Charlotte Pike

Today’s cooking went quite well. I wasn’t that happy with what I produced, but it could have been worse. It was my first day of cooking in Kitchen 3, which was great. It is a totally different kitchen to the others I have been in to date. It’s much calmer and more organised. My teacher, Florrie was so lovely and helpful, too, which made such a difference.

I had quite a lot to do and ended up making three breads, mayonnaise, filleting a cod, making a main dish, lemon curd and this lemon meringue pie. Although it was a little brown on top, and my piping wasn’t great (I missed the demo and their piping ideas were much better than mine), it was perfect inside, with the layers staying separate and it cutting cleanly. So that was good.

This afternoon, we had a good demo with Rachel, and cooked a rabbit, which was lovely. Tomorrow, I am making a casserole, a mushroom dish and a salad with homemade mayonnaise, so I think that will keep me busy, but shouldn’t be too bad. And then, the weekend is nearly here again. Tomorrow night I’m off to this wine event at Ballymaloe House, which sounds rather fun, so hopefully, this rather mixed week will end on a high!

I was thrilled to feel better when I woke up yesterday morning. Being ill and home alone in the cottage was so boring. So, with a  spring in my step, I headed back to the school for our wednesday day of theory.

Rory was our teacher for the day on the cooking front, with Colm McCan returning for our wine class, so we spent the morning tasting and learning about wine, and the afternoon tasting and learning about afternoon tea and cakes. I’m sure some people would describe this as a pretty perfect day. Both classes were very enjoyable, although it took some buy prednisone from canada time for my sugar-induced headache to disappear after the tasting.

This morning, I’m preparing to go back into the kitchen again. I have an awful lot to do; two breads, sea bass, mayonnaise, a sauce and a lemon meringue pie, but I’m sure I’ll manage.

The internet has been down an awful lot this week, so I’m struggling to get online again. As always, I’m sharing more photos on Instagram – do follow me (CHARLOTTEKDIARY) and @charlottekdiary on Twitter.

And thank you to all of you who sent me such nice messages and emails earlier in the week. I’m very grateful. Thank you.