under and taken a peak.

I gave away 37 cookies in total, and I must say that I had fun making them as well.

Such a perfect way to end my academic career and a sweet way to say goodbye to classmates that I don't know when I'll meet again.

 But at least, we'll keep in touch through Social Media!

Pottery Painting: Bringing back memories

Have you ever glazed or  "painted" a plate, bowl, or mug?

Actually, I have. I can't remember how old I was (probably 11, or 12, or 13) but I still remember it was in a department store's kitchen and home department in Jakarta, Indonesia.

According to my baby sister, we both painted plates. Her's was purple and mine was orange.

One day, I got bored and Googled "Things to do in the Summer in New England" and Weird Girl Creations popped up on the list.

It's a very nice little hide out in Barrington, RI, not too far from the city.

They had a lot of different potteries available from cute mini owl salt & pepper shakes to popcorn holders to Hello Kitty coin banks to cupcakes cookie jars!

I settled to paint a dinner mug and Sunny painted a Solo cup.

We also painted an owlie mug for Jackie with hopes that she'll drink more hot tea or Milo during the chilly nights in Davis, CA.

After about a week or two, here's how they turned out.

Pretty cool, don't you think?

Oreos should always be chocolate.

I think Oreos should always be chocolate. I've had a fair share of their berries and cream, mint oreos, and peanut butter oreos - And I'd still prefer the original flavor. 

Have you seen those blondie oreos? I'd rather have a Nilla wafer cookie anytime, anyday!

A while back, Sunny and I were invited to a mini office family fun cook out! 

We headed over to Alison's home up in Massachusetts, and had a nice Saturday gathering with all the kids and babies. 

So, I made it a point to make a simple old fashioned chocolate cake with cookies and cream frosting.

Kids love chocolate, right? always, without fail.

It was also Heather's last day with us. She's such a sweet person to work with - and I wish her all the best for her future endeavors in California!

I bought some pocky a while back and decided to put it on the cake too.

And the end result was a 3 layered chocolate cake with chocolate ganache filling and cookies and cream butter-cream!

Look who came and join us on the table? It's Woody and Spongebob!

            Photo credit: Sunny Tin Chau

Say hi to Sofia, Alison's baby girl. She's in the cutest swimsuit ever!

Doesn't it remind you of a ballerina's tutu?

                                                                                  Photo credit: Sunny Tin Chau

Cake anyone?

Photo credit: Sunny Tin Chau