Most young chefs stay at a particular place for a maximum of 3 years. The more you move around the more you learn and grow. If you really make this profession your life can be very exciting. I have never been one to follow that rule. If I find a place I like I get comfortable and stay for as long as I can. I worked at my last catering company for 9 almost 10 years. I worked with the same executive chef who has been there for 11 almost 12 years. We worked so well together that he called me his second wife. Most of the time we fought like we were brother and sister but could also complete each others sentences. He and I had telepathetic skills!! We were an amazing team along with the other prep chefs in the kitchen. They were my second family!
Back in February, after being back in Seattle for the fourth time in four months, I was debating on whether to go back to Seattle or back to school. I just had a feeling like I needed to tweak something in my life. Honestly I was leaning toward Seattle, but he Lord had a different idea. I have been attending a singles ward since back in July and I knew that is where I needed to be. I was thinking it would be a great way to meet people to start dating and living my life again after my divorce. I believe that was true but it also put me in the path of a person that I needed to meet as well. His name is Hal Porter. Hal or Brother Porter is the high council Representative over our ward and just happens to own a catering company. When I found this out I approached him and introduced myself to him as a fellow caterer and thought that would be the end of things. In late January I was given a new calling that required me to go to ward council. In my first meeting I ended up sitting next to Brother Porter. He kept looking at me through the whole meeting and asked my what my last name was. I wondered what was up and when the meeting was over he asked me if I would have a minute to talk with him about non-church things. We met in the hall and he asked my if all chefs had a certain attitude. I said yes and that most of them have huge ego's and feel very entitled. Hal then told me that they were having a hard time finding a head chef that fit their business and then asked me if I would consider taking the position. I said that I would and I did. As soon as he asked me to talk to him I had a feeling like something was about to happen.
I went in a week later and talked with Hal and his wife who run the business together, took a tour of their kitchen and met a few of the employees. I expressed interest and they said they would have an offer for me at the beginning of the week. When the phone call came I was excited but knew what had to happen next. Three words that most employers don't like to hear- two week notice! My bosses face went from shock, to fear, then to panic. It was a very emotional two weeks and my last day was the hardest. I knew I was making the right decision but hated leaving at the same time.
I have now been at my new place for two weeks and am really loving it. The Lord has blessed me with so many wonderful things and get this, all I had to do was ASK!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Christmas in Seattle
This year I was blessed with opportunity to go home for Christmas. Thanksgiving came and went (also spent in Seattle) and after a few crazy, busy weeks at work I was once again on a plane heading for Seattle. Two times in less than a month. This was a record even for me.
I was excited to be back and even more ready for all of the family traditions that I usually got to participate in over the phone. First up, baking day. I am sure this is a day that many families have and I just would not be the holidays without. This year my mom decided to try at least 4 different kinds of cookies that are not usually the list. Tuesday morning we wake up, we load up the car with boxes of flour, sugar, sprinkles, red hots, frosting, cookie cutters, cocoa powder, butter, nuts of kind and then we packed the kids. This year instead of cramming all 13 of the grandkids in to grandmas little kitchen, Carrie offered up her home and double ovens. We all have experience the pace that is set when there is only one oven and 6 or 7 sheets of goodies to bake. This really sped up the process!!!!
The older kids were a big help. Alex and Tessa were there until the end mixing and scooping, rolling and cutting, chopping and measuring all with a smile. The younger group,which was being supervised by Miranda, just wanted the sugar cookies to be done so they could frost and sprinkle. Tami made a comment a few hours into the project that I just kept on going and going. This is my job. This is what I do day in and day out. I work until that last thing is baked and put away and this was no different.
We had our traditional Christmas eve dinner of beef and chicken enchiladas, which some of my siblings are growing tired of and wanted something different. They all took pity on me when I said this was another thing I was looking forward. We had almost everyone in the same house laughing, talking and enjoying the season. These are the times you always knew would come when you were a child. Everyone grown up with kids of their own in one place for Christmas, I love the feeling and it is even better than I thought it could be.
My nephew Alex loves to cook. I had decided before I left Utah that I wanted to have a cooking day with him. I wanted to think of something fun and different that I could make with him for his family. My friend and boss at work says that his girls love to make gnocchi. I thought that was fantastic idea (Gnocchi are potato dumplings).
The first thing I did when I got home was google "gnocchi boards" to see if any local stores had them in stock. I was in luck, the sur la table in Seattle by the pike place market had them. I asked my dad if he would not mind stopping in and picking one up on his way home from work. He said "send me a text to remind me." So I did and it is a good thing to because when he got to the store he had no idea how to pronounce the work gnocchi. If I had not sent him the text he would have been wondering he store for a while. He ended up showing the sales clerk the text and she knew right away what it was.
I gave Alex the gnocchi board Christmas morning and told him that I wanted to make it with him one night before I left. No one in my brothers family has had gnocchi before except for his wife so this would be a new experience for them all. I showed Alex how to multi task by making the sauce and a salad while the potatoes were cooking. We went through all the steps to make, I must say was nice and light gnocchi. It was a wonderful opportunity to be able to share my love of food with Alex and share the evening with my brother and his family with out all of the other nieces and nephews running around. Since I don't live up there I feel like I have not been able to be a part of their lives and get to know the as thy grow up. My brother has wonderful kids and I know he could not do it with out Carrie. I must say all of my siblings have done very well with their spouses and families.
Friday, November 20, 2009
My learning curve....
Starting in the month of September I, along with two of my friends embarked on a journey to learn to love our curves. Now you may be asking yourself- what is the best way to learn to love your curves? The answer my friends is to take a Belly Dancing Class.
Last summer at a singles activity we had a demonstration on how to Hula. My friend and I had so much fun learning that we decided we wanted to continue learning . I tried to find a class but my searches kept coming up empty. I did come across a belly dancing class offered by UVU in their community classes. I sent an email to my friends and with in the next few weeks we enrolled.
The first day of class was a CRAZY day for all of us. My friend Brooke is a school teacher she teaches first grade. My other friend Lyndall works with troubled teens and does home visits on Tuesday nights. As for me very rarely are Tuesdays busy or crazy for us at work but this week was the exception. I waked out the door at 5:15 and there was still some cleaning up to do. I told everyone at work that I had paid for the class and was not going to miss it. Brooke and I live in the same apartment complex and decided to carpool to American Fork. The class started at 6 and we were fighting rush hour traffic to get there. Needless to say we were all late to our first class.
Our teacher we awesome! Her dancer name or stage name is Halima and boy can she move. There were women of all ages, shapes and sizes in the class and we all clicked within a matter of minutes. We started right in with learning how to do figure eights. First front to back and then back to front. You learn to isolate muscles you didn't even know you had. It was just as much of a work out for your brain as it was for your muscles. We also found out on our first day that at the end of the class there would be a dance recital were we would have the opportunity to perform. Of course we were all excited about the performance that is personally one of the reason I took the class was to become more comfortable with myself and learn to be confident and sassy! As the weeks went buy I found it easy to learn the steps to our routine and the girls in the class said it was easy to follow me so they wanted me to be in the front. Usually being the tall one means I get put in the back, so this was a switch.
I was grateful for the family and friend that came and supported me. It was an unforgettable experience and now that it is on youtube everyone can see it. I plan on taking another class and learning even more. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA9cvXegMTU
Last summer at a singles activity we had a demonstration on how to Hula. My friend and I had so much fun learning that we decided we wanted to continue learning . I tried to find a class but my searches kept coming up empty. I did come across a belly dancing class offered by UVU in their community classes. I sent an email to my friends and with in the next few weeks we enrolled.
The first day of class was a CRAZY day for all of us. My friend Brooke is a school teacher she teaches first grade. My other friend Lyndall works with troubled teens and does home visits on Tuesday nights. As for me very rarely are Tuesdays busy or crazy for us at work but this week was the exception. I waked out the door at 5:15 and there was still some cleaning up to do. I told everyone at work that I had paid for the class and was not going to miss it. Brooke and I live in the same apartment complex and decided to carpool to American Fork. The class started at 6 and we were fighting rush hour traffic to get there. Needless to say we were all late to our first class.
Our teacher we awesome! Her dancer name or stage name is Halima and boy can she move. There were women of all ages, shapes and sizes in the class and we all clicked within a matter of minutes. We started right in with learning how to do figure eights. First front to back and then back to front. You learn to isolate muscles you didn't even know you had. It was just as much of a work out for your brain as it was for your muscles. We also found out on our first day that at the end of the class there would be a dance recital were we would have the opportunity to perform. Of course we were all excited about the performance that is personally one of the reason I took the class was to become more comfortable with myself and learn to be confident and sassy! As the weeks went buy I found it easy to learn the steps to our routine and the girls in the class said it was easy to follow me so they wanted me to be in the front. Usually being the tall one means I get put in the back, so this was a switch.
I was grateful for the family and friend that came and supported me. It was an unforgettable experience and now that it is on youtube everyone can see it. I plan on taking another class and learning even more. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA9cvXegMTU
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Autumn Colors
My favorite time of year is Autumn. I can't wait to get the camera and head up to the mountains to take in the fresh crisp air and the breath taking colors. I decided this year to take my backpack with a few things 
(water snacks sweatshirt, and camera) and do a little hiking since I had gotten off work a little early and it was one of the warmer fall days. Adam from work, who is a hard core cyclist, told me that the colors up at squaw peak were fantastic and that if you continued up the canyon you would eventually end up coming out of Hobble Creek Canyon in springville. I had driven up to squaw peak before and continued up to the rock canyon overlook but never continued, so I made my mind up that today was the day to go all the way. There were so may bea
utiful spots and I was not the only one taking pictures. Once you got off the paved road it became dry and dusty. My car looked like it belong in a car wash commercial because of all the dust. I started with my sunroof open but quickly closed it due to the dust growing on the dashboard. I am grateful for 4 wheel drive because there were a few parts that were so bumpy and dry that it gave me comfort and confidence to go it alone with out the fear of getting stuck. I ususally end up going after peak week but hit it just right this year. Two days after I went the first snow fell up at the higher elevations. I must say that Utah has had some stange season this year, but they did produce some magnificent landsc
apes. 
Friday, August 28, 2009
Risotto Madness
I am often asked, "what is your speciality?" To be honest I don't like that question. I like all food and don't necessarily focus on one thing, but when people ask me what I like to make I will always answer RISOTTO. It is delicious and you can do so much with it.
I personally like to cook for other people and not just myself. I had offered my friend Romeo a risotto cooking lesson when I finally got settled in to my new apartment. The time came and we set a date. I mentioned it to my friend Brooke and she started inviting more people who wanted to learn. When the day arrived we had a total of 12 people invited to learn how to make risotto. We were supposed to start at 6 but these things never start on time. I had gone all out and made flank steak, southwestern chicken breasts, chile verde sausages, home made sour dough bread and roasted veggies! Everything was ready to go at 6 but we finally started at 8 and started to eat around 9.
I took my camera out of the bed room because I wanted to take some pictures but I was too busy cooking. Ben picked up the camera and started shooting pictures for me. Brooke saw how much fun it was and decided they were going to have a contest to see who could take the best and coolest picture. In my opinion Ben won, but they both had fun in the process. It was a night full of good food, good friends, and lots of laughter!!!
Life on my own, again!!
Well it is official I am the lone Johnson in Utah. JayLynn and Jake are now in Washington and I am left alone. I have to admit that I miss the kids and talking with Jay at night when she gets home from work. She was staying with me while she finished out her 2 weeks at her job. It was the closest thing to a roommate that I am going to have for a while.
I am now living in Orem and I love it!!! I am closer to work and that means I can start riding my bike again, closer to the singles ward and all of my single friends. Life is GOOD!!! Even with Jay and Jake gone I still have a great support system. I live in the same complex as my friends Brooke and Amy. We spend quite a few nights out in the hot tub and the pool relaxing. We have been making all sorts of new friends that also live in the apartments. With school starting at UVU and BYU this week there have been a lot of new move in's! We met a very nice young man named Ben one night while soaking in the hot tub. He is a lot of fun and likes to cook so we invited him to a risotto party at my place. A few days later we met another nice young man named Kyle. He is going to UVU and was a swimmer in high school and was giving me all sorts of great swim workouts. I plan on using them to get in the best shape of my life.
Work is trying at times but because of the great friends I work with we all support each other to get through the day with smiles on our faces. Even thought we see each other all day long we still enjoy getting together and watching movies, playing games and of course eating. We had a nacho libre party a few weeks ago and I decided I would live the rest of my life happy and content if I never saw that movie again. It is one of those movies you love to quote but d0n't NEED to watch over and over. Adam is a big time cyclist and Marco is a runner so they both wear STRETCHY PANTS (said with a Spanish accent) that is the big joke right now. I realize that I was blessed to have Jay's family down here with me but that is was time for them to go and me to move on with my life. I have been equally blessed with the new family of friends that I have been given to uplift and support me in their absence. I only hope I can do for them what they do for me.
I am now living in Orem and I love it!!! I am closer to work and that means I can start riding my bike again, closer to the singles ward and all of my single friends. Life is GOOD!!! Even with Jay and Jake gone I still have a great support system. I live in the same complex as my friends Brooke and Amy. We spend quite a few nights out in the hot tub and the pool relaxing. We have been making all sorts of new friends that also live in the apartments. With school starting at UVU and BYU this week there have been a lot of new move in's! We met a very nice young man named Ben one night while soaking in the hot tub. He is a lot of fun and likes to cook so we invited him to a risotto party at my place. A few days later we met another nice young man named Kyle. He is going to UVU and was a swimmer in high school and was giving me all sorts of great swim workouts. I plan on using them to get in the best shape of my life.
Work is trying at times but because of the great friends I work with we all support each other to get through the day with smiles on our faces. Even thought we see each other all day long we still enjoy getting together and watching movies, playing games and of course eating. We had a nacho libre party a few weeks ago and I decided I would live the rest of my life happy and content if I never saw that movie again. It is one of those movies you love to quote but d0n't NEED to watch over and over. Adam is a big time cyclist and Marco is a runner so they both wear STRETCHY PANTS (said with a Spanish accent) that is the big joke right now. I realize that I was blessed to have Jay's family down here with me but that is was time for them to go and me to move on with my life. I have been equally blessed with the new family of friends that I have been given to uplift and support me in their absence. I only hope I can do for them what they do for me.
Friday, June 26, 2009
When Love Returns to a Broken Heart
After a person has been divorced it takes a while for the heart to heal enough to be ready for love again. I have often wondered how long this would take and when it would happen. I will say I knew it was going to have to be someone special to make my heart feel love again.
Before you get to excited and want to know who he is I need to say that the Lord is in control. He knows what we need, who we need and when we need it and if we do our part in following him and trying to line our life with his, then blessing will be poured out upon us. I am truly grateful for the Savior and the Atonement in my life. It may sound so easy to place your yolk upon him and let him bear the weight, but it is not. I now know that this can be done and that it is not easy but worth all the effort, tears and pain. Without all of those things we can not truly appreciate and savor the blessings, Joy and Love that follow.
My life is changing right now. Jay and Jake are moving back to Washington. I have been wanting to move out for a while but have been very comfortable and somewhat happy. I had been having a desire to start attending the singles ward, but struggled with leaving my calling in the young women's program in my family ward. I felt as if I was being selfish and letting the Lord down. After prayer and careful consideration I decided to talk to my bishop about going to a singles ward. I explained how I was feeling and what was going on at home and his reply was " if that is what you feel you need to do, you have my support."
I called my friend Brooke and found out which ward she attended and went to check it out. It felt so comfortable in her ward, like I had been attending there for a while. So many people who have had hard things happen to them just like me. Brothers and Sisters from all over the world, it was like a big singles melting pot. I felt like I was home, like I belonged there. Brooke introduced me to several people and friends in the ward, but there was one that stood out. His name is Denise and he is from Nigeria, Africa. Now the only black people I have ever had any contact with were in culinary school and they were lets say a little rough. Denise is different and I could tell instantly just by shaking his hand and introducing myself. I have gotten to know Denise very well over the past few weeks and it is still mind boggling to wrap my head around our relationship. Now don't go crazy and think by me using the word relationship that Denise and I are anything but friends. We are friends and only friends but, the connection and level of friendship we share is truly sent from the Lord. I believe it goes back to what I said earlier about the lord knowing what and WHO we need in our lives.
Denise and I have has similar experiences in our past marriages. If anyone has experienced what we have then they would know for themselves how it feels to live through something like that and come out alive but very altered. It messes with your emotions like you can not comprehend unless you have lived it. I believe that is one reason we have such a strong connection and understanding of each other. In the past three weeks we have spent more time together that I have spent with any of my other friends. When we talk it is so natural and easy. He makes me feel as though I am important, special and can share anything with him. A man that truly listens and responds. The first thing he says when he sees me is always a compliment of some kind and it is always heart felt and sincere. I am not self conscious around him because he places more worth on a persons inside than outside. He truly tries to live life by improving not only himself, but also anyone who he comes in contact with by leaving them a better than he found them. Denise is so intelligent, blunt and straight forward and has brought out a better me. He has helped me to open my heart again so that I know that it is ready for love again.
I am grateful for his friendship and the things we have been able to share with each other. The Lord knows what he is doing, all we have to do is have faith, hope and do the work and we will be blessed.
Before you get to excited and want to know who he is I need to say that the Lord is in control. He knows what we need, who we need and when we need it and if we do our part in following him and trying to line our life with his, then blessing will be poured out upon us. I am truly grateful for the Savior and the Atonement in my life. It may sound so easy to place your yolk upon him and let him bear the weight, but it is not. I now know that this can be done and that it is not easy but worth all the effort, tears and pain. Without all of those things we can not truly appreciate and savor the blessings, Joy and Love that follow.
My life is changing right now. Jay and Jake are moving back to Washington. I have been wanting to move out for a while but have been very comfortable and somewhat happy. I had been having a desire to start attending the singles ward, but struggled with leaving my calling in the young women's program in my family ward. I felt as if I was being selfish and letting the Lord down. After prayer and careful consideration I decided to talk to my bishop about going to a singles ward. I explained how I was feeling and what was going on at home and his reply was " if that is what you feel you need to do, you have my support."
I called my friend Brooke and found out which ward she attended and went to check it out. It felt so comfortable in her ward, like I had been attending there for a while. So many people who have had hard things happen to them just like me. Brothers and Sisters from all over the world, it was like a big singles melting pot. I felt like I was home, like I belonged there. Brooke introduced me to several people and friends in the ward, but there was one that stood out. His name is Denise and he is from Nigeria, Africa. Now the only black people I have ever had any contact with were in culinary school and they were lets say a little rough. Denise is different and I could tell instantly just by shaking his hand and introducing myself. I have gotten to know Denise very well over the past few weeks and it is still mind boggling to wrap my head around our relationship. Now don't go crazy and think by me using the word relationship that Denise and I are anything but friends. We are friends and only friends but, the connection and level of friendship we share is truly sent from the Lord. I believe it goes back to what I said earlier about the lord knowing what and WHO we need in our lives.
Denise and I have has similar experiences in our past marriages. If anyone has experienced what we have then they would know for themselves how it feels to live through something like that and come out alive but very altered. It messes with your emotions like you can not comprehend unless you have lived it. I believe that is one reason we have such a strong connection and understanding of each other. In the past three weeks we have spent more time together that I have spent with any of my other friends. When we talk it is so natural and easy. He makes me feel as though I am important, special and can share anything with him. A man that truly listens and responds. The first thing he says when he sees me is always a compliment of some kind and it is always heart felt and sincere. I am not self conscious around him because he places more worth on a persons inside than outside. He truly tries to live life by improving not only himself, but also anyone who he comes in contact with by leaving them a better than he found them. Denise is so intelligent, blunt and straight forward and has brought out a better me. He has helped me to open my heart again so that I know that it is ready for love again.
I am grateful for his friendship and the things we have been able to share with each other. The Lord knows what he is doing, all we have to do is have faith, hope and do the work and we will be blessed.
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