Back in Business!

ok folks!

Two years or so I started this blog because someone at a conference thought it was a good idea. Unfortunately it turned out to prove that I was miserable in my job, and that, at times, it was a pretty crummy work environment. I made very good friends at that place of work, and a few enemies too-all while working upwards of 80-hour work weeks on a lousy salary while gas prices and my property taxes soared. I felt other people should know about the kitchen I was working in, and how it looked physically, considering it is a historical hotel that has a 4 Diamond AAA rating that costs at least $100 per person per night to stay in. The cheap rooms have tattered bed spreads to say the least. I was once put up in a room after a long day of work where I had to leave the sink running because the pipes might freeze. This was an operating hotel room.

I have two last photos to post on this topic, because I just have to. The problem still exists today (yes I have gone back to fill in here and there on my adjusted pay - an hourly rate based on what my salary was- to help finish wedding cakes).

Let me say this also:

I had never in my life seen a cockroach until I worked in this kitchen. No big deal. But there were roaches around the kitchen at 10 am in full sunlight. It was gross. They lived under the ice cream cooler in the bakery, near the soda machines at the server station, and especially in the saucier area where all the soups and stocks are made for 5 restaurants. The problem was, it went on for over a year before it was treated. The resort has now fumigated the main kitchen 3 times that I know of.

That is why I stopped blogging. With all the facebook stuff going on, I was afraid people would actually READ my blog and I would get fired. Ya ya, freedom of speech and all that malarky - but listen. I gotta pay the mortgage. Lemme just say it was great to quit- I almost feel like gloating every time I visit, if I didn't feel so bad for all those folks still working there that are "stuck".

And now I am starting again. Another crappy place? Not for me... In the past year I've been cultivating that itch one has to scratch. My husband Jim and I have opened our own place. He's still working as a bartender at an awesome restaurant that has an awesome owner, awesome staff, and a bar manager that makes killer cocktails. And our marriage is surviving after many serious threats of it not.

We have fought, cried, thrown things, laughed and in the end it's been a good time. I'm still as broke as I was two years ago (probably broker on paper), but now I've got no one (well a lot less-there's always Jim ;)) to blame. The bakery has been open exactly 6 days. I'm having fun baking again.

Am I here now to brag, cop free advertising? Well, yah, but i'm also interested in sharing the adventure. Let's hope it all works and I can stop paying those shitty overdraft fees. Hopefully I'll be better about keeping in touch this time...

Cheers!

PS-

Upon scrolling through the old photos on my phone, I came up with one more nasty photo. Enjoy!