mrjeffmccarthy.com

Archives Under  "chef" (RSS)

Still Searching.

foodflavors.png

So I had two more interviews this week, Ten 01 and Genoa. Both of these restaurants are looking for a pastry dude.  Meeting with the chef at Ten 01, and seeing the kitchen and dining room, man I want that job.  Chef Jack Yoss runs a kitchen the way I like.  Everyone that works for him wants to be there, wants to bust their ass for him.  During the whole interview, he kept jumping back on the line and helping his crew knock out plates during a busy lunch service.  He’s looking for a guy to implement a pastry program, and also help with whatever savory work there might be. Pantry plating, shucking oysters, banquets, etc.  Perfect!!  The pastry station is really awesome.  The very expensive chocolate tempering machine, the proximity of the burners, ovens, and friers (all very close,) tons of freezer and cooler space, and a window that looks out on tenth avenue!!!  I’m doing a tasting next week, but Jack invited me down to work on Sunday afternoon, they’re breaking down a whole pig to make sausage!!  My interview at Genoa was a lot different.  They were closed that day and the place was very quiet.  I met with the chef, owner and wine director.  They seemed very interseted in my command of classic technique, and my ability to maintain the time honored traditions of Genoa restaurant.  After seeing the restaurant and kitchen, I don’t think this job is the right fit for me.  The interview was a good experience, it really helped me contrast and compare and prioritize what I want from an employer.  I mean,  if I’m going to spend  60+ hours a week in a restaurant, everythings got to be just right.  The perfect balance of buisness, personal, and environmental components (or -living/career/creative/ pastry/passion/kithcen/restaurant/people.)


There’s a New Pastry Jeff at Carlyle.

carlyle-pastry-chef.jpg

So I took the job at Carlyle.  The self application of the title “Chef” for me is still a little tough. I’ve always referred to myself as a “cook” because I think the Chef title is thrown around a bit too readily these days.  Thanks to Food on TV everybody and his immersion circulating cousin is calling themselves one.  When I call someone “Chef” there’s a lot of respect that comes with it. I hope that my work garners that respect from others, especially my peers in the kitchen.  It is definitely time in my career, however, to challenge myself and step up to the role.  It’s exciting starting in a new place and even more exciting to be creating new desserts.  My tasting went extremely well, and I think that after working out some of the kinks, some of those items will end up on the menu.   I’ve done two big parties already in my first week, and I’m already bustin’ out some cool desserts.  I’m hoping to have the new menu up by the end of this week!!