Taste of Vail: Mountain Top Picnic

Last week, I got to participate in the Taste of Vail. Chef Michele chose Emily, Megan, and I to run Rimini's booth at the Mountain Top Picnic. Several Vail restaurants set up booths and serve food samples to the skiers. 

Rimini usually serves gelato, but this year Michele decided to do a "Hot Chocolate Bar". 

We served three different kinds of hot chocolate-Rimini's classic hot chocolate, dark chocolate orange, and white chocolate cinnamon. The white chocolate cinnamon was my favorite. It was so good! 

Skiers were allowed to choose between vanilla whipped cream and chocolate whipped cream. We also supplied several topping options like toffee bits, brownie bites, homemade marshmallows, and chocolate candies. 

Hot Chocolate Bar

Three different hot chocolates

topping options

the homemade marshmallows tasted amazing!

the many wine tables setting up

our booth

other restaurants setting up

getting ready

Once all the skiers showed up, I was too busy to snap a picture of the massive crowd. There were so many people. I had a blast and the hot chocolate was very popular! 

skiers lay their skies up against the snow wall. 

look at all those skis! 

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bakery shift.

I have finally had to the chance to work in the bakery! 

Although the hours (7 PM to 3 AM) are hard, I have really enjoyed it. I've baked all kinds of great smelling breads! (LOVE the smell of fresh bread.)

Products ready to be delivered:

sheet pans of focaccia bread. (rosemary, parmesan, and pepper)

baguettes, demi baguettes, and multi-grain boules. 

par-baked ciabatta loaves and pillows. 

pastries. (muffins, brownies, biscotti, danishes, cookies, trailmix bars, croissants, and pan au chocolates.) 

hoagie rolls, kaiser rolls, and crackers. bagged and ready to go! 

olive boules, parm and garlic boules, and semolina boules. 

We usually make things like sliders, dinner rolls, and burger buns too. We had a pretty light night last night. I really enjoy it though! 

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a walk through my day

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fun stuff

This is what I get to use to prep gelato and sorbetto. 

fun fun

=)

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So, what is the big deal about gelato?

Rimini Cafe at Beaver Creek

We often get a lot of questions about the gelato and sorbettos served here at Rimini. The most popular question is "What is the difference between gelato and ice cream?" 

A lot of people make the mistake of thinking there really is no difference. Well, trust me, there is!

#1 difference-gelato is lower in calories! (It is funny how many women will change their mind about getting some once they here this!) 

Because gelato is made with milk instead of cream, it is lower in fat, automatically lowering the calories.

#2 difference-the flavor is more intense. 

Since the gelato is spun (in the machine) at a slower speed than ice cream, it makes the flavor way more intense. 

Sorbetto is simply made of sugar, water, and fruit. But, it is unbelievable how good it is.  You would be surprised how many kids pick the fruit sorbettos over the gelatos. 

One of the perks of this job-I get to sample while I work. =) YUM. 

photo source

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How perfect is the Lord?!

It amazes me how the Lord sets everything up. As I was working yesterday, I couldn't help but realize how perfect this externship is for me. Let me explain....

• I LOVE coffee and I have always been interested in all the different drinks there are. 

Working front of the house in the cafe has allowed me to learn how to make all the different coffee drinks. Not only am I going to get to practice my skills as a pastry chef, I also am expanding my education! I am learning more than my school could teach me! 

• I like working with breads and baked goods better than cakes and other things of that nature. 

Because Rimini has its own bakery, once I am scheduled to work in the bakery, I will be working with what I love most! I will be baking all sorts of breads, cookies, pastries, and other goodies to supply the two Rimini cafes. 

• I am considering opening my own little bakery one day. 

Working with such a small company enables me to learn all about small business management. Mike, the night manager, is teaching me about keeping the books and other things like that while we close up at nights. 

Isn't the Lord amazing?! He knew just what I needed! 

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Colorado Day 2.

Not only did I learn to make Rimini's famous gelato and sorbetto today, I also learned that I was walking to the wrong bus stop. Yesterday, I walked to a bus stop that was pretty far from my town home. Other intern told me this morning that there was another bus stop about a 2 minute walk from the house!

Today was hectic. Very busy, but very fun! I only worked four hours (training), but I feel worn out. Tomorrow, I start a full shift at the Vail location. =D Excited!

Rimini Cafe at Beaver Creek

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Colorado Day 1.

Well, I have officially started my externship. 

Colorado is gorgeous. I love it here! 

I am staying in a town home with 7 other interns. Rimini is a cafe/bakery. There are two cafe locations and one bakery. I trained at the Vail cafe today for three hours. Tomorrow, I will train at the Beaver Creek cafe. After that, I have the  night shift at the Vail location Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Trying to figure out the bus route was the most challenging thing about today. I've never had to ride a bus before! 

Once I got to Rimini, Meredith, the assistant chef, showed me the ropes. I made coffees, crepes, and sandwiches. Tomorrow I will learn more about their famous gelato. I can't wait! I had so much fun today. I will post pictures once I take a couple of the cafes. 

The Lord has blessed me with this awesome externship! 

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