Friday 1/8/10

Today was much more comfortable than Wednesday. I did alot of hands on things and actually knew my way around the bakery. Charity asked me to help her with a salad cake. She shaped the cake and I sculpted the vegetables out of fondant. It was exciting to work with fondant for the first time. I've seen fondant on my favorite TV shows such as Cake Boss and Ace of Cakes, and have always been curious to use it. It turned out to be alot like playdoh, soft and easy to work with. It was an honor to be given a task that required trust in me to do it correctly.


What have you actively done to start off on the right note?
On the first meeting day with my mentor, I brought some homemade sugar cookies for her to try to demonstrate my passion for baking and my level of baking skills. I've also been professional appreciative and respectul to my mentors in the bakery. I am always available to help, and open to learn.

What have you actively done to create interesting opportunities for yourself?
All I can do is be available to help and open to learn. Everything that I learn from my mentors will be applied to my independant baking at home.

What have you actively done to advance the interests of your mentor and/or site?
I help out in the bakery saving my mentor time and energy. I ask alot of questions.

What can you do in the immediate future to improve yourself and your experience in the above areas?
I believe that I am on the right track and I've gone above and beyond. The next improvement is to continue to get to know everyone in the bakery and to continue to learn. I still haven't figured out what my project will be.

Wednesday 1/6/10

This morning I woke up and pulled out a sweat outfit from my closet. That was the most appropriate choice for the day, keeping in mind that my mentor requested that I wear something that I could get messy in and that would be comfortable to move around in. My internship was scheduled for 10 am, but I arrived at 9:35 am unintentionally. The day consisted of simple tasks such as wrapping some pumpkin loafs in plastic wrap, cleaning up, and making platters to present cakes on. Later on, Donna (my mentor), had me crack 128 eggs and mix together a batter for coconut bread. It smelled delicious.:)

So far, I have become aware of things that I need to improve in terms of my professionalism. It was pretty nerve racking being in an independant environment. I felt awkward at times because I was asking so many questions and making so many mistakes. I would like to find the balance between professional and tight by the end of this immersion. Hopefully I'll be more comfortable on Friday. Now that I know my way around I will feel more adapted.

Economy Questions

1)Being a service in the employment sector, how has the economy affected your buisness?
Sweet Cheeks Baking Company had not been significantly affected by the recession because coincidently, it was started just before the recession three years ago. The buisness progressed, and they were mainly focused on the success of their buisness as the recession is present.

2)Have you made any changes to adapt to the recession?
Same...the economy hasn't affected the company enough to push massive changes, especially since the buisness opened just one year before the recession was declared.