Day 45 - Half way mark

Saturday morning and all I could look forward to was my next 2 days off for a mini vacation! But first, a cooking demo, 29 person party, prep for dinner, and a 15 person party. This was the day ahead. We got into work and as Chef and Carlo took the 29 person group to the market, we set up the classroom for a cooking demo and the kitchen for dinner service. It is a cool concept, Chef takes the group to the market and then makes homemade pasta and sauce as a cooking demo, then they are served 5 courses. I made the pasta dough and set the mise en place for the demo. It was pretty fun actually to set it all up.

From here, we were on the move to get the party food set and organized for an easy delivery of service. Meanwhile, we had a party of 15 for the evening which was not quite set. So as Chef and Franchesco worked on building the cake for the party, I butchered lamb chops. Way fun and a little dangerous since our house knives are not too sharp and I was basically cutting through bone. But nonetheless, I took 2 racks down pretty quick for my first time.

With the crazy day, there was no family meal, so on my short siesta, I headed to get my first Piadina. It is like a burrito sort of, but better. There is this large rotating piece of pork on a spit, that they literally shave meat off of when an order comes in. Then they place it on burrito like tortilla, fill it with onion, cabbage, spicy ketchup, french fries, slaw, and tomato. Served with fries and a coke, multa bene. I was so hungry and this thing was taking me no time to eat, rest assured there would be a gut bomb sitting later, but it was worth it. At $5.50 Euro, not a bad little afternoon meal.

Dinner went smoothly and we had a few a la carte customers as well, so that was nice too. We ran out of a few of our sides, which was nice since they were on their way out. The boys will have plenty to do tomorrow at work while I am off enjoying the train and Bologna. Yup, I booked my trip to Bologna on Siesta and my train is set for 9:33 am, two nights, and an early train back to Orvieto on Tuesday morning in time for work.

The party people stayed until after 11, which was a bit annoying, but that just means we drank 2 bottles of wine amongst the 5 of us. With some of the left over truffle risotto we made for the party, this was a nice end to the night. Headed home to see if my mom is available to skype and she was. We talked a bit about her impending trip to Italy, I can hardly wait. And since, officially, today is my halfway mark at 45 days, only 45 more to go. That is of course of the internship, then there will be a few weeks of travel around Italy and France. Then I am not sure, once I get on the ball and start applying to gigs in Europe, I may be off to another adventure. Here is my plea to any of my fabulous readers: If you know anyone with a cooking connection in Italy, France, Spain, or Portugal, let me know, I am on the hunt for a paying gig.

Have a safe and wonderful Saturday night.

Ciao Riggotssi!

Day 44 - Friday = Angry Day

Man was I way bitchy today. I know, that is so wild to believe (note the sarcasm), but it was true. Not sure what the issue was, but I came close to slapping a few of the guys today, everything was getting on my nerves. I think it was a combination of having to repeat myself and answering stupid questions, two of my favorite things. I guess the term ‘Silence is Golden’ was my motto for the day, but the silence kept being broken, so I just became more and more annoyed.

We did make polenta cakes for a party for Saturday, we made 2 kilos of polenta, 4.4 lbs. It made 2.5 sheet pans of polenta. I also bagged the lard-biscotti from earlier in the week. They looked nice, bagged in tall skinny cellophane bags with the Zeppelin business card attached. It will be a nice marketing tool.

We had 10 customers all day, so it was nice to cook a bit. I feel pretty comfortable behind the line, but would like a bit more business to really test out my abilities. After siesta, where I just laid, zoning out to some American TV, I felt a bit less bitchy. That was until the ridiculous questions popped back up. By the end of the night, we were all so hungry again, that as we waited for the last customers to leave, at the suggestion of head waiter Vito Palo, we had a sandwhich party. We basically set a table cloth on a table like a picnic and made a bunch of sammies. It was pretty fun and delicious. Vito is very funny and is always trying to get us to have vino at the end of the shift, of course today, I was all in.

Home to sleep off the annoyance, is that possible? I am sure I will be better again tomorrow. HA!

Day 43 - Best Day Ever

Thursday, 2-3-11. It was a full day with chef, so not sure what we were going to be in for, but either way it was probably going to be filled with something crazy. With no customers in the morning time, we did some prep for the next few weeks of parties. Made soup, roasted eggplants, and made pear jelly. I cooked down the pears with sugar and a touch of water, almost like making applesauce, but much thicker due to the amount of sugar in the concoction. It was really, really good, especially on warm bread.

We wrapped up fairly early and by 2:30 we were enjoying the sunny courtyard at the restaurant. It was a beautiful day making it even better was a skype date with Moe later. And then, Franchesco delivered the best news, chef was closing the restaurant for dinner service! An unexpected day off!!!! So Wonderful! We headed home for some r&r during siesta. I was able to sleep a little and then was able to chat with Moe for a while. I miss your mug darlin!

Then as dinner time rolled around, we all became so hungry. We headed up to Pizzaria Charlie for a good ol’ pie. The one pictured has porcinis, cippolle, pomadoro, con mozzarella. It was especially tasty with the hot pepper oil on top. Although, Drew had salsicia picante on his (spicy salumi) and I am going for that next time. After, I caught the bus home to head to bed. It was a pretty calm day and restful, which was much needed.

I miss you all very much!

Language Lesson

Bounjourno - Good Morning

Famme - Hungry

Salssicia - Sausage

Picante - Spicy

Day 42 - An Easy Day

It is seeming like these easy slow days are plentiful here in Orvieto. No customers today, but we did a bit of prep and had steak for family meal dinner, which was fantastic, especially since it was paired with mashed potatoes with sun dried tomatoes. Delish!

We also, finally had a successful event of installing internet at our house! Finally, I can actually rest on siesta now and type blogs and post them when I want. Even though, yes, I am a bit behind right now, sorry.

I have to send some CONGRATULATIONS to a few of my pals who just got engaged over the last couple weeks! Lindsay & Kyle, Kelly & Danny, Charmaine, and Nadine! I am so happy for all of you! The next chapter of your lives is going to be so very wonderful. Shameless plug starts now: If you need any catering, cupcakes, or a day of wedding coordinator, you just let me know :)

I hope you all had a wonderful Hump day Wednesday!

Ciao!

Language Lesson

Ti Amo = I love you

Spousa/o = Wife/Husband

Amor = Love

Day 41 - Part 2 - Shops and Secret Shots

After lunch, I wandered through the narrow streets of Assisi. It is amazing the craftsmanship that went into these walls and buildings still standing today. St. Francis passed in 1226, the artifacts, houses, and olive groves still mark the place in a time that is almost unrecognizable to us. I popped into an olive wood shop. Presents Abound! Kim, Melaine, Colls, Karen, Mark, and me! Fuel friends, I even found a gnocchi paddle, which I can not wait to try, if you need another one in house, just let a gal know, I like buying presents. :) I also found this great stationary shop. I purchased a letter stamp that ‘embosses’ wax onto documents and envelopes. Pretty neat find. Who wants a letter? I want to use my new toy.

From here, I headed to both the Chiasa Nuova and the St. Chiasa church. Both dedicated to St. Clara. I took illegal photos of the candle in one, oopps. Both were ominous and silent. However, the Chiasa Nuova was my favorite. The alters and the frescos were very moving. It was wonderful. And yes, in both places, I ‘lit’ candles too. I need to bring more offerete next time, I ran out of coins. In the St. Chiasa Church, St. Clara’s tomb was below as well with artifacts and frescos depicting her life as she left her family and started the Poor Sisters of Christ.

After some breathtaking views, I headed to San Damiano. This is the olive grove where St. Francis of Assisi first heard the voice of God. It is also where he wrote his ‘Ode to Creatures’. As the sun was setting on this place, there was a definite feeling abound. Not erie or spooky, just an understated knowing that something life altering had happened there so long ago. It was beautiful and I wished to stay longer, but needed to head back to catch my train.

When you come to visit Italy, make time, even if just half a day, for Assisi. It is 20 minutes west of Perugia, so you could potentially get two places in in one day. Photos of my wares and the beauty above.

All of these sacred places and churches and history, whether or not you are a practicing religion, have a way of creeping into your being, making you scope out your inner self and do some soul thinking. This may sound cliche, but it is true. If you have lost a loved one recently or in the past, celebrate them today and the next day in anyway you can. Life is too short to not keep with us the ones we have lost. Light a candle in their honor, even if at your own house. Or in Assisis’s case, just turn the light on and think of the loved one.

Enough ranting.

Ciao!

And yes, that is a slingshot in the photo. I bought if for my intern friends so they could target practice on the pigeons in our courtyard and the restaurant. They are going to love it!

Day 41 - Assisi - Part 1 - Large Church, Large Appetite

My day off and I was off to Assisi, early, on the 8:04 train. A total of 2:20 including a stop to change trains. I slept for most of it, except when the dang train people kept waking me up to see my ticket. Silly. Once in Assisi, I took the bus, line c, all the way to the top part of the city. It was literally all down hill from here, in a good and steep way.

Assisi is known for its famous son, St. Francis of Assisi and for the lesser known, St. Clara of Assisi. Each Saint having their own church dedicated to them and a set of monks and nuns devoted to them. The churches are beautiful here, the streets are medieval, and the crafts were wonderful. I hit up the Sr. Rufino Church first. I ‘Lit’ a candle for Papa Olst, of course, and I took some photos. The Mother Mary was stunning here, and not another soul in the place, rather peaceful.

Then I worked my way down to the Basilica of St. Francis, which has both and upper and lower church. This place was very large and beautiful, but there are only pics from the outside, as photos were not allowed inside. However, I will try to convey to you how beautiful and lovely the experience was. Inside the lower church of St. Francis, there were 3 alters, a confessional area, a lower area with artifacts from St. Francis, frescos abound, multiple candle areas and stunning statues. And, as you guessed I ‘lit’ yet another candle for T.Olst. I keep saying ‘lit’ because in every church I went to in Assisi, no real flame. All electronic flames. Pretty interesting actually.

The most stunning part of the church was the lower tomb area where St. Francis was laid to rest, along with 4 other friars that were in his inner circle. It was very quiet and peaceful and the silence was truly golden. It turns out that every half hour starting at 12:30, a 15 minute service is held in the tomb area. Surrounded by nuns, monks, and a few other patrons, the service began, in all Italian. It was beautiful, the responses given in unison. I even had the prayer book and was able to sing the one song. They must take voice lessons, because the Monks sounded unreal and like songbirds with their voices reverberating against the stone walls. It was very moving.

From here, I went all the way up to the top to the Upper Church. Yet another large alter and statues and frescos. The enormity was breathtaking. I spent some time in the gift shop, a truly great find. I purchased some soap and tea and chocolate all made by the Monks and the Nuns, very cool and tasty. I also purchased a few gifts; Brother, Mom, Kalyn. I headed out under the sunny, windy sky to find a place to dine.

Pizza was on the docket, one with porcinin mushrooms, mozzarella, tomato, pancetta, and truffle. I wish you could have smelled the richness that came with this pizza. Mouthwatering and so flavorful, and at $13 euro for the pizza, fries, and water, not a bad price. I also had a pretty lovely Umbrian wine, I need to do some hunting in Orvieto to find it again.

Off to see more sights and shop a dop.

Ciao!

Day 40 - Monday. And the week begins.

Another slow Monday, but we did have a 6 top come in, so it was good to work a bit. We also took about 3 days worth of old bread and made 3 bags of bread crumbs, sort of silly, but something to do.

On siesta, I posted some blogs, planned my trip to Assisi for my day off, and started my taxes. Yes, thats right, I started my taxes. I may be the only person I know that likes doing my taxes, I know that seems odd, but it is somewhat satisfying. Now I just need all the mail to come in from all the silly institutions so that I can get this hoopla done.

Since being in Italy, I have come across a new band, and I think you should all check them out on I Tunes: The Villagers (listen to becoming a jackal and home). I say band, but it is actually one guy who plays almost every instrument. He will be in Paris in April, anyone want to go? Also, I am in need of a chiropractor, and since Dr. Ken at Active Care in Golden, CO can’t fly over here for an adjustment, I am trying to find someone local. Or maybe I should find a local massage therapist, since my one from home can’t come here either. Can you tell that I am in need of some pampering?

I have been here just over a month and have decided that Italy has beautiful doorways and knockers. So, I am posting some of my favorite ones so far from my travels. It is amazing, these unassuming wood doors open into beautiful courtyards and hallways, usually in a residential building. Love it!

Ciao Riggotsi!

Language Lesson

Fatta = Make

Manga = Eat