On the road.

Recently I drove from North Carolina to South Carolina. As you would suspect it was a drive punctuated by amazing sights you would only see in the Southern States.

Unfortunately I didn’t get to capture everything I saw, but here are a few.

my catering job.

I have had the pleasure of catering some extremely scenic places this summer with my catering job – as well as having some fun tasks. Like these:

A big pile of ribs.

Got to grill a huge amount of pork ribs on a giant grill outside – I would say a great way to spend a sunny blue-skied day. Far from the chatter of the kitchen, babying some gorgeous pieces of meat.

 

Preserves for days.

The other day I was given ingredients and told to make preserves – this is what I came up with: Apricot Ginger Jam, Spicy Apricot Carrot Gelee (it was supposed to be another take on Carrot Marmalade – which I adore – but the pectin went crazy and it firmed up to the consistency of a Turkish Delight), Pear Balsamic Preserves (with port and grapes), Caponata. It was, by far, the funnest day at work I had in a long time.

 

The view from my oven.

This is at Mohai on Lake Union, where we literally set up feet from the water. It is glorious to say the least. We get to watch the sea planes land and listen to the clanging of the rope against the masts of the sailboats in the breeze – by far the most relaxing “kitchen” we work in.

 

Out the window at a job on Pier 9 – disregard the weird UFOs, they are just reflections.

My walk to Pier 9.

We worked a job on Pier 9 – which is not by itself pretty, but the walk there had a stunning view and I got to sneak a little peak at the lake during a lull in service.

 

Grilling Grapes.

 

Making liquid nitrogen ice cream.

Smoking marshmallows.

 

 

 

Out the door of the Virginia 5.

Worked a wedding on this lovely boat, the Virginia 5.

The view from my oven on the Virginia 5.

The Virginia 5 is a historic steam boat that lives on Lake Union near Mohai – the kitchen, sorry “the galley,” is a horrible tiny sweat box – but the ship is beautiful and it went out on the water for the ceremony. I could keep my eye on the outside through that door above and occasionally got to steal away a minute or two to step outside.

+++++

All in all my conclusion is that Seattle is full of scenic and amazingly stunning things in the summer time. I am so so very glad that my job takes me out of the shop kitchen to experience some of the glory.