Rebecca's Birthday cake!

It's July!! and the summer is just getting started! How was your 4th? I hope everyone grub well! and enjoyed the fantastic fireworks! :)

Few weeks back my dear friend Rebecca turned 30! WOOT! and my friend Kellie decided to host a Make your own Pizza birthday party at her place and it is of course my pleasure to make Rebecca her birthday cake!

I made the details 3 days ahead so that it had time to dry..and on that particular Friday it was one of the busiest day for me and Whitney..We had caterings that morning on top of our normal baking routine, and after work both of us had different projects she had to make 200 cupcakes for her friend's wedding and I was working on Rebecca's cake..I had 2 hours to finished the cake because the party starts at 6pm..The idea of the cake seems good in my head..

But once I made it into reality I didnt like it at all! I was pouting...at the CAKE! I had red ribbon around it..the cake is somehow like,it is for an asian wedding!

I was like.."what the hey..is the thought that counts rite?" and I'm running out of time..

but then I couldn't get over the cake at all.!! I was cringing..so I decided to take it all off and do it again..and replace the red ribbon with a black ribbon and put all the details back to the cake..and I was finally Happy!

Went to the party..and I was a little late..ok maybe an hour late..! :p The party cannot start without the cake no? :D Kellie did a great job hosting the party! (Yeay Kells!) saw few of my friends I haven't seen in a while..Everybody seems happy with the cake! And what's important is that Rebecca is Happy with the cake! yeay me!

Final Design..the ribbon was red..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY REBECCA!! <3

June-o :D

Happy June!! My little squirrels!

How's your June coming along? can you guys believe it? it's already mid year!? Anywhoooooo...

I had the hardest time waking up yesterday.. I almost texted my friend Anna, that I'm gonna bail on Hula class..I just wanna stay in bed and not do anything..The weather was sorta gloomy and chilly and my bed and pillow were hugging me and it felt so so good.. :)

We had a big weekend recently..we had 3 bridal shower,and a rehearsal dinner in one day..and to top that,I had a fund raising for my friend that I have to cater..I had Janean (our new Barista) make me a Vanilla Latte that morning so I was on top of the game that day..

once my day was done at work..I rushed home and got ready for my friend Damaris's fund raising that nite..My friend Anna who is also doing the dessert buffet with me was already at the event venue setting up..

the theme of the fund raising is Moroccan inspire..Me and Anna did not make Moroccan desserts..But we had our buffet set up in Moroccan style..

*Pictures credit to Damaris Contreras* :) love you Damaris!

Our Dessert Buffet

Meringue

Baklava

Chocolate wafer

Chocolate dip Marshmallow with sprinkles!

Vanilla cupcake tower!

It's a dude cupcake!

I appreciate guys who eats pastries and actually enjoy it..I don't care who you are..good looking or not..but if you enjoy eating my pastries you're good on my list!

Few weeks ago one of my friend turned 27. His girlfriend, a good friend of mine, decided to have a surprise party for him,and asked me if I could bake a cake or cupcakes for the party. I told her that I could make cupcakes..

I always wonder what guys thoughts are on cupcakes..I have never seen any guy get excited over cupcakes cuz it's always a girl thing to be excited over cute or delicious cupcakes..

I had no idea on what kind of cupcakes to make for this party..It's a lot easier to bake a cake for a girl than for a guy..I ask Pete would it be lame if I make raspberry buttercream chocolate cupcake for a dude? He said he doesn't know and if I baked him cupcakes for his birthday he'll eat it even if it's a raspberry..

hmmm...cupcakes for dude..cupcakes for dude...

SoooOoooo...I decided to make Chocolate cupcake with peanut butter buttercream...dudes like peanut butter no? oh well..!

here goes nothing!

Happy Birthday Drew!

so Cheesy!

Did I tell you that I work with Pete? Yes Pete! he's our Barista slash Mr Cheese guy..

He knows A LOT about cheese..I kid you not..He used to work with some cheese company so he is with a lot of cheese knowledge.

Zanzibar sells quite a few range of cheese and we do Cheese platter for caterings as well..and it's usually Pete's thing to do..he would cut the cheeses,fruits and breads and arrange them on a platter whenever there's a catering for it..and Pete only works on the weekend..

So one day we have a large platter cheese catering on a Monday..and Jessica,another barista who works on week days had to do them..she got a note from Nathan ( Our Exec Chef ) saying that Pete has already cut the cheeses and all she had to do is arrange them on a platter along with some fruits and cut some baguette and crostini..

I don't blame her for freaking out a little because she has never done or seen Pete doing it before..

Since I have seen him done it before, I decided to helped Jess with arranging the cheese..I mean how hard can it be anyway? I can actually show my inner "CHEESE" creativity.. ;p

To tell you the truth,I had no idea what the heck I was doing..does grapes goes with cheese?

dude, I'm asian, cheese is definitely not my staple food..

But fake it till you make it and Voila!

Not bad eh? Step aside Pete..I'm the Cheesy girl now!

Me: So why do they call it Drunken Goat Cheese?
Pete: Because they feed the Goat, wine..and once the goat is wasted, they took the milk, and made them into cheese..!
Me: Really? is that even legal? that's like animal abuse..
*Pete was smiling trying not to Laugh*
Me: you suck!
Pete: oh boy..you are easy!

I'm BACK!

Hello my little squirrels !!

I'm back! Sorry for being away too long! my parents were in town and work has been pretty crazy! so what have you people been up too? Just a little update..when my parents were in town, we went to New Orleans and Baton Rouge (where I was born! ) . It was fun seeing my parents college, the place where we used to live and basically walking down the memory lane.. :) it felt weird too because I can't recall any of it! So I was told by my friend to pay a certain cafe, a visit..which is Cafe Du Monde..I was also told that their Beignets is to die for! In case some of you are wondering, Beignets is a pastry made from deep fried dough, much like a doughnut, and sprinkled with powdered sugar or frosting..Beignets is fried dough in French.

Cafe du Monde did not have much on their menu..all they have is Cafe Au lait (hot or cold) and Beignets! The place was packed..! And we went there at 9pm and there's still tons of people at the restaurant! I had a cold cafe au lait and of course Beignets..and it blows my mind how something so simple is sooo good.! so if any of you are going to New Orleans be sure to give Cafe du Monde a visit..

I love New Orleans! its so Frenchy! its like going to France without going to France! There's jazz music everywhere! Would I ever lived in New Orleans..? Probably not..I'm more of Californian rather than Louisianian..I love The Lakers.. LOL!

Where art thou?

I am on Hiatus..will be back around next week..! Don't miss me too much! :)

Reality bites!

It seems like all these non-acting celebrities are all having their own reality shows..I mean C'mon! Audrina Patridge? Basketball wives? JERSEY SHORE?? (seriously my brain is falling out of my skull after 2 mins of watching it..) The real housewives of O.C/Atlanta/D.C/New York and the list goes on...why are they even famous anyways? I too can have my own reality show!! Ok..maybe I'm not married to Lamar Odom, or dating Reggie Bush but my life is somewhat.. interesting..? (actually not really..) anyone wants to make a little short asian girl who can bake pastries, famous? anyone? VH1? E!? BRAVO?! TLC?? ANYONE?! ok..fineeee...!

Truth is..I watch Keeping up with the kardashian and Khloe and Lamar..go ahead..judge away... ;p


Actually It would be nice if someone were to document,what I do for a living... :) yeah....dream on Dina..Dream on..


I've been a little distracted lately..(what's new?) And thus, my blog hasn't been updated in few weeks..I realized I havent been posting anything new about my cake of the week..so I'm just gonna tease you with all the pictures and explain what is what..

seriously,anybody wants to sign me up for reality show?

Lemon curd buttercream ,sprinkle sanding sugar with white velvet cake

Chocolate cake with,Chocolate buttercream layered with triple berry buttercream

Chocolate espresso cake with white chocolate buttercream.

Chocolate cake with caramel buttercream with Fleur de sel salt

Ohh! gotta go! Khloe and Lamar is on E! hahaha!

F.N.G

If you guys ever work in the kitchen that video is prolly just a normal day at work.. :)

I started working Zanzibar last June and at that time the Exec Chef was John Bickley. As some of you might have known I am shy around new people,so most of the time I would just keep quiet or just smile if I'm not sure if you are joking with me or just being funny..A lot of time Bickley was being funny,he named me F.N.G which stands for effin' New Girl/Guy and since I was the new girl that initials was bestowed upon me.

Me and Bickley had a verbally and physically abusive relationship (not the ones that you guys might have imagine tho..nothing like domestic abuse or anything!) I remembered how he use to throw slimey avocado and macaroni at me because he thinks its funny and he also would try to scare the crap out of me by creeping behind my back when I'm in the walk in. But I get him back by talking smack about the Chargers when they lost..! (I'm a Chargers fan but I'm not hardcore as he is..!) and he would 'accidentally' pushed me when walked past me ( I know rite?) but hey, little asian girl ain't gonna let big white guy pushes her around! all I need to do is talk more smack about Chargers and the look on his face is priceless! muahahahaha!

one day Whitney left early and told me that Bickley wanted to talk to me..and I got nervous and scared..I asked Whitney what's it about and she's like "I don't know..looks serious though.."
in my head I'm like "crap..did this Chargers smack talking upsets him?" So after Whitney left Bickley called me, and pulled me aside..and the conversation goes like this:

Bickley: Dina, do you know why you're here?
Me: *scared the crap* uhh...nooo..
Bickley: I just want to say..Congratulation..
Me: *very confused..* ummm whyyy?
Bickley: because you're no longer F.N.G!
Me: Son of a..!!! I HATE YOU!!!!
Bickley: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Me: you have no idea my heart was beating so hard!! I thought I did something wrong!!
Bickley: you're a good sport..! you took my abuse very well!
Me:oh shut up Bickley! I'm gonna get you back for this! *storm out of the room*
Bickley:HAHAHAHAH!

few hours later Whitney texted me : I hope Chef doesn't scare you..

SHE KNOWS!

people like to have fun on my account..sheesh kebab!

and now Nathan, The New Chef is mentally and verbally abusing me..WHYYYY????!!!! :P

I would probably need Therapy by the time I'm done with Zanz..! ;D

Kellie's birthday cake!

Who would've guess that April come so fast..it seems just like yesterday it was New Year..I CAN'T WAIT TO BE OLD! hahaha! anyways...! I guess winter season is officially over, its time for cute dresses and flip flop to come out and play for spring!

Speaking of spring..yesterday was Kellie's birthday! She's 21 for the 6th time! hehe! In honor of my dear friend I decided to bake her the Birthday cake..! And I told Whitney a lot of times that I was pretty nervous about it..because I haven't done Fondant cake in a long long long long time!

I started making the flowers 3 days ahead as they need to be shaped and dried before I can stick them to the cake and baked the carrot cake a day before. I was also pretty nervous about the weather as its getting pretty warm and icing the cake with cream cheese could possibly fail big time..! But mother nature loves me yesterday! The icing looks good on the cake and I finished the cake by covering it with fondant.Stick the flowers on and with Whitney's fantabolous hand writing the cake is done!

The birthday dinner was at Station Tavern in South Park and I love that place! The burger was awesome! I got to see and hang out with people I haven't seen in a while.. :) good food,good friends, awesome birthday party! I am so happy that Kellie loves the cake! and there were no left overs! woot!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELL BELL!

Happy Birthday Kellie!!

Me and the Cameron sisters! :)

you little tart!

I remembered my first lemon tart in culinary school..It looked so pretty and so yummy..until I have my first bite of it..I realized that I'm not a fan..I don't like the tarty-ness..And when I started working for Zanzibar I thought my feelings towards the lemon tart would change,now that it is topped with meringue..but nope! the tarty-ness still make my eyes look like one of those Japanese girls when I eat it..like that ---> ( >_< ) hehe!

But I also notice that a lot of people lovessss it! Because we at least have to make it two to three times a week! And I have to admit..It is pretty good looking tart! I just have to think of it as a pretty Christian Louboutin Shoes that hurts when you wear it..? maybe my feelings would change..? good analogy? maybe not.. ;p

I am currently blogging at 930pm and my brain is partially working rite now..and thus this very short post..enjoy the pictures and now off to lala land.. :)

P/S: its my dad's BIRTHDAY TODAY!!! Happy 51st BIRTHDAY DADDYKINS!! Can't wait for him and my mom to come next month and then we're off to New Orleans! ohhh yeaahhh!!

25! Woot!

I just Wanna say Thank you to those who are following me.! You guys are AWESOME! I wish I could bake bunch of yummy pastries and feed all of you!! For those who lives in San Diego that's prolly possible..but those who's in Australia and Malaysia..Wait for my home coming! which is err..haven't decided yet! :D You guys make me so Happy! I shall stop this following thing as this can go on forever.. :D I'm not announcing my defeat,but you know what I mean..!

Speaking of happy..Last Saturday there wasn't much for Whitney and me to do..so we decided to make New York Style Crumb cake and second attempt of making French Macaroons ( I haven't make French Macaroons since Culinary School! so I was a little excited!)

Making the New York Style Crumb Cake was easy..I told Marck about it and he was all excited because he's from New York..He was bugging me about making chocolate croissant and Souffle too! but I kept telling him this is not New York! ;p

Anyways...so once we're done with the crumb cake, we started to prep for French Macaroons..I totally forgot how tedious it is to make this little babies..we have to shift the Almond flour 3 times..then have to make them super fine in the food processor..We decided to make Caramel macaroons..once we got all those fining the Almond flour done, we beat the egg whites till frothy then add the sugar and cream of tartar..it looked perfect..! Then as soon as we add the caramel and the vanilla the egg white starts to deflate. So we end up starting with the egg whites all over again..this time we only add the vanilla towards the end..and start folding the dry ingredients in..and baked them for about 30 mins..and it look so cute! we filled them up with caramel buttercream..and its Nummy!

I used to intern for The Opera in Miramesa they have one of the best Macaroons in San Diego (in my opinion..) they have plenty of flavors! and in Beverly hill there's another Macaroons place that I like call Paulette..also plenty of flavors and they are pretty..ALSO (I'm not done yet! hehe..) There's this famous macaroons store in Paris called Ladurée..they have few locations around the world but sadly they don't have it here in the States..but the last time I heard they are opening in New York..so those who are in New York might wanna check the out if they are opening that is!

here are some of websites that has Fabulous Macaroons!

• Paulette.

• Ja'dore Laduree.

Hello Pudding!

It's one of those days when you feel crappy about yourself and all you want to do is eat comfort food..something cold,something chocolate-y and absolutely something yummy..something that will satisfy you and will make you feel all better!

I'm not talking about Rocky road Ice-cream..though that sounds pretty good right this moment (and nooo, I'm feeling fantastic.. I'm not listening to sad sappy love songs..haha! )

A month ago my friends came to Zanzibar and they tasted the Old Fashion Chocolate pudding we have in the Cafe..and you have no idea how happy I was when I came to their table to check on them,they totally cleaned the pudding up! nothing makes me happy when people finished things that I made!

people asked me is it hard to make the Chocolate pudding..but really no..only simple ingredient..

• Cream
• milk
• yolks
• sugar
• vanilla bean
• chocolate (mind you,good chocolate)

So yeah..Treat yourself to a really yummy Chocolate Pudding, and everything will be all right.. :D





anyways..talking about feeling better and happy, these are websites/blogs that I follow closely and they always have something new and exciting to share!

Jessica Claire is an Orange County based wedding photographer and I love her sense of photography style.

Jessica Claire.

Looking to Decorate your little pad? here's a website I like to go to get some inspiration from

Apartment Therapy.

another design website if you're looking for something modern

Desire to inspire.

Enjoy lovie!

Put the 'S' on that cones

I've always dreaded making scones for P.B (Zanzibar has another location in P.B) or should I say, I dread making scones.. ;p they are so messy and I always end up having flour all over my hair..but today there's something about it that sorta makes me a little happy..after zesting the orange and sprinkle the cranberry on top of it,I took a moment and look at it..I never realized how pretty it looked..I suddenly feel all "Martha Stewart-y" :)

Or maybe because I can finally breathe through my nose, that I am grateful for all the little things in life that makes me happy..either way..today was a good day..

And also..My parents are coming in April!











Aren't they pretty? :)

Oh you fancy huh?!

I have been hiatus last week from blogging because I was in LAX on Valentine's day night sending off my brother who is leaving to Malaysia and I was also sick. Valentine's day makes me sick,like,literally..( yes love has that effect on me..I'm joking..! ;p)

on a pre valentine's day I brought my brother to Zanzibar for dinner.Zanzibar had this whole Valentine's day special menu. Whitney was telling me that our new Chef, Nathan, made this fried oyster with lemon-chive aioli and tobiko caviar on it and she told me that I had to try it. I don't like raw oyster because there's always a funky taste in my mouth after eating it. But if its been cooked I'll eat em'!

So then came the 3 oysters, looking all pretty with Caviar on top of it. And Whitney was right.It was delish.! Since it was only 3 oysters, I took 2 and my brother took one ;p ( He told me he's not fancy with food,so, ok!) I dont think that we are having this as part our normal appetizer menu but I think that we should!

Nathan also has a blog of his own..I love promoting good blogs! check it out >North Coast Cuisine.

C'est Belle huh?
(that's "It's beautiful" in french since we're all being fancy here.. ;p )

Bloody Love me Passion-ly

Whitney ordered some Passion Fruit Puree for us and told me that I can use it to make the cupcakes. Usually on Monday I would make the chocolate Vegan. But then I thought since Passion Fruit and Chocolate both have such strong flavors, I didn't think those two would make a good combination..but this is just my opinion..So then I decided to make the white Bouchan cake and pair it with Passion Fruit Butter cream. And finished them with sanding sugar on top.It turned out wonderfully!

And today I decided to make another White Bouchan Cake for my cake of the week, since I made Chocolate Strawberry Buttercream cake last week, I didn't want to make something chocolate-y again this week. I went over to the bar to see what puree we have and I saw Peach and Blood Orange. I took both puree because I wasn't sure if I wanted to do Peach or Blood Orange Butter cream.I have a little taste of blood Orange puree and I love the tangy taste! Its weird because I don't really like Blood Orange as a fruit but I like it as a puree! Whitney suggested that I should decorate the cake with sweetened shreded coconut. who would have known those 3 combine, it would turned out Great!

And Yes,I use white Bouchan Cake recipe a lot for most of my cake of the week because 1) it's versatile 2) it taste good!

Like I would always say every week...head over to Zanzibar Cafe downtown to get your hands on those cupcakes and Cakes!

White Bouchan Cupcakes with Passion Fruit Buttercream

White Bouchan Cake with Blood Orange Buttercream

Brockton Villa in La Jolla

Every Wednesday morning me and my friend Anna would go for our weekly Hula Class,but today I woke up feeling a little low ( My brother is going home for good in 2 weeks, and one of my boss just quit his job so sudden yesterday so its like a double whammy for me in 2 days..) Anyways, I still woke up and got dressed for Hula waited for Anna to come by (but secretly prayed that Anna forgot about it or woke up late hehe!) because we carpool to Hula class. The Class started at 9am and usually Anna would swing by at 830am. But 830 turned to 840 then to 845 and then my phone rang (it was Anna) and She told me that she was running late because she just got out from work and she was on her way to my place..but I told her I wasn't feeling great this morning and wouldn't mind if we skip Hula today, I told her what happened and she suggested we go for brunch. So she came over and brought me to Brockton Villa in La Jolla its on 1235 Coast Blvd La Jolla. She told me the best thing to try over there is Coast toast which is, their famous French Toast, Similar to a soufflé, extra rich with a hint of orange. So We ordered that and Carne Asada Benedict.

I absolutely love the Coast toast! The Baguette is crispy on the outside and goey inside.Its not eggy and not to sweet and you can taste the hint of orange. I highly recommend you guys to order this.

The Carne Asada Benedict is delicious as well. It's their House-Made Carne Asada with Avocado,Poached Eggs,English Muffin. Topped with Cilantro Hollandaise Sauce. Hello Hollandaise sauce! I love Hollandaise sauce! they served it with rosemary potatoes and the potatoes are well seasoned and the carne asada is yummy!

So if you guys ever wanted to try a new breakfast place, this is the place to go. Its by La Jolla cove so the beach would be your view! The restaurant is really cute but it's slightly expensive. The Coast Toast is $12 and Carne Asada is $13. Here's their website Brockton Villa .

And Thanks to Anna for bringing me here and make my day a little better. :)

Carne Asada Benedict

Coast Toast

Tuesday cake!

Since the strawberry buttercream tasted so good with the White Bouchan cake that I did last week,I decided to make a chocolate cake with Strawberry buttercream. ( I wasnt feeling "creative" this week,and besides, chocolate and strawberry can't go wrong anyways.. ;) ) So I made the vegan chocolate cake ( Zanzibar special of course..its so moist and its vegan..) And to add a little "evil" on the chocolate cake I made the Buttercream with strawberry puree and it taste like valentine in your mouth. :) Whitney decided to call it a Sweetheart cake because its almost Valentine's day (not that I care it's Valentine's day..but it sounded cute so why not? :) ) Whitney Piped hearts for the border on top of the cake and it looks super cute and I personally love it.!

Head over to Zanzibar Downtown peeps! Have a slice of cake with a Berry Patch tea! you know you want to! :)

El camino!

Whitney,Kelly and Me decided that we're gonna try a new restaurant every month..So on Tuesday we decided to go to El Camino for taco Tuesday at South Park after work..El Camino is between 30th st and Fern St. It's a cute little Mexican restaurant and I love the decor.

And I think this is the best place for Taco Tuesday so far.! $5 for 4 tacos with rice and beans. They have Carne Asada,Chicken Asada,Mahi-Mahi, Camaron Asado (Pan Seared garlic cilantro shrimp finished with lime juice) and Rajas (Grilled chile poblano,onion,bell peppers,mushroom and corn sauteed with mexican cream)

We ordered Mahi-Mahi,Carne Asada,Chicken Asada and Rajas and I love everything! It was so good! and their Chips and salsa were awesome too! They have 3 dips one is hot sauce,verde, and cheese hot sauce? Im not sure what it is..but they are all good!

So if you guys are looking for a new place to try for Taco Tuesday,head over to El Camino at South Park!

The Chips and Salsa! So yumm!!

The Rajas and Carne Asada with rice and beans! These are mucho delicioso!!

Cake of the week!

Every Tuesday at work we would make our cake of the week,and I was trying to make something fun and fruity.So I flipped thru the recipe baking book that Whitney (my boss) bought me for Christmas just to get some inspiration or maybe just bake something out of the book. Then I saw a picture of white cake with Strawberry Mousselin filing and chocolate ganache and I thought maybe I should make that this week. I told Steve (The Cafe manager,also my boss) that I feel like making something with Strawberry or Raspberry puree in it and he told me I could use the puree from the cafe bar.! I had no idea what we had in that bar until I saw how much puree we have in there! I got all excited thinking there's so many cakes that I wanted to do with that puree!

Anyways..So I decided to make White Bouchan cake, with Strawberry buttercream (with slices of strawberries.) because I don't know how Strawberry Mousselin would work with our ever so frequently changing weather,and the outside would be Chocolate ganache.

So San Diegans what are you waiting for? Head over to Zanzibar Cafe, Downtown for a slice! or two.! ;)

A trip to Jimbo's!

Morning all!!

As usual on Wednesday morning would be for me and Anna to go for our weekly Hula class..Jen (My Hula teacher) emailed me last week to check out Jimbo's or Whole Foods bakery and see what they have in store (for some who doesn't know Jimbo's and Whole Foods sell grocery that is organic and natural foods) If you guys read my last post,Jen is allergic to eggs,gluten,wheat,soy and milk. My new project is baking something so that people with allergies can enjoy some desserts!

So after class me and Anna went to Jimbo's and check out their bakery section..I must say that they have a variety of desserts that is gluten free and vegan over there..the question is..is it good?
We bought a few desserts to try..

We bought:

Agave vegan gluten free pumpkin zucchini cake

Gluten free pumpkin Zucchini muffin

Oatmeal chocolate chip cookie with walnut

Pumpkin pillows

Dagoba Organic Chocolate

---So here's the verdict...

Pumpkin Pillow:
Truthfully it's dry and I barely taste the pumpkin in it..

Pumpkin Zucchini Muffin:
It's alright but it's not awesome. A little on the dry side.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie:
It's dry but it's pretty good for organic ingredients!

Agave Vegan Gluten Free Pumpkin Zucchini Cake:
This is the winner!! It's soooo good!! for gluten free and vegan! it's so moist! and I can taste all of the flavor!

Dagoba Organic Chocolate:
This Chocolate taste feminine! The whole Lavender and Wild Blueberries is totally good!

These are the ingredients :




So I guess good Gluten free Vegan desserts are possible to do. I just need to find a good recipe!

<3,
Brownie Bites