Wednesday, 21 October 2009
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Why I Won't Eat My Own Pastries
I love pastries. I love to bake and make it look pretty. Here's the catch, though: I’ve never eaten my own pastries.
You're probably asking "Why not, eh?" Well, when I first started training at Le Cordon Bleu Institute, I knew that I wanted to be a patisserié chef, so I applied into the university’s baking program and now I'm a junior in college. When I first started, I had to listen to lectures for a couple of months and take notes on what was expected of me.
After a year, I had absorbed a sense of “right and wrong” towards the food I cooked, and that was to not indulge myself too much pride into what I had created. Yes, I do believe that all the pastries I make will in some way be delightful, but that’s all.
A lot of people, especially my family, praise my talent for the art and technique of crème filled concoctions and such, but also don’t understand why I chose not to eat it. I explain my reasoning, but they still say, "I think you’re just afraid of how good it will be...”
That’s just my point. It sounds awkward to think that one day I’ll make an éclair, taste it and praise it past the point of no return, but that’s exactly what I want to keep under control. Gloating is one of my pet peeves. I won’t go my entire life not tasting my own food; I just haven’t made the choice to eat it yet.
I don’t think it’s anything horrible and it certainly won’t phase how I look at pies or cakes or custards. I can understand why it would be weird to others as to why I don’t eat my own pastries... All I can say is it’s just my morals and self preferences.
Are you ever hesitant to eat the foods you make?
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About the Author
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- From: ThePublicDemandsFoodz
- Name: Emily♥
- About Me: "OM NOM NOMMM!" is my favorite quote. Why? Cause everyone says it! Yes, I love food. No, I am not fat (unfortunately). I've always had a passion for creating [and eating] food, especially french cuisine. French technique with food is probably one of the best of the bestess of anything..... Plus I like the way it looks when it's put on display :)
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Comments (17)
Umm.. dont' you have to taste it to see if it's good or not?
My friend made me cookies once that looked really good, but... they ended up being salty and icky... >____>;;;
I eat my food . . . But I just like food. I just don't say aloud whether it's good or not.
I do eat my own baked goods, but if it's pretty, I need to have somebody else make the first cut. Otherwise, I just can't bring myself to do it.
I agree with Snapeful. Yes, pride does come before fall but as a good pastry chef, you must know what tantalizes the tastebuds of your audience as well as what is a sure hit with you. Maybe try renowned pastries by other people first, especially of pastry chefs that you admire, if possible. That way, you know what it tastes like when made by other people, and you can taste yours and judge it based on that.
I'll taste my own foods to the extent that I'll see if it tastes right, but normally, am unable to finish all of it. What Mom cooks, however? Gone in a second!
I don't eat what I bake either. I think it's because I get enough of all that yummy sensory stimuli while baking, and I find it much more enjoyable to watch others (hopefully) enjoy the food.
I have to eat what I cook; otherwise I'd die of hunger...
It's good that you don't gloat about your creations, because when you're at the top and think that you've just made a masterpiece and it sucks, you can always blame it on your not tasting itPeople don't realize this, but...
The dish I post on CHOW, the dish that's in the photos...
I don't eat it.
The reason is, I need to make sure I have "the shot" before I touch it. I make two portions, one is the "non-styled" portion that I eat for QA. The one that's in the actual shot, I almost never eat. It usually ends up on a paper plate covered with aluminum foil; and I take it and give it to one of my homeless friends in my community. I'd rather feed someone who's hungry than feed myself.
To me, cooking for myself is just sustenance. But for someone who thinks the world has forgotten them, having someone deliver them a meal and sit with them for a while and talk, is worth more than money can buy.
@chow - your reason is very different; it's kind of admirable. not sure what to make of the avoidance based on gloating/pride though.
im always hesitant cause i dont want the food i make to taste horrible, especially when everyone expects it to be good since i love cooking and baking
I love cookinga nd most of the time it tastes good, I cant really go wrong if your stick to the recipe
@chow - i agree with artbyv, you're still trying your food. i don't know how in the world one can be a chef without constantly tasting.
if it looks really good, i'll be too tempted to eat it. but even if it looks bad, i'll still eat it anyway hehe.
@zoedark@xanga - Exactly, QA (Quality Assurance) is very important -- even the top chefs still do QA with what they produce; they don't assume they're good enough to produce without quality assurance checks as they go.
@ArtByV@xanga - Nod... I know what you mean. Thank you.
@chow - exactly. plus like artbv said, it's one thing not to eat your own food cause you're sharing with the homeless and another before you think it's the 'moral' thing to do.
Interesting post! I do make things I don't eat, but I have allergies that my family doesn't, such as cow's milk, wheat, and pork. Also, I have to bake things for others that they will eat. Not everyone finds the substitutes I may eat to be as delightful as I do.
I taste my food whever I bake, but I never really like it. So its not a pleasant experience, but I have to incase its disgusting. Everyone else loves my baking but I don't like to eat it. Its the actual cooking I enjoy.
I eat what I cook...
but whatever works for you.