Work Experience TAKE 1!

Firstly I spent a week in the Arnott's cafe

 'Homemade by Clodagh McKenna'

The first day I worked in the cold kitchen making orange juice, chopping vegetables, making sandwiches and salads.It was so exciting to be in a busy kitchen and see how everything needs to be prepared in bulk and in a short time frame.

Day two was one of my favourites! I worked with the head baker Alberto for the day. Nearly every recipe is multiplied by at least 5 so there is always cake batter ready to go! We made carrot carrot, scones, red velvet cupcakes, chocolate cupcakes, lemon cupcakes and so many more. Alberto and I also decorated the cakes. I really enjoyed this and had such a sense of achievement when a cake I had baked and decorated was bought. 

The bakery was very organised and there was such a variety of ingredients to bake with. The huge fridges in the kitchens were really scary. When you went inside them there was always those few moments thinking is the door going to close behind me? I'm going to freeze to death! Luckily, that never happened.

Day three I was working in the main kitchen preparing all the roasties, I love Clodagh's roasties! I've been making them all the time at home since work.

I also prepared about 70 turnips and cauliflower, most people would find that boring I guess but I loved it. I think I could cut and chop vegetables for the rest of my years.

On day four we worked doing promotion. We handed out leaflets and had to help to bring people in to the cafe with the offer of a free Americano with every sandwich bought. We helped bring in business so we were happy. I also learnt to use to coffee machine and served customers in the Food Market. I really enjoyed the social aspects of interacting with the public in the Food Market as they were all very interested in the different foods and cakes sold here.
I really
Coming to work Friday morning (day five) I really was so sad! I could not believe it was my last day. I was so comfortable in the workplace I felt that I could really take part in any areas of the work that I enjoyed. I spent my day helping the baker as this was my favourite place to spend time. The Head Baker Alberto told us all about his life from Venezuela! I also baked peanut butter cookies with chocolate chips, partly my own recipe, that are now being baked everyday in Clodagh's cafe!
Before I left Clodagh, Head Chef Ben and Manager Micheal gave me a beautiful present of a red poka-dot apron and a Homemade by Clodagh cookery book. Also I was given goodies to bring home such as the some of the freshly baked cookies I had baked earlier that day.
Everybody from the cafe signed my card which I really liked as I do not want to forget such an amazing experience!

I was so sad to leave such an enjoyable week behind but I count myself lucky for having an amazing experience. I was even given a part time job to work with Clodagh in her cookery school in The Lyons Estate. I worked there last Satruday and it was a great oppertunity! I can not wait to work there again. :)

Hockey *love*

Well done to the Junior Hockey team who were so close to the Semi-Final yesterday. Sadly, after a draw leading to extra time leading to penalties the other team got the goal!
The St. Wolstans Junior team really did us proud though. It was unbelievable play by centre back Emma who's in Transition Year and an amazing goals by Chanice and Alannah both in 3rd year. The Junior goalie Alannah O'S played a blinder, letting almost nothing past that white line.
Well done Juniors! Good luck with your match Thursday, hopefully we'll be out supporting again.

Next for Senior hockey, my beloved team who are in the Leinster Semi-Final this Wednesday! Wow, that's tomorrow! We are all very excited for the match but already I can tell nerves are running high. Hopefully we'll pull together as a team and go for gold. With Captain Ali leading the team anything is possible.

I shall blog the result of the match, wish us luck!