Remember Where You Got Engaged?

I do!

Culinary Institute of America - Day 1

Today was my first day of school at the Culinary Institute of America-Greystone. The wedding is over, the honeymoon is done, the real world is here......................kinda.
Here is the 17-person Section #6 A.O.S Degree program Class of 2010. We are all anxiously awaiting our buffet family style lunch prepared by the 91 other chefs-in-training. This isn't your OK Corral buffet lunch either. Menu items included Beef Steak from Milat Farms with tomatillo salsa, spicy collard greens, butter whipped horseradish mashed potatoes with country style gravy, double-fried chicken, roasted tomato and cauliflower salad, hanger steak in red wine marinade..........just to name a few. Oh yeah, and the dessert buffet with the assorted chocolate truffles , multiple cakes, and bakery delicatessens.........and we had breakfast there too. I'll be quiet now.
After first day of school.
Here's the hardware. From top to bottom, 3 1/2" inch pairing , 6" boning ,9" serrated bread knife, 10" slicing , 8" Chef's , 7" fillet, 5 1/2" carving fork, 10" diamond sharpening steel.
To experience the Winespectator at Greystone Restaurant before I officially enrolled and had to start working there, Kristen and I went on our first non-honeymoon date the night before and had dinner and dessert. DESSERT HOLY COW! We got talked into getting the chocolate souffle which feeds 4-6 and costs the same (didn't think that one through). It was 10 times better than it looks. I am now a full-time chef in training, more to come.......................

Honeymoon, Kauai, Are you Kidding Me!

So Kristen and I took off from San Francisco to enjoy a week on the beautiful North Shore of Kauai, Hawaii. We were totally blown away by the top floor patio view from our condo. Are you kidding me! I almost didn't want to come home from France, how could I come home from this!
Our first day, we took off for Hideaway Beach, a super secret secluded and hard to get to beach directly below our condo. Check out the walk, or should I say hike, or should I say climb...................but the end result was well worth it.
Once again, what a honeymoon. Can you believe our sunset view every evening? Why would we even want to leave the condo when natures beauty is right out side the door.
Our last evening in Hawaii was spent cooking in (fresh sushi from Hanalei Dolphin fish market), a little Mumm Sparkling wine, and another beautiful sunset. I never liked fairy tales as a kid, but I pretty much think that I am married to Cinderella and living in a fantasy world.

The two love-bird honeymooner's took in a little bit of Kauai's finest beverage...........c'mon its not all about the wine with me. Kauai Coffee Company makes some good brew. A nice last taste of Kauai before heading back home to our other new world out in Calistoga, California. The CIA starts next week. Look for some life updates then................

Married Life Begins!

I couldn't get any pics of the bride getting ready for the big day, but I did capture the groom as he prepared to accept the hand of his best friend for marriage. Notice the Napa-esque Bed & Breakfast grandma themed room of the Hillview Country Inn B&B. Sweet. Well, my grandma did stay in that room so maybe the decor was appropriate.
Here comes the bride. FLOORED!!!! COULDN'T BELIEVE HOW BEAUTIFUL KRISTEN WAS!!!! The scenery around her only complimented her beauty. Dear God, what have I done to deserve this incredible woman. Jerry, you can let go now.................................................
Whew, she said yes! Once again, notice the beauty of my new wife, or should I say Mrs. Scott Walnofer. Kristen Walnofer sounds as good as we look!
Even nephew Maddox got in on the festivities. He performed admirably as he made it half way down the aisle before making a reverse path back to the safety of his daddy. Is he doing the hula dance..............we aren't to the honeymoon in Kauai, Hawaii just yet Maddox. We still have a dinner to attend to.
What a journey! The two of us survived a 4-month internship in Michigan separation, two-years of graduate school, a 5-month study abroad in France separation, a 3500 mile Uhaul road trip across America, and a destination wedding that just happened to be at our new home. I can't wait to build our new life together with you Kristen Walnofer, but let's go relax in Kauai, Hawaii for a week first.............................................

Let's Move to California and Get Married!

Life has been hectic, crazy, and fun this past 2 weeks. Our Uhaul travels began with a straight north shot up to my cousin Brent's wedding in Lincoln, Nebraska. Before the wedding, the Walnofer's threw Kristen and I a nice little shower. My first one since I missed all the other's while I was in France. Kristen let me open all the presents and low and behold, the last one was this beautiful, new ESPRESSO MACHINE!!!!! I had been waiting our entire engagement for this little guy and finally it came. A 15 bar pressure Breville espresso machine. Merci beaucoup Walnofer family!
Here is the lucky groom Brent. We wouldn't have missed him and Melissa's wedding for anything. We were so happy that we could celebrate with them and the Kletchka and Price family put on one heck of a show. A word of advice for all soon-to-be married couples: Go to a wedding the week before yours, because it totally gets you in the wedding mindset!
Before our wedding though, we had to get there.........from Lincoln, Nebraska pulling our life in a trailer. Here is a nice shot of the Utah dessert. Trust me, it was prettier than the plains of west Nebraska and Wyoming that we had traveled through the day before.
Here we are at the Bonneville Salt Flats outside Salt Lake City, Utah. I actually wrote a speech about these salt flats and the land speed record that was broken here several times over the past 50 years. I wrote the speech in Mrs. Yarberry's 7th grade Communications class and we actually stopped on accident at this rest stop that overlooked the actual race course where they officially time the land speed record. Thanks for the A+ and thanks Sports Illustrated for Kids for letting me plagiarize before I even knew what that was.
California or Bust!!!! Finally crossed the Cali line at about 5:00pm on Monday after driving through Reno, Nevada. In only 3 more hours, we will be at our new home in Calistoga, California..................oh yeah, and getting married 5 days later. We better hurry and get unpacked before the parents arrive on Thursday.