Monday July 7, 2008

You can call me Betty, Crocker that is

‘Tis the season for baking! And for forcing the O|C team to serve as taste testers. That’s right, it’s almost time for the county fairs, and that means practicing and perfecting recipes by which to bring about utter cake contest domination. Oh, did I say that aloud? This time of year, I can’t help but show my competitive side, which is fairly well limited to baking and maybe a fierce game of Scrabble. I brought in last week what will be the first of several test cakes for the team to try out. Using a grading sheet designed by Cary, staffers rated the caramel apple spice confection for taste, texture, presentation, etc.
While I worry about burning out the taste buds of my coworkers, I can do only so much taste testing at home on my own or with help from my husband (who’s taken to calling me “Betty” lately) as we both have wheat and dairy allergies. Nothing major, but enough that we try to avoid mass cake consumption. At the agency, we spend so much time analyzing our own work and our client’s branding that it’s fun to turn our creative and critical eyes toward other aspects of our lives, be they baking, painting, furniture refurbishing or whatever else the team dabbles in during off hours. Indulging those other creative outlets makes us better at what we do in the office by sharpening our senses and instincts. And if there happens to be a little competition in the off hours, that works it’s way back to the agency as well. Making us lean, mean, creative machines. As for my time in the kitchen, watch out Betty Crocker, you’re going down.

Posted by Camden Easterling Swindell at 10:52 AM in Us