Life: Idiotropic

Today I went to a Belgian Bakery in Aachen with a friend and 18 other people to watch and learn how to make a "Lemon Raspberry Souffle." We were there for two hours listening, watching, and practicing. Each step of the cake was demonstrated and we saw it assembled. Because of the time constraints, we didn't actually bake this cake from start to finish, but we all got to play with chocolate on cold granite slates. I made two chocolate curls and a two-colored chocolate butterfly to put on this cake which I also decorated with fruit. I left with the recipe, my cake, and a hope to learn more.

The owner is a German architect who bought a bakery over 20 years ago to remodel and reinvent. Pairing up with a French speaking Belgian baker, they've created quite a successful business that now franchises in the area. Each of their cafes is themed after an artist. We met at the bakery itself where it is all made. Wow. I couldn't keep my eyes off the beautiful stainless steel counter tops, the rack of bake forms and the enormous whisk. The kitchen was absolutely beautiful and all the chefs were helpful and friendly even though I wasn't efficient in any of their languages, they did try English and I did try German and French. Still, with cooking, most of the learning is in watching and doing. So I watched, and then I played with chocolate.

The result was beautiful and delicious. The kids all enjoyed a piece when I got home and we have enough for breakfast tomorrow.

P.S. Before I went to the class, I stopped at an amazing makeup shop in Aachen owned by Malu Wilz, a friend of the friend I was with. She created this line and just won a German lifetime achievement award for it. Not only is this color and skin care line about beauty and health, but she has done amazing things for camouflage for different scares and birth defects. Beautiful products and from a great person. We went upstairs and enjoyed a coffee with one of her very friendly employees.