School Update

I have an appointment next Monday to meet with JF, my admissions counselor, and have my uniform fitted. I talked to him yesterday and he was delightfully inquisitive about our trip to Italy. He told me that I've been scheduled for the 7 am to 12 pm class slot (the other shifts are 12:30 to 5:30 pm and 6 to 11 pm). I plan to take BART into the City most days, and do some sort of part time work, so I was really hoping for the morning schedule. David's not so thrilled about an earlier alarm. Everyone will just have to deal. We'll be up early, like farmers. (Or bakers.)

Several people have asked about the entrance requirements at CCA, especially after my boss sent out an email congratulating me for being "accepted for admission to the prestigious California Culinary Academy." Frankly, you need a high school diploma and the financial wherewithal to pay the outrageous tuition. There's no knife skills test, no multiple choice questions about the difference between braising and sauteing. There is a 10 minute quiz, along the lines of an IQ test, and I imagine it's useful in determining if a candidate's English comprehension is adequate. And I was interviewed. The counselors are probably prepared to weed out food-obsessed serial killers, or kids who are only there because their mother made them apply. ("Cooking school or the Marine Corps -- you decide!")

JF advised me to bring a roll-aboard-sized suitcase for my first day, November 13 -- to transport all my supplies! Megan asked if I had to take my supply list and go "back to school" shopping, but no, they're "included". (Note: not "free".)