The month of October was very busy. I started work experience in the production kitchen of two of my favorite London restaurants, did some freelance event work planning a friends company awards dinner and we had our first round of practical exams in pastry school. Plus, fun Fall social activities including an NFL game at Wembley!! Even though the results of the game weren’t what I’d hoped, I love watching the NFL live!
Atlanta Falcons v Detroit Lions at Wembley
October Orange Inspirations
1. SUSHISAMBA / Duck & Waffle Work Experience
Initially, I tried to find another color-based inspiration for the month of October, but when I got my staff ID card for work experience at SUSHISAMBA, I couldn’t fight orange anymore. My friend is the Head Pastry Chef at SUSHISAMBA and Duck & Waffle (although he’s leaving this week), and graciously hired me on to do some work experience in the production kitchen. I was sooo nervous at first since I’ve never worked in a restaurant kitchen, but everyone is very nice, and I’ve learned a lot in the past month. It’s very different than the classroom (I’m super slow and working every week to try and be faster!), but it’s nice to be able to put the skills and theories I’m learning in school into practice in the industry. I’ve not worked alongside him exclusively, but Chan has been an incredible teacher, simultaneously incorporating the science behind the baking with teaching me the ways of an industry kitchen. Very grateful to him and his team for taking me on.
Me & Chan after my first day of work experience!
2. Pumpkin-Pecan Muffins
Once I decided the inspiration for October would be orange, I searched through my recipe file for pumpkin recipes. I’ve been wanting to make this Southern Living Pecan-Pumpkin Bread for a while and it seemed like the perfect time. Finding canned pumpkin in London did make this a BIT more of a challenge. It nearly took the whole month, but I finally found some at a Waitrose south of me in Balham.
I decided to make these as muffins vs. bread and they turned out really nicely (mainly because I had muffin tins and no loaf pans, ha). I adjusted the cooking time from an hour to 20-25 minutes for the muffins. Plus I got to wear my new pumpkin apron my mom sent over in my care package for the occasion. 🙂
3. Spicy Pumpkin Chili
When I was talking with my brother about the orange theme for the month and pumpkin recipes, he told me that he and Sara (my SIL), had just tried a delicious Spicy Pumpkin Chili. Sara said that adding a pinch of sugar to her bowl was a nice addition. Now that I have extra cans of pumpkin and the weather is cold enough for chili, I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Paul’s Spicy Pumpkin Chili
4. Ginger Blood Orange Cocktail
In my favorite collaboration series, my friend Spencer whipped up another tasty cocktail for me. Orange themed for October. It’s delicious! 🙂
