“Why is no one reaaaady”

Ok boys, you’re not going to like this post, because you probably won’t get it. That is, unless you’re one of those super-sensitive-secret romantics, or just a really nice guy that allow the women in your life to watch ALL the chick flick/romantic comedies they desire.

If you fall into this category, male or female, you’ll get the references to Meryl Streeps fabulous portrayal of Anna Wintour in “The Devil Wears Prada.” Notice the title?

My best friend in pastry class is a two-time former Miss California. She’s also a whip cracker, potty mouthed, 30 year old who lives on the Upper East Side with her husband, and dog Alfred. She names all her plants, buys expensive food, clothes, wine, and finds it comical beyond belief, that it took me 2 months to get internet in my third floor walk up.

That, and the fact that I can’t afford to buy myself “white truffle sea salt.” It’s a MUST for her.

But she’s fabulous, and when push comes to shove on days when I spend nearly half my day in the kitchen, she’s my best friend.

Its incredible how close you become with people you share a kitchen with. The same is true for family situations or a friend’s dinner party, the idiosyncrasies of an individual become pronounced.

After reigning the crown (well, almost) of California, my friend was one of the country’s head buyers for Nordstrom, where she was cordially known as “The Devil Wears Jimmy Choo.”

On days such as today, when I start to wonder how many idiots are in my class, and how it seems like the kitchen is sometimes a magnet for the dumbest people alive … (ever wonder why all those competition cooking shows are so entertaining) … she pulls out a one liner, in perfect Meryl, playing Anna, tone EVER.

All of a sudden I’ll hear, “Why is no one reaadddy?” or “No, no, that wasn’t a question.” And then purse her lips.

Since she seems to be the only other person in the class besides me that feels uglier than a twelve-year old school boy wearing whites and Dansko clogs, it works magically. I think one of the most important things in the kitchen is chemistry. Without it, you don’t want to be there.

Thank God for girls in the kitchen that still like to wear nail polish, buy expensive shoes, watch fashion movies, AND love to cook. Believe me Nigella Lawson, Padma Lakshmi, and Giada didn’t get anywhere without a little bit of feminine grace.

Today’s battles: oat bread, croissants, and pizza dough.