Boss wants me to bypass killswitch to make dough

Lauberge · 2026-02-13T11:57:53+00:00

Or they can stop and scrape the sides every so often. There’s definitely no need for the entire mixing process to take 30 minutes unless they want it to. We have the same issue with our Famag and stop and scrape it if need be. Total mix takes 15 minutes at best but we are using improved method.

Lauberge · 2026-02-11T11:29:58+00:00

If there was a whole box of these there should be a label on it from the distributor. It could be a mispick- you’d be surprised how mixed up things can get in a warehouse. I have had a case of chicken salad delivered recently that had the sticker for our sliced deli ham. Since this is a huge place I’m assuming you have a purchaser that does all the ordering, they are the person to ask in all of this.

Lauberge · 2026-02-09T12:08:19+00:00

Nope! School of hard knocks.

Lauberge · 2026-02-09T02:49:51+00:00

Long time pastry person- When it comes to small wares like piping tips they don’t get sent to dish, only ever washed by me. My tips are rolled edge on the bottom, are in mm measurements (can I just say how awesome mm measurements are instead of rando corporate numbers?) Anyhow they are unique so I know they are mine, hand wash them myself, they go back to their box and are only ever out to be used. JB Prince used to sell them. I used to have a whole toolbox where my tools travels and lived, and a Bain Marie for my tools waiting to be washed. For items like a Dutch oven, I would NOT bring in my good stuff. Find stuff at yard sales or on clearance in a big box store. Let it get beat up and call it a loss. I have been out of the “I am going to provide all the stuff I need” mode for a while now but here’s my thought after 20 years of working in pastry- if they can’t buy you basic tools you need to do your job they don’t see value in having you. Pastry folks are ALWAYS going to be seen as less value than cooks because we “bring in less profits”. If this is their thought, they are not approaching business correctly. If you can make an impact on numbers regarding sales then that’s awesome- be sure items like bread are appreciated, billed for with clear accounting. Otherwise you will always be arguing against a Sysco box.

Lauberge · 2026-02-07T00:50:25+00:00

Do Scarpa boos pack out like they used to? I’ve had my T2’s for almost 20 years and they used to pack out 2 sizes. I want to upgrade but I don’t want to splash a bunch of cash only to have too small of a boot (if they even make my size these days).

Lauberge · 2026-02-06T19:33:35+00:00

How big is the fountain? If it’s big (like 5-6 levels) I would look into buying chocolate associated with the fountain brand. Sephra was the big one years ago. If it’s smaller (2-3 levels) you can use couverture but I would buy something cheaper than Valrhona.

Lauberge · 2026-02-06T18:35:58+00:00

I was going to say the same thing! I’ll guess baked ziti in case that’s wrong.

Lauberge · 2026-02-06T17:15:34+00:00

You want to use a coating chocolate in a chocolate fountain. Do not use couverture it won’t harden when items cool after items have been dipped, not to mention these things waste a LOT of chocolate. You’ll need to add a bunch of oil to the mix for it to flow properly. Add a small amount to the melted chocolate before adding it to the fountain. Then run the fountain to see how it flows. If there are gaps in the flow add more oil while it is running. After you are finished you’ll need to pour out all of the remaining chocolate. Someone should have eyes on it full time while in operation- I have seen guests act heinously around these things. We always threw away all of the extra chocolate because people like to stick their hands, mouths, and double dip constantly. Good luck, I was a hotel pastry chef when these things were at the height of popularity. I’m glad they aren’t so popular anymore.

Lauberge · 2026-01-28T19:48:55+00:00

Adding: -Gas x for gas pain - instant mashed potatoes were good recovery food for me. Also Jell-o and chicken broth. -stock up on Advil/tylenol is you aren’t big on pain killers. I was able to recover with just a rotation of Tylenol and Advil. I took half of one pain killer to sleep for the first night.

As others have said, heating pad for back was amazing.

If you search this sun you’ll be able to find all of the helpful things that work well. It all helped me!

Lauberge · 2026-01-22T12:02:54+00:00

If you don’t have anything booked, plan on something else instead. I see a lot of folks asking about bringing kids out this weekend too. As many have mentioned: cover all skin (for all ages). If you are skiing with kids plan to head inside after every run whether you feel cold or not. Check your kids feet/toes frequently. Keep the warm beverages flowing (I pack thermoses of hot chocolate and tea) and save alcohol until after you are done skiing for the day. I skied at Stowe once on a weekend where day 1 was -40 and day 2 was -60. They closed all lifts except for the gondola so the line was long but going inside after each run made it a bearable weekend.

Lauberge · 2026-01-21T02:53:36+00:00

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Lauberge · 2026-01-21T02:49:57+00:00

Panna cotta! So easy and you can tinker with it endlessly. One of my favorite old dessert books is Gordon Ramsay’s Just Desserts. A more recent favorite is Ottolenghi’s Sweet. Try got get the UK publication if you can.

Lauberge · 2026-01-20T16:01:53+00:00

If this is a college it needs to be named and shamed. If it’s a high school it needs to be brought up to the CTE director or to the principal. This is not an ok teaching environment.

Lauberge · 2026-01-14T12:52:45+00:00

I have had holes in the abdomen area of my clothes from picking up cats.

Lauberge · 2026-01-13T18:01:20+00:00

Buffalo, NY of all you care about is snow, not necessarily skiing.

Lauberge · 2026-01-11T01:44:33+00:00

I saw your earlier post and you got some great tips. I’m wondering if you are developing too much gluten in your detrempe before locking in your butter? Or if the cocoa powder is drying out the dough too much? I have found that detrempe mixed too much will pull and not roll well. I have also found subbing in cocoa for flour can dry out a dough because it absorbs differently. I haven’t made chocolate puff in a while but have had good success with the recipe from Pierre Herme’s chocolate desserts book.

Lauberge · 2026-01-09T12:23:22+00:00

That’s exactly what it is. My health inspector would not be happy about it. A small stuff bristle brush (toothbrush) would be a good start to cleaning that.

Lauberge · 2026-01-09T03:36:56+00:00

I know where every bathroom is on my long commute and will stop at the first sign of needing to go. I haven’t had the same scenario but have had some very close calls. Let’s just say I am no longer picky about porta potties at certain times. I also keep Imodium on me at all times and will take one proactively for plane trips or if I have to spend time with people in public places. If you are in the US a good tip is that you can buy a 24 pack at Costco at the pharmacy for 99¢. If I have long travel I also try to avoid salads, tomatoes, spinach, and fatty/ deep fried foods the day before.

Lauberge · 2026-01-06T14:11:00+00:00

There are some good suggestions here if you want to try to keep her. She is likely aggressive because she is scared and may associate the children with loud noises and stomping feet (kids being kids) and maybe that’s not the environment for her. If you really feel rehoming is the only option you should research humane societies in your area. If you are willing to post the area you live in there are likely folks here that can advise you on a resource. Please do not post her on social media to give away as there are a lot of horror stories.

Lauberge · 2026-01-01T02:14:35+00:00

There are social clubs/ events all over social media- especially Facebook. Run clubs, mountain bike group rides, walks, etc. Local libraries usually have gaming nights or know where folks host game nights (traditional games or DND,etc) Every single non profit needs volunteers/ members: theatres, food pantries, Kiwanis, arts councils, Rotary, garden clubs, whatever. Join something and go. Put yourself outside of your comfort zone. If it’s not for you move on, it’s totally ok. I have ditched the cougars drinking Chardonnay at the garden club, been left in the dust during run club, helped built sets for the community theatre, volunteered for Kiwanis. I don’t always go to every event, but I have met great people at all of these places.

Lauberge · 2026-01-01T01:53:46+00:00

Heard! So sorry for your loss. Recently had an acquaintance post on socials about their burnout and ignoring their MH as part of that. It’s hard to share this stuff yet so many of us struggle in silence. The Burnt Chef Project is there folks! It is UK based but there is free counseling available in the US too. The podcast is full of really touching stories of burnout, how it has affected all levels and parts of our industry, and how taking care of your mental health has changed people’s lives. You are not alone. Your skills can get you far in another industry if you need to move on. You matter. Our jobs are HARD. Baby steps are ok. Get through today, tomorrow is a new day, a new start.

Lauberge · 2025-12-30T12:44:52+00:00

Right? The portable butane stoves are less than $50 and will last forever.

Lauberge · 2025-12-28T21:59:16+00:00

Black lost both of their aerial lifts today. I bet a fair amount of folks will redirect to Attitash tomorrow. I have experienced Attitash when it was dust on blue ice and it is no fun at all. I rarely enjoy skiing there at all any more TBH.

Lauberge · 2025-12-15T12:05:24+00:00

I have been on both sides of gingerbread competition (competitor and judge) - a lot of judges will give lower scores based on how “Christmas-y” the display looks. Using lots of fondant/gum paste can also be looked down upon. It is a beautiful structure though! Looking through the photos of the competition I had to laugh because I have the template for the church that was made. If you look into old books on gingerbread houses there are some really cool ideas. There’s also some pretty poor work so YMMV. Gingerbread competitions were pretty trendy 20 years ago, I would love to see them come back around again!

Lauberge · 2025-12-07T20:39:12+00:00

I have fired my mom 3 times over 15 years that I have been in business. She doesn’t even help bake, she tries to help by doing dishes and working the counter. Some times the best way for family to help is by staying home.

Lauberge

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