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Award-winning cookery writer, teacher and chef

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Charlotte Pike

Days 19-22 – A low then a high

26 January 2014 By Charlotte Pike 8 Comments

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It’s probably a good thing I didn’t blog last thursday (day 19). The week had gone from bad to worse and Thursday was the last straw. Despite getting in around 7.30am, I managed to get way behind schedule very quickly. So much so that my chicken should have marinated in the fridge for an hour having made a lovely sauce for it to sit in and having jointed the chicken, too. The chicken made it into the oven at the last minute in order to get it cooked in time for lunch. I set the timer and got on with my yeast bread which was also woefully behind schedule. After around 20 minutes, I went back to have a peek at the chicken through the oven door, only to find someone had turned my oven up to 250C and the chicken was burnt. Not only that, the timer I set on the oven for my bread hadn’t gone off either and my bread was black. By that point I was on the edge. I managed to (just about) hold it together and serve my food which, predictably didn’t score well. Then, I found out I had an extra two duties to complete at lunchtime, so again, didn’t get a break and was later for Rachel’s demo to start.

Come Thursday night, I was feeling pretty despondent. Everything I seem to touch at Ballymaloe goes wrong. And it’s things I know I can cook and do reasonably order phentermine k25 well. I hate to say it, but a lot of the time, it really isn’t my fault that things go wrong – I have lost count of the number of times my oven has been turned up or down with my back turned and ruined my cooking and so on.

By friday morning, I was past caring, and I only had two recipes, so I went in early to get started. The kitchen seemed my calmer on friday and was a much more enjoyable place to work. Sorcha, my teacher for the day was on great form and really helpful, and I managed 4 recipes in the end, getting a 9* for my apple pie.

I was really buoyed by my progress on friday and was looking forward to the weekend. My lovely friend Amy came out to stay and we had a great weekend exploring the local area and having a good catch up. So, it’s sunday night again, and I’m feeling a little refreshed and more positive about the week ahead. I’ve been put into the kitchen I wanted, so I have a good feeling about Week 4. We’re a quarter of the way through the course already.

Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to email me and leave me lovely comments. I’m still having trouble uploading photos, so please do follow me on Instagram (CHARLOTTEKDIARY) as I am able to share more there.

Filed Under: Ballymaloe

Day 18 – Zzzz

22 January 2014 By Charlotte Pike 8 Comments

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Today, I’ve managed to feel even more tired than yesterday. I’ve never felt this tired before. I did get up early and go for a garden walk with Tim and we sowed some peas and broad beans in the glasshouse, which was a very nice way to spend the morning. It is getting light much earlier now.

We start our theory day at 9am and we focussed on beef and lamb today. Here’s Darina with the giant beef rib which became our lunch later on. Rory came in to demonstrate some dishes later, too.

Lunch today was really nice – the usual assortment of dishes, which today included beef, lamb, beans, salad and prawns. And several puddings, too.

I really struggled to stay awake this afternoon. We ran though various methods of preserving and career opportunities – plenty of food for thought.

We finished really late for a Wednesday (around 5:45pm) and off we went to make our first sourdough loaves. I didn’t manage to stay the duration as I had some work to do, but Alice very kindly brought me round half a loaf fresh from the oven, which made a delicious surprise. Tim’s sourdough is just incredible and I can’t wait to get my own starter going. I’m hoping to get it going nicely and to be able to bring it back with me in April. Tomorrow I have just two recipes to cook, so I’ll see if I can do something extra, as one is bread and one is meringue – both should be fairly easy.

Filed Under: Ballymaloe

Day 17 – A catch up!

21 January 2014 By Charlotte Pike 10 Comments

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I’m afraid tonight’s post will be brief. I am just so tired at the moment. Somehow going home for the weekend wiped me out. I struggled through yesterday (another frustrating day of cooking!), had an early night and have just about made it through today. I have just returned from 12 hours on the trot at the school and I’m shattered. My cooking today wasn’t great, again. It’s driving me round the wall. There’s always something that means I mess up my food!

Anyway, we had an interesting demo from Rory this afternoon. I thought the recipes we cooked were particularly delicious. I was on serving duty (and three other duties today!) and then stayed on for another buy viagra us pharmacy couple of hours for a sourdough class with Tim.

The sourdough he makes is simply exquisite and I cannot wait to begin to have a go myself. My partner and I have shared out our recipes for thursday and I only have two, so I will have to see if I can do something else or I will have a quiet morning (although it might mean I finish on time, for once!).

Tomorrow is theory and we are focussing on beef and preserving, I think. Right now. I’m off to bed. Those who know me know I work long hours, but I am feeling particularly drained at the moment. More tomorrow (hopefully!).

Filed Under: Ballymaloe Tagged With: 12 week course, Ballymaloe Cookery School

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About Charlotte

Charlotte Pike, award-winning cookbook author, cookery teacher and chef.

Author of five bestselling cookery books, leading independent cookery teacher and private chef, running Charlotte's Kitchen catering company. Charlotte is also the current Chair of the Guild of Food Writers.

Charlotte is known for her recipes that really work, and as a professionally trained chef who writes about food.

Charlotte lives in the English countryside and is passionate about great home cooking using the best seasonal ingredients.

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