June 30th part 2

Had a great night... Went down to the Eiffel Tower to have dinner and walk around. Had Escargot and braised Lamb shanks, greatness!!! Then went to get some wine, got two bottles of Bordeaux for $10! I think that was my first smart purchase of the trip yet.

Went to the lawn area to chill and enjoy my wine. Met two French chicks, enjoyed my vino, and thank God made the last train home!!!

Great day:-)

June 30th

Finally!!!!!! Landed a stagé :-). Went back to our hotel we will be at next week and the concierge called his friend back and said yes! It was pretty funny, he said his friend wants to learn how to make BBQ sauce, lol!!! I told him I was from Texas, and I could certainly do that... He also thinks what im doing is "very cool!" I start Wednesday morning and just really happy that I will be able to work a little in France.

Went for a café after that, and Stephanie Gunnerson will be happy, I felt like a celeb. These two Japanese girls asked if they could get a pic with me, lol, made my day... They told me I was "very handsome." Hahahahaha


Then went to the Louvre... Walked around a bit, got a few pics. More Café of course....

Now back to charge the phone and chill for a bit...

Headed back into city tonight to chill by the Eiffel Tower (Paris tower, as Blake says, lol!). I was told this is the thing to do at night, maybe I can meet some people...

Life is good!


Random....

Gets dark really late here... The sunset pick was taken last night at 10:15 pm!

My new Japanese girlfriend...

Me at the Louvre

Garland? I thought that was in Texas

Maybe Stephen Colbert lives here?!?

June 29th part 2

Still working at it. Got a few more "not possible" answers but.... Went to our hotel we will be stayin at next week, and the concierge told me he will call a friend of his that owns a small family owned restaurant nearby! Small but classic French cuisine. Hopefully this works out, mom was right again... Maybe I should listen to her more often:-). Went walking after that, got a few pics... See y'all tomorrow

June 29th

Made to new hotel... Very nice Courtyard, but looks like bad part of town, oh well.

Went downtown to my two spots and both said no :-(. Sounds like to stage in this country now, you must have a document from your school? I guess this is still done here, but mainly for students. I explained that I just want to help out for a few days, but the chefs will not allow it unless I have this document?!?
Basically what the one cool chef told me was, they are part of a restaurant group. He said no one in Paris will, but if I found a smaller restaurant, that is not part of a group, I might have more luck... I'm not giving up yet!

So I went down to the Ritz to see if I would have any luck there... Well they close in 1 week for renovation, will not open back up for 2 years! No luck there.

Michael, from work, has contacted his chef friend from Japan (staged in France for 5 years) to see of he can contact someone to help out. He sent email yesterday saying he will do why he can ASAP, so fingers are crossed that one of his old contacts will be able to help.

Also, I explained what I was doing to the hotel desk yesterday, and the lady (Cecelia, my new best friend if she can find me a job) there said she might be able to help me out. She has my resume so hopefully I will hear back from her.

Kind of discouraged, not gonna lie... But I'm going to keep trying. Maybe I'll have more luck around here since I am so far outside the city. We shall see...

Only two pics today so far...Holler!

Hmmmmmm, donuts!

The Ritz, Paris

June 28th part 4

Dinner tonight was awesome!

Duo of Foie gras and terrine Maison

Beef Carpaccio with Frissee and lemon

Café for dessert of course!

Angie, I know I shouldn't, but can't resist... Every night so far, I've ordered three courses, and after dinner, I have to cancel dessert and just have coffee. Who ever said the French serve small portions has not been to Maison Laffitte district of Paris... I'm full, ready for some football!!!! Germany vs. Italy

Goodnight...

June 28th part 3

So my awesome sister just told me how to upload previously taken pics so here are a few... Be back tomorrow with more and hopefully a job!

The Grande Arch

An awesome beer I had last night

Cool signs

The produce sold in the subway... Gross

Some statue I should prob know what is but don't... Looked cool though

Cool seafood spot

From the train leavin the airport

And one of my favorite meals yet, smoked salmon carpaccio with greens

June 28th part 2

Came to the Champs-Élysées for a bit this afternoon. Walked around and got some pics.. Holy expensive part of town batman. So maybe Paris is just expensive! Gonna hang down here today and see my friend Jennifer tonight. Sitting at Cafe havin lunch, people watching.... I think Millie an Terry would like that

June 28th

So went back to my two spots today, hoping to start working, and both chefs have to contact a director??? I don't know... One sounds good, one gave me the "not possible" look. They both told me to come back tomorrow, so I'm headed back to the hotel to change. One bartender gave me a free café (coffee) while I waited and told me "I've worked in restaurants 12 years, and I've never had someone come in and want to work for free! You start tomorrow... Lol!". I told him to put in the good word for me with the chef, but he said that he has to contact someone. Fingers are crossed!

Need to print out more resumes so I'm better prepared if these two spots don't work out tomorrow. This is definitely harder than I thought it would be, but no one said it would be easy. I mean, who wouldn't want free help? Keepin my head up, taking in as much as I can, and just tryin to stay positive. At least I have a hook up in Spain!

Think I'll go chill for the afternoon, maybe go get into some trouble tonight!

The French should seriously invest in some A/C, geeeez. I swear 80 here feels like 100 back home! Feel like im back in North Carolina! But it did start to rain on way back from the train station, felt amazing. Kinda glad I forgot my umbrella at the hotel...

Also, broke down and bought a coke today... 3.5 euros?!? That's like 5 bucks. It was good, but I think I'll stick with water and coffee.

Oh yeah, Gluckman.... I've got some friends coming in tonight!!!! Hahahahahahahaha (work joke)

June 27th

Still day 2....

Went down to "Les Halles" area of Paris today to look for restaurants. Figured since Anthony Bourdain named his New York Restaurant this, it would be a good place to start. Well, I was worried at first. Kept gettin "not possible" in their snooty little French accent, but after awhile I got a few chefs that would talk to me. I have two lined up for tomorrow, so early to bed tonight. Gotta be back at 9am.

Found a cool greenbelt today by my place, think I'll hit that up tomorrow if things don't work out downtown...

Tried to have dinner at another café nearby in the Mansions Laffitte area called L'Avenue. Such bad service, for the first time, I left! Hahahaha. The host sat me on the patio and I must look American (havent seen one person with blonde hair so) because four tables got drinks before me... Went to the pub for a beer, and to watch Spain vs. Portugal. Think I'll eat at my hotel tonight...

Day 2

Well I made it to the new spot, it's way outside the city, but I like the area much better... Actually feel like I'm in France now. Pretty sure I was in the ghetto last night, lol.

Just had an amazing lunch... Beef tartar, frites, and red wine! Oh and coffee of course, its so good! I accidently deleted the title, so I lost my pics, but I will figure this blog thing out! Promise

Headed into town to look for a place to stage, holler!

Random....

There are Sushi restaurants everywhere!?! None of them are busy, which kinda scares me, but just didn't expect that...

Parking is hilarious here. You can pretty much park in the middle of the road. People drive over curbs, and the people on scooters don't have to look at red lights apparently. Crazy!

And the music... I've heard nothing but American tunes here. Kings, Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Doors. Did not expect that either.

Day 2

Couldnt sleep last night. Which is weird because i didn't really sleep on the plane so I'm sure i will crash hard tonight. Breakfast was nice... I love how they have croissants and crepes everywhere! And the coffee is awesome... Everytime I order one they bring me an espresso, love it.

Headed to new hotel for the next two nights, it's way outside the city... Let's see if I can find this one:-)

First day in Paris

Well, had a pretty crazy day....

First, I made it on the right train, made it to the hotel, and I booked my room for yesterday!!!! FML
So after I payed for last nights room, I hopped in a cab(50 euros! Ouch) to my new hotel. Prob the nicest Courtyard I've ever stayed at though, and they gave me free wi fi and breakfast!

Next was bookin hostels for the next 2 weeks... Well they are all booked!!!! Got my hotel discount though, so it looks like I will be in a hotel most of my trip at least, just get to move every two days so I can get the cheap rates. It is amazing how expensive Paris hotels are. The Ritz is $1600 a night for their cheapest to put it in perspective. Good thing I work for them, I'm getting really nice Marriott hotels for $50 a night!

Random thought of the day...
Subway smells like death, and they sell produce down there, lol! Geez

Now, since I have to move to the other side of the city tomorrow, I'm going out! Drinking a pint right now at some pub, lovin life!

I will post more pics tomorrow, just figured out I can't use previously taken ones. So I will try to take more throughout the day on here and upload at night when I get back to hotel.

Great first day... Kinda!

Tomorrow I start the staging (begging to work for free) adventure, wish me luck!

Made it!

Well I made it to Paris!!!! Enjoying another drink and lunch at my hotel, about to start scouting restaurants in the area and look for a hostel to shack up at...

Lunch is seared Codfish with sautéed vegetables and flat beans...

Headin to Paris

Well, I'm checked in, havin a drink at the Admirals Club (thx Dad) and ready to go! Next stop is Paris, France! Still can't believe it...

the journey starts here...

i'm a young professional chef from dallas, texas about to take a trip of lifetime.  i'm taking a leave of absence from the Fearing's kitchen to travel thru europe and cook along the way.  hope you will follow my adventure here...  i'll be posting stories and pictures along the way.

june 25 the adventure begins...