Sometimes being able to cook/bake is a curse. Gone are the days when you can go to a get together and swing by and pick up something from the store on your way there(even though that is what everyone else did). People expect a little more from you and you can often see the disappointment in their faces when you bring just cookies or something that is easy to make. When I was fresh out of pastry schooling I seemed to be double cursed as everyone and their mother(mine included) seemed to be volunteering my services to everyone...for free. Oh sure they would pay for the ingredients but it was always a friend or a friend of the family or such and the guilt would pile on whenever I thought of charging(I have since gotten over that :)). The number one thing people would volunteer me for were swan cream puffs. You know what I am talking about, those lovely little birds that get put out at fancy buffets. Having a baby shower, bridal shower, small wedding...no problem....Peabody is your girl. … [Read more...]