Balance

Chef Andy Chlebana
Courtesy of Beja @ Studio 7 Photography

I have been looking for a good way to follow up the start of the blog and really talk about what has recently happened and will be happening in the near future.  Recently came back from winning the National Showpiece Championship http://www.pastrylive.com/ in Atlanta, with my partner Nancy Carey.  In 9 days Stacey and I are competing in ACF 2 person mystery basket.  It has been busy and will be for a little while longer.  Working in a team for a competition is like many other ways we experience in everyday life.  Finding your own strengths and weaknesses with your partner, learning new skills and successfully completing your goals.  This does not always mean winning.  Sometimes it is the journey, not the destination.

Theobroma cacao "geastrum"
Courtesy of Beja @ Studio 7 Photography

That being said, busy is the name of the game.  With competition practice schedules and travel comes sacrifice.  Schedules need to be adjusted and sometimes things are missed, not just the important things but the little things.  The weeks leading up to the competition are the most hectic, we are still unpacking from Atlanta while planning for Indy.  I am looking forward to the weekend after we return, a nice dinner with my wife and a weekend at home.  Things will slow down a little, that is when the fun will start.

Chef Nancy Carey
Courtesy of Beja @ Studio 7 Photography

I know some of you are waiting for demonstrations and new recipes, they will be coming.  I will post pics and descriptions of what we prepare for the mystery basket including some of the new techniques we will use.  It is a work in progress, stay tuned it can only get better!

Here we go!

I have been thinking about doing this for a while.  An old friend helped me work on the name, I like to have a little fun with things and feel that the name of my blog will convey this.  I have worked in kitchens since I was sixteen.  After starting culinary school, I found my true calling to be Pastry.  The last five years I have spent teaching at Joliet Junior College, and it has been great.

The idea for this blog came about through my own continued learning.  Striving to improve whenever possible, and looking for the next good idea in the kitchen.  Of course, the blog will look at scratch items and new techniques, but there will be more to it then that.  Life is not just about food and pastry, there is much more going on around us. Sometimes we need to think about everything and take a step back, scratch  our head and look at the bigger picture.

I have been very fortunate to have a wonderful family who supports me and a great career that seems to constantly evolve and grow.  Much like the way I hope this blog evolves.