Chef Veron

For the past few weeks, I've been indulging myself in a fine dining spree. I know this sounds crazy...but it's true, I've been dining at world class restaurants that had cost me a fortune. First it was Claude's, which was an utter disappointment....then I went to Quay, which by the way is the best restaurant ever....and then Pier, but I didn't really pay for that one. What is it with fine dining restaurants and one-syllabled names anyway?? Does it make it more....elegant???? Or classy??? Whatever...

Before this, I've never even been to any fine dining restaurants before....and in just less than a month, I've already visited 3 of the most renowned restaurants in Sydney. And on next Monday, I'm dining in at another fine dining place called Burlington. This is a cheaper option of fine dining...and I heard the food is great.

You know what the funny thing is?? All these fine dining experience has kinda made me a food snob. I wouldn't eat anything that taste anything less than good. I wouldn't even enjoy mediocre food anymore.

Before, I would eat absolutely anything, whether it taste good or bad...just as long as it fills me up and is something that I would normally eat.

Before, I would gobble up a piece of well-done steak...but now, I wouldn't even consider touching a piece of steak that is cooked more than a medium doneness.

Before, I wouldn't be able to detect the flaws of a dish, but now, I begin to compliment or criticize a dish that I'm served in a restaurant.

Before, I wouldn't care if a dish was bland or salty...but now, I wouldn't even consider eating anything that taste bland coz it's absolutely disgusting.

Before, I wouldn't even bother tasting any food that is new to me...but now, I would taste absolutely ANYTHING that you would call "food."

And finally, I used to always go back to the same ol' restaurants and order the same ol' dish....but now, I try new restaurants all the time and I would order different dishes.

Bottom line is, I have a new perspective on food now...and I'm so glad that I've finally discovered the wonders and awesomeness of food. I just cannot believe how I used to ignore what I eat and I was totally clueless about food and cooking. Sometimes I wonder what made me change my perspective...and when I attempt to trace back my steps...and I ended up with Gordon Ramsay.

I'm sure all of you know that I used to be a huge fan of Gordon Ramsay's. Did you realize that I said "used to"? Well, I'm no longer a big fan of his...coz I've got a new role model now...and I call him Ross the Boss. But I will never ever forget that sometime around a year ago, I saw this food show on TV, becoz my housemate so happened to be watching it...it was called "Kitchen Nightmares" featuring Gordon Ramsay. After watching that episode on TV, I immediately you-tubed every other episodes of it and I was HOOKED. I was sooo amazed that food can be so exciting. I was sooo surprised that cooking can be soooo interestiing.

As the days go by, I kept youtube-ing Gordon Ramsay's other shows such as Hell's Kitchen and The F Word. First, I was obsessed with the guy....but after than I began obsessing with the food and cooking. I even experimented some of his recipes at home and I began to develop this passion for food and cooking.

That was when I decided that I wanna be a chef...and that there's nothing in the world that could stop me from achieving this new found passion of mine.

It's funny how a seed is planted in people...and how fast it grows into a tree. Ladies and gentlemen.....I, VERON HAS GROWN INTO A TREE!! Haha...Yes I'm a big fat tree!! I have only 5 more weeks to go, and I'll be officially finished with my culinary course. And GUESS WHAT ppl!!!

I am going to be the HEAD CHEF of my college's restaurant next Wednesday and I'm soooo freakin' excited.

You must be wondering why I was picked to be the Head Chef next week? Especially since I'm one of the weak links in my class. Well...the answer is, I didn't get picked. I volunteered. LOL. Well I did and I'm glad I did. I paid almost $10,000 for this course and I'm gonna make sure I get the most out of it. And if I'm given an opportunity to be the head chef...I have to take it. I'll be an idiot if I don't. Am I right??

I'm really excited and nervous at the same time about this....coz I haven't really been a leader since I was in high school. That's 5 years without any leadership practice. I wonder if I still got it. Deep inside, I know that I'm capable...but I do have my doubts. I guess this is gonna be a real test for my leadership and organization skills....and if I ace this, I know I'm gonna be alright in the future. And if I don't, then I'll know what I gotta work on in order to be better. It's a win/win.

Anyway, I think I'm gonna stop here. Have a nice time, ppl. Cheers.