Kusina Maria

Today, I received an SMS regarding my first day of culinary classes at the Center for Asian Culinary Studies (CACS) Davao. I have enrolled for their Certificate Program for Basic Cooking and Baking Skills, and we begin the weekly classes this Saturday. I have been reminded to be on time and wear the appropriate attire: black pants, white top, and no slip closed black shoes.

We have to be there 15 minutes before classes start because our uniforms, kits, and manuals will be distributed. I have seen the partial list of our class, and I am afraid I do not know anybody.

But I am definitely very excited to start learning more about cooking and baking. I am even more excited because Day 1 is going to be an “Introduction to Pastries” with Chef Agnes Borromeo. I super looove desserts and pastries but I am not so strong in baking as I slacked off in my laboratory work in both high school and college. Translated to baking… I suck at accurate measurements and following strict step-by-step procedures. Plus I’m clumsy. Nonetheless, I want to have that discipline required in baking, and I am excited. Excited! Excited! Excited!

I am also looking forward to learning more about cooking and baking in the coming weeks that I am not afraid to sacrifice all my Saturdays for five months. And yes, I will try to be disciplined enough not to stay up late on Friday nights. Career kung career, right?

I am also super excited to be learning more under Chef Jun-jun de Guzman, under whom I took a two-day course on Bread Making. I will also be taking some classes under the Chef Boo-boo Maramba and Chef Toto Erfe.

At the end of the course, me and my classmates will be preparing and hosting a Legacy Dinner, in which we will exhibit the skills and artistry we have learned during our classes.

EXCITED! I know I have overused the word, but it’s exactly what I am feeling right now. Hope I enjoy this as much as I expect to. Join me through this five month journey…