Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011

Happy New Year!

I know it’s been more then a month, but this New Year’s Eve 2010/2011, I had to chance to cater for a huge NYE party of ~200 people.  It was located in a huge beautiful loft in SoHo, NY.  I must say, it was a lot of fun!

Because the budget was tight, I had to be pretty creative and find a way to make it work.  Obviously, it was just a stand up party and only finger food was required so it was all good.  I really wish I had a chance to take better pictures!  (It’s so sad that I never get any pictures at these types of events that I work, but it’s almost impossible for me because most of the time I am running around like a maniac.)

My menu was pretty simple :

Charcuterie plate: cured meats (prosciutto, mortadella, salami etc.)

Cheese plate: soft, hard, semi-soft cheese with dried figs, nuts, olives, etc.

Assorted breadsticks and crostini

Crudite plate: assorted veggies and fruits w/ cilantro sour cream and spicy mentaiko mayo

Spicy sashimi cups w/ crispy fried potato and black truffle butter

2 types of Tea sandwiches: wasabi egg salad and bulgogi salad

Triple decker square onigiri (kimbap) – spicy tuna w/ perilla (ggaetnip)

Pizza Saucers – fried wonton skin pizzas.

ANdddd of course, pictures.

My sister Jennifer and friend Christina helping me set up

Presentation is quite embarassing actually.  I think it could have been a lot better, but because I did not have time to assemble all of the food and had limited help, I had to just do what I could!  Thank God I had some people at the party to help me, because assembling and plating was no joke.. Although of course, I wish I had done everything myself.  (I like things a certain way.. can’t help it).  Sometimes I wish there was 5 of me, so I can do everything how I like it.  I wish that a lot of times.  Hehe ^^

Anyway, it was a very fun and successful party.  Very elegant and cool!  However, I think I could have cut back on the amount of cocktails I had that night…if you know what I mean.. but hey, it was NYE and open bar!  What a great way to start off the New Year.

So, Food Network!  Just started 2 weeks ago, and it is definitely challenging.  Depending on what cool is to you, but to me, it’s way cool.  Seeing the celebrity chefs just walking around randomly and acting like normal people.. so weird!  These are the people who I always watched on TV since I was in 9th grade.  I definitely did not get to see everyone yet (like Ina or Giada), but that’s only a matter of time.. I hope!  It is pretty mentally exhausting at times, and by the end of the week I am completely worn out.  But I love the challenge and am working very hard to endure it!  Sooner or later, I believe my hard work will pay off.  Everyone’s gosta pay their dues, right?

Although, I must say… I miss working in a professional restaurant kitchen SO MUCH.  Believe it or not, and I did go through some hard times working as a line cook, but I miss it very very much.  I just know it’s impossible for me to do those crazy doubles while working at Food Network.  Just got to concentrate on one good thing instead of doing a million different things, right?  (Although I am still doing a million things..)  But just having one hard job is good for now I think.   But hello, when am I going to get back in that restaurant kitchen!?

Oh, ilili, I miss you!

Working at one of last years event, ‘Taste of Summer, Central Park’.  With Chef de Cuisine Erik Osol, and fellow cook Sharlie and FOH Alexander.  What fun times, can’t believe that was almost a year ago!

But life moves on.  Now I am in a different place, but still want to find a home!

Home is where the heart is. <3

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