This could go down in history as one of my best days ever!!

The lady who picked up her cake this morning was thrilled with it, even tho it wasn't one of my favorites.

The $50 cookie gift certificate I donated to the Rotary silent auction resulted in a lovely woman calling me today to order $150 worth of cookies over and above the value of the certificate.

I'm working on my 1st ever wedding cake, and so far, so good.

Last but not least, Panera just called to tell me that I'm one of the 3 finalists chosen from hundreds of applicants in their Breaducation contest! The next step is that I compete in a cook-off against the other 2 finalists in a cook-off at Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago. ME, cooking at Le Cordon Bleu!!!!

Now, if I could only fly down to New Orleans and deal with my daughter's former boss who's slandering her and making her life miserable, this day would be the best ever!!!!

Great job! I am excited for you! Keep up the good work!

Nice!

Wow, what a great day! Congrats on being a finalist, that's awesome. Oh, I live about 2ur hours from N.O, I'll take care of the boss.

Thanks for the kind words, ladies! And, Vanna, I'm depending on you now to kick the stuffing out of that mean woman for me.

Oh, and I just delivered the wedding cake. The couple loved it so much that they made me stand between them behind the cake for a photo. I was so excited!!

Well, the Panera competition is Saturday morning. Anyone reading this thread, please send good thoughts my way!!!!! I honestly don't even care if I win -- I just hope I don't embarrass myself.

There are 3 of us competing -- me, a younger man, and an older woman. We have one hour to make something using a Panera French baguette. I've decided to do a Raisin Pecan Bread Pudding with Nutmeg Sauce.

One of the judges from Bravo's Top Chef, the head baker of Panera, and the head of Chicago's Le Cordon Bleu will be judging.

Please think of me on Saturday morning!!!

In case anyone is interested in the outcome, I did participate in the Panera Breaducation cook-off today at Le Cordon Bleu Chicago. I came in 2nd out of 3, but had a wonderful day, anyway!!

I was the only one who really enjoyed it, I think. The other woman was so stressed out that she actually cried before it started. The young man was a nervous wreck and didn't smile once until he won. I, on the other hand, was relaxed and thoroughly drank in the whole experience.

I got to meet the head pastry chef of the school, the head baker for Panera, Tiffany from Bravo's Top Chef, and 2 Chicago news reporters.

My bread pudding turned out exactly as I wanted it to -- it looked and smelled delicious, so I didn't embarrass myself!

Last but not least, I walked away with a $100 Panera gift card, a professional chef's coat and commis hat, and lots of photos and wonderful memories.

It was a wonderful day!!!!!!!!!!!!

****CONGRATULATIONS!!!**** -- from an expatriated Chicagoan.

What a great weekend it's been! I hope some of your good mojo rubs off on your daughter!

I'm not a big bread pudding fan, but it sounds like yours might change my mind.

Congratulations!! Well done and great things are going so well for you!!

Congrats! I loved that you enjoyed the experience, that's what its all about, right? Oh and the boss has been dealt with.





Disclaimer: no bosses were harmed in the making of this post

Vanna D -- thanks for my laugh for the day!!

That's AWESOME! Thanks for sharing your good news. It always makes me feel better, even if it isn't me!