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02/19/2003 Entry: "Picture Weekend"

Work has been pas mal the past few days. Christmas rush is over, Valentine’s rush is over – there’s only Easter left, but that’s not for another month or so. I’ve been helping André with the viennoiseries – croissants, pains aux chocolats (croissant dough with chocolates), kugelhopfs (brioche with dried fruit immersed in melted butter, almond syrup and sugar – specialty of the Alsace region), cannelés, Millefeuille Praliné (puff pastry with praliné buttercream and crunchy chocolate layer) and other buttery delights. You won’t want to know how much butter goes into those things, but they’re ‘Oh so good!’. We only make about 15 kugelhopfs a day, so if you’re planning to visit the boutique and get some, come in the morning, around 11am! That’s when they just come out. Mmm.

I am feeling much better about my French conversation skills. We had a guest stagiare from Stephane Vandermeech’s patisserie in the 12th (famous for his Millefeuille and Galette des Rois). She worked with us for 2 days, and she was surprised that I’ve only been in France for 3 months. I could actually carry out a conversation with her and ask much better questions than just ‘Ça va?’, heh.

Finally got to try Le Café des Delices last Monday (I was the first customer for lunch -- I arrived at noon; the French usually lunch at 1pm). Since I work Saturdays, I get Mondays off now. Not bad, coz’ I get to try a few bistros that are only open M-F.
Some pictures I took this weekend…

Saturday – Got some cakes from Laurent Duchêne
Monday -- Had a wonderful lunch at Le Café des Delices	Then bought an egg tart at Maison Kayser next door
Then tried to walk off the calories in the Luxembourg Gardens