This I Believe....

I base my life credo around the principle phrase that every action has a reaction, meaning the actions and beliefs of one person positively or negatively affects themselves or the next person. I also place the golden rule under my credo as I have always treated people with respect and equality as that is how I wish to be treated. My father once told me, “Son, never burn any bridges as you never know whom you may run into in the future. The kid that you made fun of may turn out to be your coworker or better yet, your boss.”

            I have always kept my father’s knowledge and advice close to heart as I know he is much wiser and he has been through so much more than I have. I have been able to meet and maintain healthy relationships with quality people who have respected me and have helped me to excel in life. I feel like the world would be such a better place if more people followed the golden rule, or if they realized the consequences of their actions. From my personal experience in my short twenty-three years of life, I have developed into an extremely optimistic person by living my life with the concept that every action has a reaction.

Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing Kim Vanek, long time manager at Sullivan’s Steakhouse, about how her life and career goals are balanced and the values which she lives her life by. Kim addressed the importance of having pride in your work, life, and the relationships in between. Ms. Vanek said, “The day you do not take pride in your work is the day you need to quit your job and find a new profession.”

I asked Kim about the challenges and rewards of being a lifelong learner as a manager in the food service industry. Her main point was the importance of treating everyone you encounter with universal respect as well as addressing the importance of being able to motivate people, being open minded, while being an effective communicator and listener.

The topic of developing and maintaining relationships with those people associated with the restaurant industry came up. Kim noted that the restaurant business is a close knit family despite how large the industry actually is. She addressed my quotation from my father about not burning any bridges as this industry goes full circle. Maintaining positive relations with those in your industry will allow for one to network successfully while providing the opportunities for advancement and prosperity. In closing my interview with Kim Vanek, she told me to remember one thing. She said, “You may not be liked by everyone, but you must be respected all.”

"Credo." Merriam Webster Dictionary.com. Merriam Webster. Web. 23 Aug. 2011. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/>.

Kim Vanek, Manager, Sullivan’s Steakhouse. Interviewee. Performed on August 28, 2011 from 10:30 to 11:30 pm.

This I believe...

Here is my final project, I am having trouble getting both my recorded audio and my song to both play. I will seek help tomorrow in class.

Music, Images

Recently I went to Firstcom.com and browsed various types of music looking for a song that would match my essay. This was a long and difficult journey I was looking for songs by particular artists; C.C.R., Sublime, and Tom Petty. I was not able to locate such artists or similar songs. That is when I switched up my tactic. I started just playing random songs and I came across a song titled “Transistor Man” by Ambient Electronica. It is a sort of eerie song but relaxing as well. Since I am in culinary school I decided to use pictures of food I have created as my background. I am well aware that my essay does not even mention food, but I feel the background pictures represent what I have learned and am able to create. I have also attached a link to the song I have chosen.

http://www.firstcom.com/#/BROWSE/browsed-results.aspx?SelectedCDId=6834

IDEA

Objective number 10 stood out the most for me as I am always trying to improve my personal characteristics, strengths, and values. That is why I chose to enroll in college for a bachelor’s degree versus an associate’s degree. The bachelor degree provides one with more information and the tools needed to develop yourself into more than just a student or professional. Obtaining a bachelor’s degree has helped me to educate myself whether the information learned is school, work, or related to how people act. I understand why the school makes us take these surveys as they provide a way to evaluate the classrooms and what we are learning. At times it just feels like I am paying the school to tell them what or how they can do something better.

This I believe...

I read an article title, “All Men Are My Brothers” written by James A. Michener. The author speaks about meeting people in various parts of the world and how he is still able to meet people and connect with them on a daily basis. He shared his feelings how now matter how different someone is or how different they life their lives that he can still make a common connection and was able to bond with those people. I am able to relate to his writing and feelings as I work in the food service industry. This industry is full of diverse people from various ethnicities, religions, and backgrounds. I have met people from all across the nation and have even met people from different countries. No matter how different these people are or may seem to me, I am able to relate to them and have a connection with them. No matter where the person is from I will always have a common base, the desire to work in a restaurant whether our desires are to cook food or to serve people. This was a truly inspiring reading as it also connected with my writing for Assignment C. I talked about my personal credo and how important it is to treat people fairly and with respect and James talks about meeting and accepting new people for who they are. It all boils down to treating your neighbor in a way that you would prefer.

http://thisibelieve.org/essay/16820/

Interview questions

      This past week I was thinking about our GenEd Capstone class and I recall a conversation about the importance of having a professional looking personal resume. Owning this resume will allow one to look very professional and hopefully stand out as a job candidate. Which leads me to my next thought, what happens when a person gets an approval for a new job or position? They usually are asked to participate in an interview. I remember always being nervous for job interviews and I had wondered what types of questions the employer would ask me. To prepare for any future job interview I used two sources, a personal interview with an accountant who hires and fires employees and an online source to determine what types of questions and employer may legally as a candidate.

Questions one may ask the interviewee about physical limitations include:

Are you able to perform the tasks necessary to complete this position?

Questions one may ask the interviewee about age include:

Are you over 18? Are you able to meet the minimal age requirements as set by the state for this job position?

Questions one may ask the interviewee about arrest records and convictions include:

Have you ever been convicted of the following crime?

Questions one may not ask the interviewee about physical limitations include:

How strong are you?

             Are you handicapped in any way?

 Do you have any disabilities?

Questions one may not ask the interviewee about age include:

What is your age?

How old are you?

When did you graduate?

Questions one may not ask the interviewee about arrest records and convictions include:

When was the last time you were arrested?

How many times have you been arrested?

Interview Success Plan. http://www.job-interview.net/Guide/SPstep4.htm Accessed, August 15, 2011.

Sitzman/CFS Inc., Patricia A. "Interviewing Questions." Personal interview. Aug.-Sept. 2011.

Fish Features

            This week I was brainstorming about what I was going to blog about when one day it came to me. I decided to write about how the general education classes I have taken have helped to form me into a young aspiring chef. I decided to write about how and what I have learned at my time at AI and how this information has been translated into food.

            I am a sous chef at Sullivan’s Steakhouse and everyday that I work I have to create and present a fish feature which is different every time. I take into account which fish we have the most of on hand, look at what fresh produce, herbs, or starches we have, then I take into consideration things like is it hot outside, or is it muggy, or is it a dark gloomy day, and I use those aspects and ingredients to put together a fish feature which is sold for $32 a plate.

           

            For example, here we have a broiled king salmon, served with garlic roasted roma tomatoes, lemon dill buerre blanc, and a fresh chive infused oil. I received inspiration from this dish from my world civilization class. The class was in an open discussion and the topic of seafood rose. Most of the class appreciated the flavors of dill and lemon going with fish. Therefore I took their flavor likings and used classic techniques to create this fish feature.

           Here we have a broiled Hawaiian Mako Shark served with grilled pineapple and an orange avocado salsa. I was sitting in my General Education Capstone class and one of my classmates reminded me that Shark Week was approaching. I instantly took this thought, received inspiration, and ran with it. Next thing you know I am at work staring at forty pound filet of Mako Shark with the thought of what am I going to do with this? I look for inspiration to pour into my cooking and life wherever I can get it. I have come to appreciate the way AI makes its students crave to want to inspire other people and become truly artistic themselves.