Brandee's European Adventure - Part 12

Brandee graduates!!  After reading Brandee's story for this post, it made me realize that I'm gonna really miss getting these updates from Bran about her once-in-a-lifetime adventure in Europe.  I am so glad that she gave me this opportunity to be a part of the excitement and allowed me to share it with you my faithful readers.

60’s Hippie party, Dinner at Le Bourbon and Graduation day.



Since it was our last week of school, Paul the owner of the bowling alley set up a 60’s hippie party with the help of Chef Damian, and Chef Manu. It was nice to see everyone really get into it. We all dressed up in our best hippie flower child, tye dye looking, peace and love outfits. Paul picked all of us up at the chateau, and went to the bowling alley. We all had a good time and knew it was our final weekend together. Everyone was dancing and having a good time. I wished they played 60's music that night but they got the era mixed up. This French DJ kept playing 70's music. I kept saying wrong era,(era de mauvais) wrong era (era de mauvais).

That same week we all decided to take chef Jocelyn to a nice dinner at Le Bourbon to thank him for being such a wonderful teacher to us all. We invited the whole class, but just a handful came to eat. The dinner was tres tres Bon (very very good), I had the Prefixed menu of 6 courses and wine. Melissa, Adeline, Noam, Chef and I sat together at one table. We all enjoyed our meal, and the company.

Graduation Day:


Friday the day of graduation we all got ready and met outside for are finally graduation picture with all the chefs, students, director, and the M.O.F. in charge. We took two pictures, one with our hats on, and one throwing it in the air. We proceeded inside where they presented us with our certificate of achievement and a lunch that was prepared by all of us. There was a little surprise by the chefs. Each chef presented a gift to one student in the class who they believed was outstanding, a team leader, and an all around great pastry student.


Since there where three classes of different levels, the chef presented to one person in each class an amazing French pastry book by Chef Alain Ducasse called “Grand Livre de Cuisine” desserts and patisserie.


In the beginner class chef Damian presented Melissa Poh (Australia) with the first book, then from the Perfecting class chef Nicholas presented Sheldon (India), and then in our class the Advancing class Chef Jocelyn presented ME with the book, I got up and was so shocked, as I bowed and then shook his hand he told me congratulation you are a talented pastry student and will go far. He said he wrote something in my book, and gave me his business card and said "if I ever need anything just call him."


And of course I broke down and started to cry. I got so emotional it was hard to take a picture. I felt overwhelmed and happy that all my hard work had paid off. I never thought pastry was my strong point, but to see that validated by a chef made me appreciate patisserie even more. It was a nice ceremony, and I had a chance to say my goodbyes while I took pictures. That evening I packed all my bags, and left with Giada to spend the weekend in Turino, Italy with her and her family.


I cannot believe how fast my time here in Yssingeaux has been. All of us are sad to have to leave, and most of us will probably not see each other for a long time. I don’t have the luxury of getting in my car and driving to the next country. I wish I could drive to Athens, Greece to see Niki, or take a train to Tel a Viv to visit Noam, or the chunnel to London and visit Jill, go to Florence or Torino, Italy to see Santa or Giada. Marcel in Norway, David in Malta. Take a plane to Australia to visit Adeline, Melissa, and Luke. Even the five Brazillians in Brazil, Ruth, Manoela, Paulo, Tias, and Victor. I can always Skype Kate from Belarus, or Facebook Nora, and Michelle from Miami, or Sheldon from India.


I can always pick up the phone and call Karin in Texas, or Caroline in Califorina. Roz or Astrid in Canada, but it’s never going to be the same.


It is so hard leaving friends you spend time with everyday for two months, laughing with, eating with, drinking with, went on trips with. We all became one big dramatic happy family. I got along with everyone, even when there was conflict among us.


I will miss the times we got to know each other, and how some of us just naturally clicked as friends. I love nights going out bowling and other nights just walking to town for dinner. I got to know the town, where everything was and also met the FAP class that has been there for 6 month. We all hung out a lot because the town was so small and nothing really to do. I will miss the Chefs that taught me everything I learned. Chef Jocelyn is amazing, and Chef Damian was a party guy. Chef Manu didn’t speak any English, but was fun to hang out with and very organized in the kitchen. Even Chef Nicolas who always seemed pretty arrogant and acted like he never knew your name. I am especially going to miss Carmen. She took care of us at lunch and I would always help her out when it was time to clean up. She would teach me a little French while I taught her a little English.


I will miss them all !


Victor and Paulo (Brazil) and Joanna (France)


Nora (Miami)



Last day together


Everyone congratulating us


Jill (Canada) lives in London


Astrid (Canada) and Mel (Australia)


Paulo (Brazil)


Karin (Mexico) and Caroline (California)


Joanna (France)


Ruth (Brazil)


My BFF Giada (Italy) and Noam (Tel a Viv)


I'm gonna miss Carmen


Nikki (Greece), Marcel (Norway), Luke (Australia) and Giada (Italy)


Tias (Brazil) and Freshka (Iran)


Kate, Karin, Niki and I


Sheldon, Me and Melissa


Me receiving the gift and crying


Manoela (Brazil)


Edna and Joanna


Me and Adeline


Outside for our photo


Strawberry macaron with mousse and glace


Cheese platter


Beouf with Froi Gras


Salmon Salad


Chevre Custard


Dinner at Le Bon Bourbon


All of us at the bowling alley


The Hipster


Flower Children


Hippie 60's party at the bowling alley