Ballymaloe Cookery School Chefs

Week eleven partner Nancy
Week eight partner Mags
Week nine partner (and cottage mate) Mary
Week ten partner Mary Claire (left) and her cousin Lyndi (who is also taking the cookery course)

A Lesson in Helpfulness

Sharon not only runs the school office, but does this while assisting every single person with all sorts of various requests. And she always does so with graciousness. I don't know what I would have done without her and I'm not the only one who feels this way. She even tended to the little chicks while they were hatching in the incubator in her office. She definetly gets the award for the most helpful!

Our Mugs

Each of us in the Playroom has a personalized Stephen Pearce Pottery mug. It was my thank you to them for nursing me back to health (see "The Joy of Sickness" posting for explanation).

Eleven Weeks Down and One to Go

Eleven weeks down and one to go! This was a funny week. Because Monday was a holiday, the rest of the week seemed one day off. Maybe it was the void of the kids leaving or the reality that the course is ending and I will be leaving this beautiful place. Then again the stress and pressure of finals has everyone’s nerves a bit on edge. In any case, Wednesday morning was the first of several final exams. There are three more next week plus a practical exam where we have to cook a three course meal and a freshly baked bread in three hours. The final product, presented beautifully of course, will be tasted and scored by three judges. So needless to say the chefs around here are feeling the heat. The highlight of this week was having my cousin Beatty and her friend Judy down from Tuam, County Galway for a visit. They came for lunch at school and stayed for an afternoon demonstration given by Rory. He made over a dozen different Canapés. My cousin was so excited to be at Ballymaloe. She leaned over at one point and told me she had always wanted to come but never thought it would happen. I ‘m glad I was able to share the experience with her. I treated Beatty and Judy to dinner that evening and we reminisced about their trip to Los Angeles back in 1999. Wow where do the years go? This week we made pork en croute (a delicious marinated stuffed pork tenderloin wrapped in puff pastry…like a beef Wellington), various flavors of homemade ice cream, gruyere and thyme stuffed chicken, poached Raywing, a selection of different red and green curry beef, lamb and chicken dishes, loads of assorted smoked salmon appetizers and chocolate and praline cakes. I also baked my first loaf of granary bread. I was most proud of my first baklava. It was actually served for the Wednesday morning school coffee break. Today I came to one of my favorite spots in Midelton, the Internet café, so I could post some of the last blog photos. I also went to the Farmer’s Market and the butcher to get the ingredients I needed to practice cooking my final exam menu. It was a bit of a school reunion as I saw loads of other students there. It is a beautiful sunny day and I feel thankful to God to be alive!

Quincy Getting a Chance to Pour the Perfect Pint

On a Scale of One to Ten, Week Ten Was a 10!

With the kids in Ireland visiting me, this week earned a top score of ten. It was fun to show them around the school and introduce them to the people with whom I’ve been spending the last couple of months. On Sunday we visited the Stephen Pearce Pottery, which is down the road from the school. My friend Gillian was with us, and being a fellow blogger, has posted her pottery adventure (gr2br@blogspot.com). Then we ventured into Cork City. It was pouring rain but we managed to stay dry by ducking into pubs and restaurants along the way. Tuesday night was the big dance party the teachers hosted for the students at the Blackbird Pub. What a blast! Heather and Quincy danced more than I did. During the week the kids poked around local sightseeing during the day while I was in school. They visited the Jameson Whiskey Factory and played pitch and putt in the seaside village of Youghl. Quincy played 18 holes at the Fota Course. In the evenings we dined at some of the best restaurants around. Thursday night, however, I prepared a birthday dinner for Fred who turned 25. I served a typical Irish meal of pea soup and Shepherd’s Pie with salad. I also baked a birthday cake. All of my cottage mates celebrated with us. We finished a great evening playing board games. Friday we drove to Dublin and had a nice dinner and explored the Grafton Street area. Saturday Heather and Fred flew back to the States and Quincy and I went to the Guinness Factory. The city was crawling with St. Patty’s Day revelers. It is the one National Holiday that the entire world celebrates. Today we drove north for an excursion and I almost didn’t make it. We stopped for gas at a Shell station and I decided to use the bathroom. Unfortunately I got locked in. Terror set in and I began screaming HELP! Apparently Quincy thought I was still in the Shell Shop and wasn’t aware I was shell shocked. He had purchased some snacks and was in the car comfortably eating and reading a book. Luckily adrenaline kicked in and I was able to pry open the bottom of door just enough to stick my hand out. So I continued screaming and waving my right hand while pulling the bottom of the door with the left hand. A guardian angel arrived looking like a ten year old red headed boy. It was difficult to communicate through the small opening I had created in the door, but he knew I needed his help. He proceeded to kick in the door (I had taken my hand out at this point). It took a few tries, but he did it. By the time I was freed I was obviously shaken and when I walked back to the car Quincy was wondering what had happened. It took me a while but I rallied and we visited the historic Newgrange Site in County Meath. Tomorrow is a bank holiday so I don’t have school. After Quincy flies off to the States I’ll make my way down to Shanagarry for the last couple of weeks of this wonderful adventure. One thing is for sure, I’ll never forget this week!

Good Times at the Blackbird

Heather and Me
With Fred, Quincy and Yoko (FYI I had no acoholic beverages the entire night as I was the designated driver)
Quincy and Heather having a blast