Asara Wine estate and 5* Hotel

I recently found my calling remember? On that note I decided to get cracking and go see where I could exactly place myself and be happy. Would it be back in the kitchen or just something to do with a kitchen but not in it full time? Would I work shitty shifts, would I put my foot down? I then applied for Asara, and got a call to go for an interview. Asara is in Stellenbosch, so I was scared about the 45-50min drive but I decided to embrace this and see what I could make of it.

I went with my dad as I was unaware of how to get there, and if you haven't noticed I am directionally challenged, which is a slight problem at the best of times. Anyways, we arrived at a boom to be met by security. We drove for about 1.5km until we got to reception, however you don't even notice the drive as the vineyards and ponds are too beautiful to try and describe. Eventually we got to the reception and I hopped out the car and went to an interview. To be completely honest I was not greeted by the friendliest person, but I am sure conducting interviews all day long is not your idea of fun.

I must be honest as we walked through the hotel to the boardroom where I would be questioned the hotel looked beautiful, a modern yet vintage feel. Eventually after the couple of stairs I had to take, I was out of breath and ready to sit down for my questions. I felt like I was in a police station being interrogated about a murder. There was no sugar coating which I appreciated, and I was to be told it would be a hardcore job and position and hours etc.

I then met with the GM, who I must say is a very well renowned chef himself, now running the hotel. He made me feel at ease and we had a laugh, at one point I was so comfortable I crossed my legs underneath me on the chair, only to remember that was not so professional. I left there confused, and had a paining head. After discussing the opportunity with my entire family, and friends I decided to screw everything and just take the next step toward securing the job.

I mean its a beautiful place, its not that far and they offered me the salary I had asked them for. I then had a trial day last Saturday to see how I was with the other staff and how they were with me. The Pastry chef was unbelievably friendly and made me feel so relaxed which was great. After about an hour of being there I started to notice the vibe in the kitchen. Its Stellenbosch so Afrikaans, which is no problem, just very quiet. It was almost like a concentration camp, nobody spoke, or laughed or seemed to be enjoying their tasks. I am the type of person who needs to speak, I need to have some sort of comfort where I am, and for me that was when I felt alone, and so far away from everything. I felt so vulnerable.

By 10am (I got there at 6) I was in tears and decided that working there was not for me, and its strange because its only me that I was unhappy with. The people there weren't unfriendly, or rude, or sarcastic. They were quiet, and they are entitle to be just that, but I promised myself I would never move somewhere that i am unhappy again. The money was so tempting but I know myself better than that. I would not drive almost 2 hours everyday, for a 10 hour shift and hate it.

I would highly recommend taking a drive out there, as it is absolutely breathtaking. They have a lovely selection of treats at the deli, and wonderful coffee. They also have appealing specials for rates, and 3 course meals.

I left and proceeded to walk almost 4km into Stellenbosch, where a car stopped to pick me up, my thumb was not sticking out for him? I got hooted at quiet a bit, and I am pretty sure I almost got hit by a car a few times. Eventually I was collected by my parents and all I wanted to do was hide in a ball on the back seat. I was so disappointed that what I had thought could have been my dream job, turned into no such luck.

I'm waiting to walk in somewhere and think, this is me, this is it, I am home. It may take a while but I wont stop until I get there. I am a baker, and maybe a bakery is where I belong. I know what its like to be taken advantage of, or hate what you do. 6 days a week, night shift for over a year almost made me go loony, that and all the flour. But at the end of the day I am an Artisan Specialist baker, and I am good at that and that is what I am going to do.

It may not be exactly the right salary yet, but I am surviving, I left the industry on my own terms, and now I need to deal with that.

Hold thumbs, and I look forward to making your favourite breads, croissants and pastries shortly.

Keep safe.

AbiD

xx


http://www.asara.co.za/
Stellenbosch 021 888 8000

Home made ...

Pan aux raisin at home...



Where I am meant to be...

My mission of ambition

Lately I have found myself in a place I never thought I would be, it was a place of light and reason and it hit me that I knew what it was that I was meant to be doing with my life. I was supossed to be in chefs whites with flour all over me, and a silly white hat on my head. I always thought I was not meant to be in a kitchen where I couldn't be seen, and I could have no fun working with people, until I became a receptionist and that's all I do is see people all day long, and I may not be such a people person.

I hate to say it but sometimes clients walk in, and for no reason they annoy me. It is such a bad flaw but I cannot help myself by getting annoyed by them, I also have to deal with rude people on the phone, which I don't have to do in the kitchen, and if I do they are waitress' or waiters who i am allowed to have authority over.

I need to get my head in the game and get back into that kitchen like its no-ones business, last night i put on my chefs uniform and I couldn't wipe the smile off my face, I felt like Toby Maguire in Spider man, like I could take on anything or anyone in my chefs uniform. This Saturday i have a big day coming up, I don't want to mention too much but all I can say is that its far out of my comfort zone. There is suddenly nothing I feel I cant do, I want to open up a bakery, i want to raise a family, I want to learn more about Pastry than I ever wanted to.

I have a new bounce in my step, and if Saturday pans out I will be a happy person again, like I used to be.

To be continued...

Sinful Temptation

When you think Lindt, you generally think of a sinful temptation, your mouth salivating as you start to carefully unwrap your treat. When I eat Lindt, I often think Of Charlie and the chocolate factory, I have this child's excitement that when I pull away the silver wrapping I'm going to find a golden ticket to experience the world of chocolate. Its not far off, as Lindt do scrumptious classes anyways, you can go to a class and learn all sorts of things. You could learn all about chocolate, the history, the marketing, packaging, why its all done the way it is. You could also go to a dessert class and find yourself preparing the delicate, seductive mini delights for a dinner party to impress those friends who aren't convinced about your casserole.

As a partner to a Lindt chocolatier I can quiet honestly say Lindt is by far the best chocolate I have tasted. Its not only about the actual chocolate but with what you can use it for. Choc chip cookies, yum, and then a warm, sweet beverage to quench the thirst a Hot chocolate. Oh sweet temptation!! In the old Cape Quarter, the restaurant Andiamo serves world class pizza's, and what is better than ending off your afternoon with a Lindt Hot Chocolate and a cookie.

Often we have a birthday, or a celebration of sorts and we are stomped with a gift. I have never been more grateful because any occasion Kyle and myself are the ''Lindt couple'' and I tell you our present is appreciated more than a tea set, or an expensive sweater. Peoples faces light up like no other when you give them a Lindt bar, or a macaroon. Another idea would be to take your wife, mother, significant other, or even your child to a Lindt class. No better way to bond than to spend it learning, creating and eating your magnificent creation.

I know Lindt may be pricey for some, but Lindt make sure to cater for everyone. They often have really good specials. It wont break the bank, but it may break the diet you are on. I have a guy at work that swears by Lindt and I always get messages asking what time they close, or open or leave.. blah blah.. I think if he could have a tab there he would. Its no sin to love Lindt, its smart to love a well known chocolate that brings people together.

I say brings people together because I am sure you could just about get yourself out of any situation with a Lindt chocolate. ''I don't have my licence on me, however I have a divine chocolate for you?'' please do not try that, I'm just saying Lindt is something that I have seen work like no other. I have used it on my mother before, if she is angry or upset with me, I whip out the Lindt, make her a cup pf tea and all is forgotten about with that first mouth watering, heavenly bite.

I myself am not the biggest chocolate fan, but when I lie in bed waiting for something sweet, and sensational, I just stick my hand into my bedside draw open a mini Lindor ball, and suddenly I could conquer anything. What I love the most is the fact that there are so many flavours, if one does not suit you, there is another flavour waiting for you. Be it Salt, Chili, Tirimisu (my favourite) or Wasabi. A well catered chocolate selection for everyone. The white mousse is also a winner, and the milk chocolate mousse. OK that's enough now, I am craving a bit of sweet temptation now.. I have to admit I have been converted.

I would recommend looking at the classes, and heading to the old Cape Quarter for a tasty temptation, if heaven had chocolate waterfalls, I imagine it would be filled with Lindt.

Be kind, and eat chocolate,

AbiD

CHOCOLATE STUDIO CAPE TOWNPhone: 021 831 0360
Email: CPTStudio@lindt.com
Address: The Chocolate Studio, Shop B104, Cape Quarter
72 Waterkant Street, de Waterkant, Cape Town





http://www.chocolatestudio.co.za/

Dont hate me, cause I ate you...

How was the weekend? To quick for me, before I knew it I was in bed on Sunday night dreading falling asleep, because that means Monday: work, traffic, yellow pages, and gym! Although gym is about the best part of the day, besides for seeing Kyle when I get home :)

Macaroons By Kyle

Don't these goodies look tempting? Well I'm no personal trainer, but I like to think that after I eat something naughty and I gym hard a just counter act the naughty treat. That's probably a huge bunch of rubbish, but I like to believe it, and no harm in that hey? Eating habits are probably what make us look like we do, what we eat and how we live our lifestyles. Personally I don't think that our bodies were made to never endure in something nice, but at the same time cave-man never had cheesecake, that I know of.

Birthday cake and plating I did for a jogger

Its all about balance, maybe not eating naughty things all the time, but reward yourself every now and again, and do not binge, I know from experience it isn't healthy. I used to eat once a day and that was at 5pm, everyday, I thought I could eat whatever I like because I wasn't eating more than one meal a day, and during the time yes I was a skinny Minnie, but the minute I started eating more than that I picked up weight. So I now eat five meals a day, I gym, and I may not be a size zero, but I'm starting to feel good again. I feel like I'm actually doing something to help me feel healthy and energetic. I will never be able to run a 50km race, but I could probably walk it, which is more than I could ever do.

Spur after gym :/

Gym, dead, does nobody workout ??

I always find that if I haven't had a lot of sugar and my body is craving it, I will never go and eat the apple with the natural sugars, I will raid a cupboard of sweets or chocolates, thanks to Lindt. They are so tempting when your body is yelling; hello, may I have something for my energy levels. Well sure you can have a hazelnut chocolate, that will make you feel gross after you've eaten it, as opposed to a lovely sliced apple with Cinnamon and honey drizzled over it. Our bodies, and brains are weird.

Home-made pizza I made (wholewheat base)

Thai Chicken pasta Mel and I made at work

Always important after an unhealthy weekend..

Lovely using fresh tomatoes

Home Made Butternut Soup.. YUM

Butternut, salmon and beans, lovely

I went to my friends boyfriends house to help make dinner, when I saw the food I thought it was for a party, but Ill have you know it was for no such thing, it was just for the family, plates of sushi, and spring rolls (prawn) YUM, pumpkin fritters(never had before this) crab salad, normal salad, Curry and rice, noodle salad. The table of goods was never-ending, and I was in heaven.. Then to top it off Donuts, which I had half, but couldn't have anymore. Now that I know this is an everyday occurrence I shall be visiting more often :)

Keep well, eat warm

AbiD

In my face.. NOW!!!

I want this in my face...NOW!!!

Spur Ribs

Steers Burger and chips

sushi

Oh boy, oh boy. I sit at my desk staring into space picturing all the food I want in my face NOW! Earlier I had a craving for Steers chips, with that BBQ sauce, endless amounts. Then it turned to Spur ribs because I haven't had them in years. Then my mind turned to sushi, which I always crave, then a bell went off in my head.... GYM!

No I don't feel like going to gym later, Id rather sit at home and stuff my face with naughty food, but I always feel so guilty about it once I'm done and I have left over sauce on my cheek, and a piece of chip in my hair. Why do these guilty pleasures tempt me in my head. The only reason I can think of is boredom. I clearly have too much time on my hands to day dream at all, it then turns to food cravings, and then to unhealthy food it goes.  Who sits staring into space thinking .. hmm how good would a grilled chicken breast with no seasoning and a cup's serving of veg be? I think if we had to have a show of hands how many, you probably wouldn't be one of them?

I'm deciding if I should go back into the baking industry, I mean I do it well. I don't do my current job very well. The money is better there than here, and I get to take pictures, and give recipes to my blog readers. I just don't know I am so confused. Now my mind is back on a Copenhagen with a cup of tea outside in the garden. I must learn to focus more. But then again you only live once. If my boss shouts at me, why does it matter? Besides for the fact that it pisses me off, and its not professional, nor necessary, when I get home who cares.. Oh wait, I still do, it ruins my entire day, and then all I want to do is go to gym, and find a pair of gloves and a punching bag.

Gym, why is it so hard to be motivated for it? Besides for the fact that it is currently winter, and all anybody wants to do when they get home from work is sit with tea/hot chocolate/ coffee with a blanket in front of a fire, whilst watching television, its just not that time when anybody feels like, hey lets go workout, lets do it "Sammy". Maybe if you have a gym pal, but I'm a lone ranger on this one. Nobody goes to Planet Fitness anymore its always Virgin Active this and that. Then the minute it hits November every chick, and man thing is like Oi its so like time to hit the gym (surfer dude accent). Try get those beach bodies, mean while back at the ranch we are supposed to be healthy throughout the year, I think our bodies hate us, which is probably why weight fluctuates and gets worse as one gets older.

Look I'm no personal Trainer, I'm just saying if you get a good body, leave it after summer, eat and no work out for the cold months, then try train again in a good couple of months your body is eventually going to say FUCK YOU, you can get fat for messing with my shit. Just my take on the whole scenario, so we actually have to try and keep balance. Then I think about how much this food would cost me, and how broke I am, and how I would eventually like to have a house to live in (some day soon), and it all just feels like, well maybe one day I'll treat myself. I don't know how you get those people who buy a cup of coffee in the morning, and a Woolies meal for lunch,everyday, I mean i wish I could, but it would just break my bank. Remember I have a car to pay off!

BLT my fave

So when you think, maybe I should go get a burger and chips as a quick meal, remember it costs money, it makes your body hate you and there are alternative sneaky treats. But then again you really do only live once so do what you want.

Go get that treat, don't gym, don't get it and do gym.. Its up to you..
I have an hour left then I will decide.. to gym, or not to gym??

YOLO :) (corny)
Keep well, keep reading, and eat Nougat

and then theres gym

Nougat



In a Pickle .... Literally

Yes, I feel as though I'm in a pickle. I have come to find how negative I am and how it affects my everyday life. I read The Secret, and thought it would be easy to be positive, but in fact its rather difficult to always think that things are going to be ok. How many times have you been in a bad situation, regardless of what it may be, and have thought to yourself "its all going to work out for the best." ?

Its not the easiest thing to do. I have thought many times when sitting thinking about how my life has turned out so far, I don't have enough money, I don't enjoy my job, I will never get a house. But the bigger picture amounts down to the fact that, I have a job, I have never been without money, I have family, friends, a boyfriend and Im healthy. Then I think to myself, shit, I am so ungrateful. In these rainy cold days, there are people sitting with nothing, how could I dare be so selfish? I reckon I just thought about ME the whole time.

I am a people pleaser, I like to please people, I always have to have approval from people, and if they don't like me I go out of my way to try and change their mind, when in fact what does it really matter if someone is not fond of me? On the big scale of all the people I know, and care about, what does it matter if the till lady at Clicks looks at me funny? How will it change my life in the long run? It wont. It wont change a single thing in my life.

Well there's a thought, stop caring so much. Guys always say girls look at each other funny, and I must say I often tend to agree, I do it, I'm sure you do it. If I'm in a store and some barefoot fairy dances around 7-11, I stare and think like how does she do that? How does she just not give a flying f**k? I want to be like that, well not barefoot its cold, but just do something with a lot of people around, and actually not care.

Same as our weight, the way we look, I reckon society has a big hold on most of us, you aren't pretty unless you are a size 2, or you aren't model material because you aren't with an agency, or you will never get married because you have freckles. What is it that we can do to make society happy? I reckon if we were all just ourselves, we would each accept the person who is just as different as us.

I would like to start doing seminars at schools about bullying, as a past bullier, and victim, I want to teach children that it is ok to be different. I would like to make a positive change. I would like to change myself, my mind set, and actually believe that it doesn't matter what you wear, who you date, how you even wear your hair. We are all beautiful.

You are beautiful..
Never change,

AbiD