The Good Rabbi's Blog

Well, it's been a hell of a year, and there has been a whole lot of work going on. In my last project of my culinary school career, I have been chosen by my team to be, what else, the computer guy. The main assignment right now is to create a catering company, and cater an event that has been prechosen by that crazy Frenchman that calls himself my instructor.

So these past few weeks have been that time of year where the brainless masses decide that they're meant to be singers, and line up to audition for the American Idol competition. I think that this is perhaps one of the clearest windows into the soul of the American psyche that I've ever seen.

I've often thought that one of the various gauges that could be used to see where we're at as a society is how many blades we have on our razors. Tonight, Gilette unveiled its new Fusion razor that has five blades, plus one for good luck on the back.

Is this what we're all about, folks? Do we really need five blades on our razors? Sooner or later they'll come up with an excuse to put 14 blades on the razor, and before you know it, we'll be facing some sort of Y2K problem for razors. Frankly, I think this is all a bunch of horse manure. I'm no expert, but I don't think that 5 blades will give me anything above and beyond 3. Supposedly they did this to relieve pressure (if I'm to belive their commercials), but I've never felt much pressure from the 3 blades I currently use. What's next?

Well, it's been a long hard road, but I'm starting my final week of culinary coursework today. This week, I'm pulling together my group's work for our final project (making sure that all of our projections meet the budget, and if not, rejiggering everything until they do). This class has been very insightful in two ways. First, I've learned a lot about catering management, and how it's different from regular restaurant management. Second, I've reinforced the fact that I hate group projects.

Well, this is it. The project has been handed in, the presentation has been made, and the chef's jacket is currently being signed. The coursework is done, and now it's on to the externship, but first, a little merriment and rejoicing. Let the drinking begin!