THE FINAL DAY... THAT WON'T END

(IMPORTANT: To fully appreciate the contents of this week's blog entry, you are advised to turn your speakers on as it contains several videos. Also, if your internet connection is slow and takes time to load the videos, it would be best to click the pause button after you hit play to allow the video to fully load so you can watch it without interruptions.)

The class was extra special last week. Yes, It was the final session for FCA batch 55. It was bitter-sweet but, being the positive bunch that we are, we focused on the festive side of the moment. Everyone was excited about the class picture and the graduation party scheduled that afternoon.

But of course we still had work to do...

Chef Gerd was the last Chef mentor for FCA 55

We grabbed every opportunity to take pictures with our friends

PER GROUP ... one more time

GROUP ONE

Dundee, Hyuri, Lani, Jackie, Tita Myr & Deby

GROUP TWO

Jun, Jane, Jiji, Mommy Brij, Donna & Joya

GROUP THREE

Jay, Dang, Jane, Liezel, Jong, Grace & Dave

GROUP FOUR

Mae, Kuya Toto, Emily, Ditas, Agnes & Denley

MORE GROUP PICS!!!

FCA 55 FINAL MASTERPIECES... well, for now anyway...

Beef Stroganoff

Spaetzle

Beef Wellington

Baked Tomato

Potato Gratin

Green Asparagus Sauteed in Butter

Horseradish and Smoked Salmon Crushed Snapper Fillet

AFTER ALL THAT WORK AND FOOD, WE WERE READY FOR OUR CLASS PICTURE...
NO WAIT... CLASS PICTURESSSS!!!

WE WENT STRAIGHT TO FRESKA TO PARTY!!!

OUR GRADUATION CEREMONY

WE HAD OUR VERY OWN GAG AWARDS

THE WINNERS...

DUNDEE
VIAJERO AWARD

LIEZEL
PANAWID-GUTOM AWARD

GRACE AND JAY
LOVE TANDEM AWARD

EMILY
LUBOG-LITAW AWARD

DEBY
HIGH-ENERGY AWARD

LANI
HIDDEN TALENT AWARD

AGNES
BALOT AWARD

DANG
STRIKE-A-POSE AWARD

HYURI
TURISTANG HAPON AWARD

WHATTA SURPRISE!

I was given a surprise token of appreciation by the class...

.... muntik na akong maiyak... huhuhuhu

.... but enough drama... LET'S PARTY!!!

FCA 55 is not just a batch of culinary arts students... As the weeks went on we became a family... Though we might not be able to see each other week after week like we used to, we are assured of a deep, loving friendship from each other... wherever we may be...
and this we shall always treasure and remember..

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."
~Anais Anin~

FCA 55... IN MY LIFE

We concluded our Fundamentals in Culinary Arts course yesterday with a graduation celebration (of course, we have another course to take but, hey, it gave us another reason to party! hah!). It was fun, wacky, full of surprises, thrilling, festive and you won't be able to see any of them here...hehehe... well, not right now anyway. I'm still waiting for my classmates for their photo contributions (Dundee, Hyuri and the rest of you guys, pakibilisan please! Now na!... hehehe).

In the meantime, I would like to capture the spirit and the essence of FCA-55 by way of this short music video. As Kuya Toto suggested, this could be our batch's theme song...

(SPEAKERS ON PLEASE)

I miss you guys...

A VEAL and A VIDEO...

I just thought I should give this blog entry a little twist... READ ON... and WATCH (note: TURN YOUR SPEAKERS ON).

COOKING METHODS THREE

THE DISHES

OSSO BUCO MILANESSE with GREMOLATA

POLENTA

ROASTED RACK OF PORK WITH RED WINE ROSEMARY SAUCE

POTATO PUMPKIN GNOCCHI

COQ AU VIN

BOUILLON POTATOES with PARMESAN and CILANTRO

PAN FRIED LAPU-LAPU FILLET with ARAGULA ONION RELISH

OVEN ROASTED TOMATO COMPOTE

WANNA SEE HOW IT ALL HAPPENED?

THEN WATCH THIS!
AGAIN, SPEAKERS ON!

HAHAHAHA!!! It was a fun day!

LOVIN' EVERY BIT OF IT...

GGGGRRRREEEEEEAAAAATTTT to be back!

I was so happy to attend my Culinary Arts class and be reunited with my friends again. But sadly, it was our last session with Chef Manoj. Yes, in the past I have mentioned how the man scares the hell out of me but he is undoubtedly one helluva mentor too. He does not only guide us through the process of coming up with exemplary dishes but he exposes us to the pressures and demands of Culinary Arts as a business as well.

Me and Chef Manoj

Our Chef-assistant Mark

Last Saturday was no different. True to form, Chef Manoj once again treated us to a session fraught with nerve-wracking thrills and tensions.

Chefs at work

Ate Agnes, bakit mo naman kinakarir ang yelo?... akala mo naman ikinagaling mo na yan at nagpa-picture ka pa...

The Grilling Trio

Group 4 with their new blocking... The Pyramid....hehehe

Habang ang mga tao sa kaliwa ay abala sa pagluluto, yung mga nasa kanan abala sa pagpapa-picture!

So, true to form, the FCA 55 class flashed their pearly whites and posed for every camera in sight.

At nakisali na rin si Chef Manoj

Si Debbie, naka-quarter turn posing na pang Miss Earth... quake... hehe

Isang malaking pagkakasala kay Jay ang ngumiti sa litrato... pansin mo?

Yan ang smile!

Si Dang may hawak pang knife... talagang scary sya... well, even without the knife...

Petiks time muna ang group 3... taranta-mode later

Talaga naman, kahit salamin ay hindi hadlang sa pagpapa-picture...

ASIAN COOKING 3

Pork Stew with Mixed Vegetables

Pak Gui

Lapu-Lapu with Vietnamese Lemon Sauce

Vegetable Samosa with Tamarind Sauce

Crab Rice

Vietnamese Fried Chicken

Sweet Mustard Pork Stir Fry

Stuffed Tomatoes

Nasi Ayam

Vietnamese Spring Roll with Chili Dip

Steamed Fish Fillet with Sesame Oil

Braised Pork

EVERYONE, ENJOY THE BUFFET!

LUNCH TIME NA!

After that, DESTINATION: STARBUCKS!

Pati sa pila... go camera!

Mother's Day Celebration was done at ABE (Serendra, The Fort).

There were supposed to be more pictures (especially the group shots) here but something went wrong with my sister's cam so what was left were the photos taken from my camera phone.

At Starbucks with my mom on my left.

I had my fave Starbucks beverage, Green Tea Frap. My mom asked what was I drinking... sabi ko "Buko Pandan".... hehehe

Here are my fave dishes at Abe (the other dishes we ordered were pretty run-of -the-mill). Their appetizer, Sinuteng Pusit, will really whet your appetite.

Crispy Tadyang

Pinaputok na Pla-Pla

Despite its flaws, I love my life. :)