More Park Explorations

Today began with a big trip to a ginormous furniture and houseware store - which was very impressive. Staged rooms, plenty of furniture to test out and a huge warehouse. The walk there was very pleasant; the walk back all uphill maybe not so much. After lunch we headed to another park that had a lot of walking trails through the forest and some beautiful lakes. Had to take advantage of the beautiful and warm sunny day and spend it outside. Must have walked close to 15km today!

My Birthday Away

Today was perhaps the most exciting day of my trip....it was my birthday!! I am super glad I was able to spend my birthday celebrating with my brother and his girlfriend and not just on the road or at a conference (though not terrible ways to spend a birthday, especially compared to previous years of working all day, it's better to be with family).

For starters, last night (after midnight, of course) we had a chocolate cake they had made for me. This morning we went to a large market that was basically meant for foodies. It had many food stalls and vendors as well as some lovely shops. Next we drove over to a large outdoor park where we rented bicycles and biked around the entire perimeter. The park went right along the seawall and the ocean and looked over to the north side of the city. Plenty of trees, flowers, birds, and nature as well.Then it was out to a fancy restaurant for dinner were I was even treated with a special birthday plate.

All in all it was an exciting and pleasant day; celebrating my birthday and exploring another new city.

Closing Ceremonies

Today was the big day of medals and awards and announcements and excitement! It started off with a VIP brunch reception and some speeches. Then onto team introductions and cheering. Presentation of medals and the moments all the competitors have been waiting for - the top three score placements in each category. Then I got to congratulate everyone and hang out for a bit before it was time to eat on a plane yet again and fly on over to my brother's place for a visit!

Competition Day Two

Today was another long day of competing. I bounced back and forth among cooking and baking both secondary and post secondary competitions. I also checked out a lot of the other sites and the try-a-trades. At the end of the day I helped with the clean up and tear down of the cooking sites. I took A LOT of photos - pretty much every food plated today!

sugar sculpture

table of pastry items

salmon main course

bread pudding dessert

ravioli appetizer

salmon entree

creme caramel dessert

fruit tarts and elcairs

slice of decorated cake

Competition Day One

The events of today included a lot of poster girl smile. Basically our group had breakfast together and attended the official launch of the competition. Then we split up into our respectful project areas for the day. Later on we grouped back together for a presentation and then later for a group dinner at a local restaurant. Back at it again tomorrow!

For my specific duties I first went to mingle around the cooking and baking competition areas, where I spent most of the mingling with people I had already know but hadn't necessarily seen in awhile. At the competition area I met three of my previous culinary instructors, a few other chefs I knew from doing different competitions, a few people I had just met at the least conference I attended just before this, as well as some competitors from my region that I knew!

Mid-morning I had a filmed interview and mini demo with a Masterchef champion so that was super cool! I got to meet him, take a picture with him, plate food with him, and just chat.

I also got the chance to watch some of the cooking and baking competitions going on, cheer on some competitors I know, take pictures, and visit the try-a-trade chocolate truffle, freshly baked cookie, and canape stations.

canapes 

cookies

cooking competition area

cooking sample plate

baking sample cookies

visitors 

Opening Ceremonies

Today in the morning we did some set up and tours of the project area and set up seven feet posters of ourselves with little descriptions to present us as the alumni and offer to answer anyone's questions. In the afternoon there was some free time so I got to go shopping and explore the little market by the river, the river walk, and some surrounding shops.

The evening was very exciting with the opening ceremonies - beginning with a VIP welcome reception with drinks and hors d'oeuvres (smoked salmon blinis, spanokopita, terriyaki chicken on rice, fried shrimp, mini ceasars, chicken skewers), an opening reception with a huge buffet of food (vegetable tray and hummus, fruit tray, macaroni and cheese, pork, beef, and chicken sliders, condiments, coleslaw, greek salad, garden salad,pierogies, and dessert squares, pop, and juice) and then the huge, extremely loud opening ceremonies with the rallies of all the teams, entertainment, presentations, and speeches. 

chocolate truffles at the market

city view

welcome reception buffet

the crowd beginning to arrive

Orientation

1. Finally sleeping in
2. Getting so much free swag
3. Orientation meeting
4. Tour of the event grounds
5. Exploring the city
6. Dinner out at a pizzeria

view of the city

free swag

col bridge on the river

inside a mall

Stop Number Two

Today I travel from my amazing adventures at the culinary conference to my next adventure as an alumni ambassador at a national trades competition. I'm not totally sure what is in store for me here but I know some of my duties will include assisting with things such as set up and take down, opening and closing ceremonies, try a trade booths, and sharing stories. I also know I will have the opportunity to interview a tv star guest chef. Here't to more fun adventures and exploring another corner of the country! 

The Gala

Pictures from the gala dinner.

1. Tempering chocolate workshop
2. Annual group photo
3. Lunch
4. Gala

Today looks like a short day but it's only because there were some breaks within the day and the majority of the day was spend on the big gala which entails a cocktail reception, five course dinner, entertainment, presentations, awards, announcements, and finally dancing. It is the highlight of the conference for sure.

Asparagus and potato vichssoisse with spot
prawns, goat cream, and canola oil

Sturgeon, caviar, fermented potato, buttermilk, seaweed

Smoked lemongrass duck, charred
scallions, pineapple curry emulsion

Beef ternderloin and brisket

Honeyberry and pistachio, white chocolate
creameaux, pistachio feuilletine, sorbet, raspberry jus

Photography and Trip Out

1. Breakfast some assembly required 

2. Food photography tips

3. Building your own brand seminar

4. Headshots

5. Lunch some assembly required

6. Getting off the roller coaster presentation

7. Goat cheese and beer pairings tasting

8. Block party

Today was more informational seminars of course, more good food, and more socializing.