My day started bright and early… the alarm went off at 5 am, I had some coffee, read a few emails, and tweeted a little. An hour later I was rushing to get ready for my adventure in the Spago kitchen.
Upon arriving at Spago I said good morning to Pastry Chef Zairah and reported myself for duty, Sherry had given her the heads up that I would be helping out for the day. She showed me to the locker room where I picked out a chef jacket and hat, I then went downstairs to the pastry room and helped myself to an apron and hand towel.
Once I was properly dressed, I reported back to Zariah. She showed me to my station and assigned me my first task… a little strawberry slicing to get me warmed up.
Having completed my first task, next I was to roll a little cookie dough… Sherry’s famous white chocolate cherry chunk cookies. I rolled the dough in to full sheet length logs and wrapped them in parchment paper.
Here are few other tasks I helped with:
Prepped a few cobblers
Filled pastry bags with yuzu curd! (Which was delicious by the way…!!)
Flaked some Almond granita
Dipped goji berries in a white chocolate marcona almond ganache
Sliced short bread
Pitted cherries… (a lot of cherries) 
Sherry is such a sweetheart and a wealth of knowledge, we chatted a little while stemming fraise des bois.
Later in the afternoon she showed me around the Spago dining room and explained the history behind the restaurant. She pointed out the Picasso, the custom etched glass pieces, and the flames representing passion. Which happens to theme of the restaurant designed by Barbara Lazaroff. The flames can be found throughout the restaurant, from the carpet to the furniture, to the light fixtures. The restaurant itself is a work of art!
Right before the restaurant opened for dinner, she took me over to the pizza station, where I met Tito, Master Pizza Maker Extraordinare!!
He gave me a quick lesson, and in no time I too was making pizzas!
It was a long day, I was there almost 11 hours, but time just flew by. It was a true honor…
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Love the mouse pizza! Looks like a great time!
It's a day in the kitchen I would love to experience. Glad you had a good time.
so busy… looking at the pizza oven gives me chills.
WOW you are so lucky Josie – thanks for taking us along for the ride!!!
That is so cool! I love the long days that are fun and exciting. You look good in those Chef Whites!
How amazing! When I met Sherry at the bake sale she seemed like such a sweetheart! Glad to know that first impressions held up.
I am so impressed!!Very cool!
Sounds like an amazing experience, you are one lucky gal!
That looks like so much fun. Especially the pizzas!
Wow, SO fun. Thanks for posting about it – how exciting.
Wow, SO fun. Thanks for posting about it – how exciting.
Wow, SO fun. Thanks for posting about it – how exciting.
What an exciting day! I bet the 11 hours didn't seem heavy with all the fun things you did (love the pizza!)
looks like so much fun as I am sure it was that pizza looks amazing….and so do you!
lucky you! Theresa
Love the cute pizza! It sure looks like you had a great time.
Wow! You sure are lucky. Looks like you had an awesome time. Can't wait to see more of what you picked up
How exciting! That chef's hat is so "you"! The pizza looks yummy, too. Happy for you
What a fun day! Your new site looks great!
That is AMAZING!!! Oh my gosh…how COOL!
Look at you! What a fun thing to do. Bet you were tired at the end, but it’s worth it.
Josie: What an adorable and fun post! The first image is priceless. Your new site design is well-done and beautifully showcases your gorgeous desserts.
What a great experience! I am intrigued by the yuzu curd.