I've been overwhelmed by life lately. I've allowed my personal drama to derail my focus. The dream, however, is never completely out of mind. I find myself day dreaming while I drive in traffic. On occasion I have even missed my exit while coloring in details of "The Dream".
I dream about opening my own cooking school in Texas...or even better, in the french countryside.
I dream about writing the cookbook that touches a broad audience.
I dream about building my dream kitchen with all the bells and whistles.
I dream about shooting a global food show with beautiful vistas and the wonder of new produce.
I dream about attending and presenting at food festivals.
I dream about discovering all the amazing restaurants right here in Houston.
I dream. I dream. I dream. I dream. I dream. I dream. I dream.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Culinary Travel
For as long as I can remember, the moment I discovered my family was French, I wanted to visit and dine my way through France. Every time a milestone birthday loomed on the horizon I promised myself that this would be the year that I made it to Paris, with or without a lover to smooch along the way. 25 sailed by and so did 30 and 35. Now that my 40th birthday is exactly 938 days away, I am plotting my way across the sea.
In 2007 I set out to make my long-time dream of attending and completing Pastry School come true. In 2009 that dream became reality with highest honors. With degree in hand, I set out to find a job that combined all of my talents, passions and experience.
That same year I discovered my purpose in life, teaching. In the many varieties of jobs that I held, I was always placed in a trainer position. I trained people on registers, how to use computer software, how to make coffee drinks, how to apply makeup and even how to decorate cakes. My best friend (a Master Teacher) told me once, "You are what we call an intuitive teacher." In October of 2009 I landed what I thought was perhaps the best job I've ever had. Young Chefs Academy hired me as their Lead Teacher and Sales Manager. I spent the next year honing the crafts of both teaching and cooking. I learned so much about myself and was hungry for more.
When that door closed, I was forced to evaluate my job options. The same things kept coming up...food writing, culinary instruction, television and travel. How could I combine them all? How could I finally make my dream of having an intimate knowledge of my country of origin? How could I get paid to write about food again (I was a contributing writer for Culinary Thymes magazine from 2002-2004)? How can I turn traveling to Europe into a paying gig? How can I get my mug on TV sharing my passion for food and travel?
I am abundantly grateful that I landed not one, but two Cooking Instructor jobs this year. One with Well Done Cooking Classes and the other with the famed Sur la Table. While teaching others about my passion for cooking fulfills me, I continue to dream of Paris and the country side of France. My sister and her husband just launched a new television series on A&E (Heavy). Once again, my dreams of a television show of my own flood my imagination. I continue to search my muse for a topic to write about in a cookbook. There must, there must, there absolutely must be a way to incorporate all these dreams into a career.
Of late I have been researching the idea of one of two things. One, trying to get hired to be a tour guide on culinary vacations to Europe. Two, going to school to learn the travel business myself and opening a business that combines both local casual cooking classes and food related travel.
I know that I have the power to watch my dreams become reality. I will live the dream!
In 2007 I set out to make my long-time dream of attending and completing Pastry School come true. In 2009 that dream became reality with highest honors. With degree in hand, I set out to find a job that combined all of my talents, passions and experience.
That same year I discovered my purpose in life, teaching. In the many varieties of jobs that I held, I was always placed in a trainer position. I trained people on registers, how to use computer software, how to make coffee drinks, how to apply makeup and even how to decorate cakes. My best friend (a Master Teacher) told me once, "You are what we call an intuitive teacher." In October of 2009 I landed what I thought was perhaps the best job I've ever had. Young Chefs Academy hired me as their Lead Teacher and Sales Manager. I spent the next year honing the crafts of both teaching and cooking. I learned so much about myself and was hungry for more.
When that door closed, I was forced to evaluate my job options. The same things kept coming up...food writing, culinary instruction, television and travel. How could I combine them all? How could I finally make my dream of having an intimate knowledge of my country of origin? How could I get paid to write about food again (I was a contributing writer for Culinary Thymes magazine from 2002-2004)? How can I turn traveling to Europe into a paying gig? How can I get my mug on TV sharing my passion for food and travel?
I am abundantly grateful that I landed not one, but two Cooking Instructor jobs this year. One with Well Done Cooking Classes and the other with the famed Sur la Table. While teaching others about my passion for cooking fulfills me, I continue to dream of Paris and the country side of France. My sister and her husband just launched a new television series on A&E (Heavy). Once again, my dreams of a television show of my own flood my imagination. I continue to search my muse for a topic to write about in a cookbook. There must, there must, there absolutely must be a way to incorporate all these dreams into a career.
Of late I have been researching the idea of one of two things. One, trying to get hired to be a tour guide on culinary vacations to Europe. Two, going to school to learn the travel business myself and opening a business that combines both local casual cooking classes and food related travel.
I know that I have the power to watch my dreams become reality. I will live the dream!
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