One of the first things I noticed about life here at the Culinary is that there is a certain level of underlying grumpiness by much of the student body. I never could finger whether or not it was just the money issue or the dorms or whatever, but there always seemed to be just a little nick of unhappiness in most everyone.

I now know why.

It's because in the kitchens and in the classrooms, they work you to death. Today, we started Seafood ID & Fabrication after 7 days of Meat ID & Fab. Meat class was great and it was such a privelege to be taught by a world-class butcher and a world-class man. Chef Sebald is literally one of the, if not THE best butcher in the world as I mentioned the other day. His knowledge and passion for his craft were awe-inspiring to watch and helped us want to know more. Overall, I think I did very well in the class and was priveleged enough to enjoy Chef Sebald before his impending retirement.

But seafood is another story...

Class started this morning at SIX AM! I've read a couple of books by Michael Ruhlman and he made a point of mentioning Chef Corky Clark in both books. I believe he described his time in Chef Clark's class as some of the most chaotic and challenging of his life. I can see why those words are very appropriate. Chef Clark is tough, loud, and very demanding; a direct contrast to Chef Sebald. When the class didn't follow instructions and several people didn't follow what the Fellow had instructed, Chef Clark had no problem railing each and every one of us for not listening.

This is not to say that Chef Clark is a bad instructor; actually, just the opposite. Chef Clark knows fish and I think you'd be hard pressed to find anyone else able to replicate his knowledge and passion and the God-given ability the man posseses.

Back to the grumpiness, here's where it comes in. Class at 6 am, out at 2:30pm. Off to writing until 4 and then you're done with a glorious 10 hour day of almost straight classroom or production. Quite a load and I can definitely see how much my life has changed very quickly. No longer can I come home and goof around, expecting to do a little work and be ok. Each night, I probably spend 3-4 hours on homework and watching required videos. Once you add all that up, there's hardly any spare minutes in the day.