Wendy Cook

Wendy CookTurning Stone Fine Dining Media Guide
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In The Kitchen: Wendy Cook

The Easy-Bake Oven and its little light bulb-powered stove got Wendy Cook hooked on baking, and she,s been doing it ever since.

Wendy Cook

Cook, celebrating her third anniversary this month, is one of three assistant pastry chefs for Turning Stone Resort and Casino.A self-taught chef, Cook has worked in grocery store bakeries and family owned businesses before joining the Turning Stone team.

,Both of my parents worked, so I,d be cooking and baking,, Cook said. ,And to tell you the truth it started with an Easy-Bake Oven.,

As assistant pastry chef, Cook oversees 12 team members and 10 outlets including bingo operations, Delta Café, Opal,s Confectionery, Opal,s II, Stone Street Market, team member cafeteria, banquets, Emerald and Season,s Harvest Buffet.That,s a tall order considering that for Season,s Harvest alone the bakery has to send over at least 15 sheet cakes for the day, and that doesn,t even include other desserts on the menu such as blueberry pie, carrot cake, and a host of sugar-free temptations.Cook also oversees desserts and pastries for weddings.

Although there is no ,typical, day, Cook begins at 6 a.m. checking e-mails and meeting with staff to make sure all orders are set.Staff members soon join her between 6 and 7 a.m. and together they go over plans for what needs to be done during the day shift covering special events, shows, and any questions staff may have.

After the meeting Cook then checks with the outlets to make sure all the desserts they requested are delivered.While this involves a lot of organization on her part, she still finds herself creating in the bakery.

,We mass produce on the day shift,, with the second shift taking care of fancier desserts for Wildflowers, and the grave shift baking breads and rolls she explained. ,We (bakery kitchen) are the only outlet who supplies to every restaurant at the resort.,

Occasionally the bakery gets requests to bake desserts other than what,s currently on the menu.In fact in July, Cook was part of the team that put together 1,200 slices of apple cheddar strudel with cream anglaise and whipped cream for celebrity chef Sara Moulton,s two shows.
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The dessert was Moulton,s grandmother,s recipe and Cook was gratified to learn that Moulton gave the dessert her approval.