I’m SO excited for this weekend. I have the opportunity to attend one of the most prestigious baking conferences in the world, Europain 2018. This baking conferences happens every two years and I am blessed that I don’t have to travel very far because it’s in a suburb of Paris just 45 minutes away from me. Do you know what else is super awesome? I managed to get into all 4 days of the conference completely free. How did I get so lucky? It wasn’t easy but I’ll tell you. 30 Hours in a Baking and Cake Decorating playground Europain 2018 is from February 3-6 from 10am -5:30pm every day. That totals up to approximately 30 hours of anything and everything related to baking and cake decorating. This is the first time I’m am going to a conference of this size (featuring over 400 exhibitors) and it’s exciting I’ll be able to connect with people from around the world based on our shared passion for baking and cake decorating. Seminars about ancient wheat and chocolate tastings from around the world? Sign me up. Ok, so what is this conference all about? Like what am I going to do for 30 hours? Have no fear! I shall tell you. Every day is jam packed with seminars, roundtables, expert speakers, contests, interviews, demonstrations and over 400 exhibitors. So even though 30 hours seems like a lot, it’s honestly really not. Over the next couple days I’m going to spend my time studying the show schedule to make sure I don’t miss ANYTHING. By the end of the weekend, I am totally going to turn into an extremely well risen baking nerd (pun intended). Here are a few events happening this weekend that I’m super pumped for:
Honestly, just writing this I simply cannot contain my excitement! I’m seriously considering camping outside the convention center like people on Black Friday. Alas, I have managed to prevent myself from doing such crazy things but I don’t know how much longer I can wait! Thank God, it’s only a few days away. A chance to hear from and see top pastry chefs compete in contests As I briefly mentioned above there will be plenty of fantastic speakers talking about super nerdy topics like ancient and modern wheat. I think for the general public that probably sounds like the most boring thing on the planet but for me (and I’m sure other bakers) it’s super fascinating. As I’m writing this I’m getting giddy just thinking about all these amazing bakers and pastry chefs who will be speaking on their areas of expertise. I’m honestly so grateful I’m going to be at this conference. And no, I will not apologize about my excitement. For some perspective, think about one of the coolest topics you know. Now imagine getting to go to a conference about that topic where you can learn more about it, meet other people who are obsessed with it, and just live and breathe that for an entire weekend. Yeah amazing. I know. So now you can understand how I feel. Anyway, bake to the topic at hand. Whoops I mean back. Or do I? ;) In addition to all of these amazing speakers there will also be live international contests happening. Teams from around the world will compete head to head in the Bakery Masters and Mondial Des Arts Sucrés (International Confectionary Art) contests. When I say all over the world I really mean it. Here’s a list of countries that are competing this year in the Mondial Des Arts Sucrés contest:
Let me know if you’d like to hear more about the contests! The Orlando Cake Fair Before I tell you how I managed to get a free pass into this amazing conference I have to tell you a little story about the International Cake Expo – Cake Fair that happened this past October in Orlando, FL. Per usual, I was perusing the Internet looking for cake related events I could attend and stumbled on the International Cake Expo – Cake Fair. It was only a few months away from the time I found it, which meant I might actually be able to go with proper planning. The more I researched and read about the Cake Fair the more excited I got. There were cake competitions (that I could enter!), classes, demonstrations, exhibitors, famous speakers who are my idols including Buddy Valestro aka Cake Boss and Duff Goldman and even a fashion sugar art show! Yes. Models wearing sugar art inspired dresses. I think my heart rate is 140 bpm just thinking about it again. But here comes the sad part, after calculating and planning like mad there was absolutely no way I could afford attending the conference since I had to save all my money for pastry school in Paris. I was heartbroken; I honestly mean it. My heart ached at the thought that I would be missing out on so many chances to learn new techniques and possibly meet my idols. I thought surely if I found it on time I was a sign that I should go but as the days went by the miracle I was hoping to happen (maybe finding a ton of money on the ground or you know one day it could rain $100 bills) didn’t happen. The weekend of the cake show passed terribly because all I could think about was not being able to go and everything I was missing out on. But let me tell you everything happens for a reason. So how did I get into Europain 2018 for free? One day while reading my usual baking magazine subscription on a lunch break I flipped to an advertisement for Europain 2018. My eyes frantically scanned the page. Europe’s baking convention. February 3-6. PARIS. Use code below for FREE entry. I couldn’t believe my eyes. NO WAY. I ran to my computer hopeful (but not too much so I wouldn’t get disappointed) and punched in the code. It lead me to a registration confirmation page. “Congratulations Patricia, You’re registered for Europain 2018” I cried. So here I am today, sitting in my apartment in Paris preparing for probably one of the most educational, inspiring and epic weekends of my entire pastry career. God is good guys. And yes, everything happens for a reason. Because if I would have gone to the Orlando cake show I probably wouldn’t of kept looking for more. So as you look into your new year breathe deeply and don’t worry if everything doesn’t go the way you expect it. Because Mr. upstairs knows what he’s doing. Keep your head up high because GREAT things are coming your way! :)
UPDATE: Read all about Europain in my new post What It’s Like To Be At Europain 2018
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I moved to France without knowing how to speak French. Yup...I’m kind of crazy! Also, because of said move across the ocean, I am on a VERY tight budget. So you could imagine I’m trying to learn French as fast as possible without spending any money. But how? Find out below. 1. Listening to people's conversations (AKA Eavesdropping) OK, so I know you are generally not supposed to eavesdrop because it’s impolite but if I can barely understand what they are talking about does that count? HAH. Also, when I’m squished in between 2 people on the metro it would be silly of me not to try to test my French listening skills! So far I can only understand common simple phrases but one day I’m sure I’ll be able to tell who isn’t working hard enough at work or whose husband forgot to pick up the baguette for breakfast…again! 2. Post-its EVERYWHERE Don’t laugh. Just kidding. You totally can. I was while I was running around my apartment slapping post its everywhere. Everything in my apartment is now named in French with a bright neon yellow post-it. It’s silly but kind of funny because every time I inevitably see them, I say them out loud or to myself. So far it’s working quite well! I’ve had the strong urge to use these vocab reminders around the city but I don’t think Parisains will be as excited about it as I will. 3. Watching TV in French with French Subtitles Every day I try to watch a different channel to mix up the variety but in reality I’m looking for a kids show that will teach me French. Kind of like a French Dora! That would be hilarious! I was surprised that they play A LOT of American TV shows. In the 3 weeks that I’ve been here I’ve seen the following shows on French TV: · The Simpsons (PSA – French Marge's voice makes this unbearable to watch) · Dr. House (A favorite! I was so excited I probably woke up all my neighbors.) · Grey’s Anatomy · Pawn Stars · The Big Bang Theory (Another favorite!) · Friends (Yet another favorite!) 4. Reading library books…for babies If you haven’t laughed at me by yet you probably will now. I mean, at least chuckle. Imagine an adult at the library browsing through a selection of books for babies, selects a few and proceeds to plop down on a comfy child sized chair and read. Every thing is at least 3 times smaller than me and everyone looks at me confused, even the kids! Oh well, one day I will work up to elementary level and then hopefully to high school level books. These books pictured were all really fun to read! 5. Translating advertisements (instead of ignoring them) You know those annoying waste of paper advertisements you get in your mailbox? Yeah, I keep those. NAY, hoard them. And then I study each one and try to decipher the advertisements. Sometimes when I’m really into figuring out what it says I stop, look up and, as if coming back to reality, realize one thing; I’m studying an AD. HAHAH. Learning French to at least intermediate fluency is one of my goals this year so I’m willing to do anything and everything to achieve that. To my multi language speakers: Tips would be greatly appreciated! Have you ever done anything creative to learn a foreign language? I’d love to hear about it!
Earlier this year I found out about Ladurée, a famous bakery and tea house founded in 1862 that invented the gorgeous colorful French macarons that are sweetening up lives around the world! So of course as soon as I got to Paris I ran to the original Ladurée at Rue Royale to validate myself as a pastry student and try their famous macarons – I was not disappointed. Of course I bought a box of 12 to try almost all the flavors they had that day! Here’s 5 reasons why they’re so amazing: 1. Flavors are out of this world! Not that lemon and chocolate caramel aren’t flavors you can get almost anywhere but man they sure did make sure these bite sized beauties tasted out of this world. Sometimes it’s the simple things that are the hardest things to accomplish and each flavor was great! They have 10 classic flavors: Chocolate, Rose, Orange Blossom, Liquorice, Pistachio, Salted Caramel, Coffee, Lemon, Raspberry and Vanilla. Each season they release a new flavor, I’ve tried Passion Fruit. It’s delicious. 2. Locations around the globe As of 2018 there are 90 locations around the world! In France alone Ladurée has 30 locations. If you’re in the U.S. you can find Ladurée in New York, Los Angeles, Washington, and Miami. Unfortunately no Chicago location yet but hey maybe they’re just waiting for the right person to open a location there… like me! ;) 3. Macarons aren’t the only star desserts– Croissant aux noix and pain au pistachio Besides the fact that the macrons are amazing they also have other awesome desserts! Pain au pistachio (think croissant with pistachio filling) and croissant aux noix (croissant with walnut filling and sweet glaze) were my two favorites! Where can you go wrong with a croissant much less a sweet croissant!? 4. Beautiful picture perfect packaging Can we please take a second to appreciate how adorable this packaging is? I felt like I was getting a present. Now that I think about it I kind of was! There are a variety of colors for their branded boxes which you get to choose when purchasing your macarons! Your sweets are kept fresh inside the box with a piece of parchment sealed with an elegant Ladurée sticker and then placed into a branded classic mint colored gift bag. Oh and they give you a little info sheet with the different flavors (just in case you forget) and a brief history! 5. Rich History As I mentioned earlier, Ladurée has been around for quite a while, 156 years to be exact. When Louis Ernest Ladurée opened his bakery doors in 1862 I really doubt he could imagine what the future would hold for his bakery. Less than 10 years after they opened, a fire destroyed the bakery and placed Ladurée on its new path to success with a gorgeously decorated interior by famous painter Jules Chéret. In 1930, Pierre Desfontaines, Ladurée’s grandson took two macarons and sandwiched them with ganache in the middle creating the macaron we know today. Pure genius. He also opened a tearoom (known in France as a Salon de thé) where women could gather together in a place other than their house and enjoy tea. Back then this was revolutionary because women weren’t allowed in cafés so the Salon de thé at Ladurée became popular quickly. Read more about their story here. So there you have it! Five reasons why Ladurée really is a big deal. Trust me, when it comes to famous things I’m hyper critical and Ladurée didn’t disappoint! I guess I’m going to have to make it my personal mission to make sure all the other locations are as consistent as the original…
Does anyone want to help me eat a ton of macarons? |
AuthorHey there! I'm Patricia a recent college grad and business owner who had the crazy idea of picking up my life and moving to Paris to chase my dreams! Follow me on my journey to becoming a Pastry Chef. 😁👩🏻🍳 Archives
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