tippingvelvet

I live in Bergen County, but work in Morrris, so I can't get there before closing in the evening either. Is Picnic closed on Saturday?? If so, maybe I'll just have to take a vacation day and have Breakfast AND lunch. I can'twait to check it out, everthing looks and sounds incredible!!!

Looking for a consistantly good BYO in Bergen, Essex or Passiac, Hudson with entrees/specials typically priced between $15 - $20. I have a few favorites of my own Il Cafone in Lyndhurst and Gelone's in North Arlington. Anyone have any favorites.

I'm looking for a great muffin recipe using only whole wheat flour (not a combo of whole wheat and all purpose). I've tried several recipes but haven't quite found one that I'm in love with. They all tend to be too dry and dense. Does anyone have a recipe they would like to share?

Understandably it's more difficult to peel and dice a butternut squash, (which is what my soup recipe calls for). But can I just cut the squash in half lengthwise, rub with melted butter or EVOO and bake cut side down (or do I bake cut side up??) until soft and scoop out the flesh. Do I cover with tin foil?? 350 degrees?? Is there a trick to peeling?? I'd like to do what will yield the best flavor. Thanks.

Brioche - When you said "Find a good bakery/restaurant in your area and BEG to help in the kitchen." What exactly did you mean, can you please elaborate. Do I keep my helping to baking related or do I wash dishes if they want?? Do I do this for free or request a salary with my begging??

Thanks all for taking the time to consider my plight and opening my eyes. I had no idea pastry people were so under paid (in my humble opinion). I wish I could lobby to someone so you could all get immediate and well deserved increases!! I just don't understand why at the end of the night, the coat check (with tips) is going to get more money than the Pastry Chef. How did that happen??? Unfortunately, once you're accustomed to making a certain salary (even if you're no longer thrilled with the work) it's very difficult to go backwards (salary wise). If I had someone or something (inheritance, lottery winnings, a 2nd job) to supplement the lower salary I wouldn't hesitate to take the plunge and pursue what I love. But I can't. I will however take some classes, maybe the Master Baking one at the New School in NYC to improve my skills and continue to bake for my friends and family. I'll also pursue working as an apprentice or for free at a restaurant or bakery that'll take me.

I'm sorry I appear delusional, but apparently I am. I was not going to compare "decent" with a corporate salary (including benefits, vacation, etc.) but I was hoping"decent" in the pastry business to be around $20/per hour (are benefits commonplace?). Am I out of the ballpark in the NY/NJ Metro area???? Please, tell me if I'm crazy. Realizing I'd have to work myself up from the bottom, my question remains what are the chances of making a "decent" salary and how long would it take to get into that salary range - 2 yrs, 5 yrs., 10 years??? ( I'm thinking I'd have to supplement my expenes with savings.) Is every pastry person destined to be poor (if not of celebrity status?)

Tan319, yes I would like to live off my earnings from baking. However, there lies the problem.....if I quit my decent paying, full time job, I won't be able to afford my mortgage/bills. I saw a job on craigslist for pastry chef [experience/training required] at a restaurant on Chelsea Piers it paid $11.00/hr. Directly below it was an add for a Coat Check - same restaurant, it paid $10.00 per hour. where's the justice? In all seriousness, how long does a pastry chef remain at minimum wage and is there a jump at some point to decent wages????? (Assuming this person is hard-working, dedicated and talented.)

I was assigned soup for Thanksgiving. Does anyone have a "great" recipe or a better suggestion, I'm open. Needs to serve 10-12.

I've been in the coporate world for 20 years and would like to switch to a culinary career and do what I love, which is bake/cook. The problem is I have no related formal experience or schooling......(and I would need to keep my full-time job while I obtain either). I live in Northern NJ and have found two part-time training options: A Certificate Program in Baking Proficiency (Hudson County Community School, Jersey City, NJ) - 6 - two credit courses focusing on Baking I to IV and Food Service Sanitation and Storeroom Purchasing. Master Class in Baking - (The New School - NYC) - 15 nights of 4 hour sessions starting with the fundamental of pastry, students also learn wide variety of skills and techniques, etc. The Baking Proficiency program will take me 3 semesters to finish (that's taking 2 courses a semester). The Master Class in Baking is an intensive 3 consecutive weeks. I've also been looking for an apprentice type position in a restaurant or bakery, but the qualifications always ask for either previous experience or schooling. Can anyone advise me if I'm moving in the right direction? Should I be doing something else that I haven't thought of???? Is schooling more important than experience? How do I get the experience without the schooling?? How do I decide between the only two training options I've found?? Are they both off base?? Any words of wisdom will be appreciated.....thanks.

Does anyone know of any place in the NYC/NJ area I could go to pastry school part-time. I have a full-time (9-5) job that I need to keep, but I would really like to pursue this and possibly change careers in the future.

Rosie, Are these Bergen or Passaic County BYO's???????

I'm looking for the place you love and continue to go back to because it's dpendable and the food is consistant and always great.

I like Il Cafone in Lyndhurst, Xavier's in W. Paterson, Gelone's in Lyndhurst. What does everyone like? I'm looking to try some new ones. Thanks.

No, the one in manhattan on Ninth, between 49th and 50th. (I'm part of a group, someone else made the reservations.)

I have reservations for dinner this weekend. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks,

Anyone have any tried and true recipes for chicken pot pie?? I've never made one, but with the weather being so cold I've craving some comfort food. Thanks.

To be honest, the only reason I was avoiding Englewood was because we dont feel like eating Asian inspired dishes tonight and that's all I know in Englewood (oh yeah and Bennies). Anywhere else you can suggest in Englewood that is moderately priced? Thanks,

Looking for a restaurant in the Dumont area. Anybody know of anything new, exciting or worthwhile??? This area seems to be void of anything worth mentioning (I am excluding of course the Englewood area, which would include such notables a Saigon Republic, Wild Ginger and America, etc). Not fussy about type of cuisine or price range, just good food. Thanks for the help.

ISO lesbian/gay bars in the Northern NJ area. I have friends coming in from out of state and I don't know of any lesbian bars or have any suggestions for them. They are not intersted in venturing into NYC. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Having some people over tomorrow night for cocktails and appetizers. I like to know if anyone would like to share their favorite appetizer recipes? I'm in a rut with my appetizer recipes. Thanks.

Need some breakfast ideas for the dairy intolerant - no cheese or eggs. Tired of the bagels, toast, and muffins. Any suggestions???

It's set we are definitely going to Saigon Republic. Thank you so much. (Do I have to wait until Sat. at 4 p.m. to make reservations or can I make them now??) Can anyone suggest what the best wine is to pair with this food??? ( I have a hard time pairing this type of food and wine. ) Thanks!!!!!!

Thank you Rosie. I think a moderate priced restaurant would be better. Are the any you could suggest? How about a nice place for a drink first?

Would like to dine Sat. evening in Englewood with 2 friends, but I'm not familiar with the restaurants in that area. I thought we could stop somewhere for a drink and then maybe go somewhere else and have dinner. Any recommendations would be appreciated. (It's a birthday celebration, so we'd like to have fun!) Thanks.