Recent Baking / Pastry Achievements

Although Kristen finished school in December, her graduation ceremony was a few weeks ago. In addition to receiving her Baking and Pastry medal, she also was name valedictorian of the Baking and Pastry program:












This is a sheet cake (which serves 150+ people) Kristen made for the UM Grand Rapids Alumni Club scholarship dinner:








A few weeks ago, there was a chocolate event at the B.O.B. Local vendors set up booths with samples, displays and also entered a chocolate masterpiece competition. Here is the chocolate display piece Kristen made for the Erika's booth:












This is the chocolate masterpiece Kristen created that was entered in the competition. The smaller cakes were given to each judge for tasting. It tied for second with the entry from the Chop House. The B.O.B. won first place.




















Kristen hand dipped over 600 strawberries to give away to the public. They were a huge hit and Erika's won the "People's Choice Award."

Viva Las Vegas!

We spent last weekend in Las Vegas. We had a nice time visiting friends, watching a lot of basketball, hanging out by the pool, and walking the strip. Phil has been several times in the past but this was Kristen's first trip.

A few baking photos...

Go Diego, Go! These cupcakes were made for our neighbor's 4th birthday party:












An anniversary cake for my friend's parents:









Cookies I decorated for a project at work:

4 Year Anniversary!

Here are a few photos from our wedding:















































It is hard to believe how fast the last four years have gone. We've accomplished a lot:
- Phil left his job at SRR to open a Jimmy John's
- We sold our condo in Northville
- We bought a house in Grand Rapids
- A second Jimmy John's was opened
- Kristen left her job in Detroit to move to GR
- We went on our dream vacation in Alaska
- Kristen started culinary school and began working as a Pastry Chef
- Phil sold the 2 Jimmy John's and started working at Plante & Moran
- We put an addition on our house
- Kristen graduated from culinary school

Not bad for four years!

Baby Shower Cake

Here are some photos of a baby shower cake I made:

Happy Holidays!

I'm a Pastry Chef

Well, it's official! I am done with all my culinary classes and should receive my Baking and Pastry certificate in the next few weeks. It has been a great year and a half. I have really enjoyed all my classes and feel that I've learned a lot. I plan to continue working as the Pastry Chef at "Erika's" where I have been given more responsibilities: costing, ordering, and working on wholesale items for local restaurants, coffee shops, etc. Here are a few of the items I created during the past year that I am especially proud of:

Chocolate Violin - everything in this centerpiece is made of chocolate!













Pear Bavarian Plated Dessert - Pear Bavarian, Shortbread Cookie, Poached Pear, Vanilla Snap Cookie, Pear Chip, and Port Wine Reduction









Pistachio Cream Cake - Linzer Dough, Caramelized Bananas, Pistachio Biscuit, Vanilla Cream, Soft Toffee, Mascarpone Cheese Mousse, and Crunchy Pistachios.









Sugar Bottles - These bottles were molded out of sugar, have a modeling chocolate label, are filled with truffles, have a chocolate base, and a white chocolate cap.