There Are Days Where I Can't Believe This Is Where I Work. On This Day Three Years Ago, I Started My

There are days where I can't believe this is where I work. On this day three years ago, I started my post-@MasterChefCDA culinary journey at @CalgaryCoop. Today I am working at @Charbar_YYC, possibly one of the finest restos in #YYC. And tomorrow I will be cooking at @goldmedalplates Calgary with #TeamWorkshop (@workshopyyc) under Captain @chefkennyk. How far I have come from just a market clerk. Here's to many more days of glory ahead. Because #DoWhatYouLove, and the world will surprise you in amazing ways. See you tomorrow at GMP guys! I'm super pumped. #ChefApprenticeLife #yycfood #yyc (at charbar)

The lineup of last night's entries @Goldmedalplates #YYC. Some stunning work was on display last night, to say the least. Kinda wish I could've tasted a few of them, though. #TeamWorkshop #ChefApprenticeLife #theartofplating #yycfood #yyceats #yycliving #captureyyc #yycnow #evliving #chefsroll #chefslife #chefstalk #fbcigers #foodshot #foodstarz #foodstagram #Gastronomy #instafood #truecooks #huffposttaste #chefsofinstagram #f52grams #Jarrytype (at Calgary TELUS Convention Centre)

Then & now. On the left was me three years ago. On the right was me last night. I don't think I look much different (except for a few battle scars), but going from @masterchefcda to being on #TeamWorkshop last night for @GoldMedalPlates #YYC is a big leap forward for me. On my difficult days, sometimes it's easy for me to get down on myself. But sometimes I have nights like these and I look behind for the second, and am amazed at how far I've come. I'm not perfect nor am I at the summit, but I'm on the right path. I think David Bowie says it best... "Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes Turn and face the strange Ch-ch-changes Don't want to be a richer man Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes Turn and face the strange Ch-ch-changes There's gonna have to be a different man Time may change me But I can't trace time." A change is gonna come, and I know I'm living it. Even if it doesn't seem obvious. Sometimes all we just need to do is #Reflect. (photo on right is from CTV, photo on left courtesy of @dishnthekitchen) #ChefApprenticeLife #SelfReflection #yycfood #yyc

Patios in #YYC still open on November 5th? I think I'm living in #BizarroWorld. But still good to get some time to shoot the breeze with one of my culinary teachers @unusualzen, talkin' shop and drinkin' craft beers @millstreetyyc. It's like today was a perfect day to #loveYYC & explore all it has to offer. #StayLocal, folks. It's not always the worst thing. #ChefApprenticesDayOff #JohnsDayOff #ChefApprenticelife #yycfood #yycdrinks #yycpatios (at Mill Street Brewpub Calgary)

Look! On the table! Is it a bowl of rice? No! Is it a bowl of congee? No! Is it a bowl of risotto? Yes! But this isn't your run of the mill riso, this is an Asam laksa risotto, inspired by #Penang, Malaysia (馬來西亞濱城)'s world renown hot & sour noodle. Topped with lemon dressed arugula, a poached prawn and a dollop of sambal. #LateNightEats #ChefApprenticeLife #latedinner #dinner #yycfood #yyc #yycliving #yyceats #MalaysianFood #Masakan #fushion #馬來菜 #risotto #rice #prawn #arugula

More #LateNightEats fun, this time with coconut milk, pandan extract and agar to make a version of the classic Southeast Asian multilayered dessert, which in Thai is called wun gati bai tuey (วุ้นกะทิใบเตย). The agar amount is right, and the sweetness is balanced with kaffir lime leaf and lemongrass. The only thing is that the layers are just a wee bit off. Oh well...next time. #ChefApprenticeLife #ChefApprenticeAtHome #yycfood #yyc #AsianStyle #thaifood #masakanindonesia #dessert #coconut #pandan #jelly