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Recommendations and tips-Bipin

 Erasmus mobility is a great learning process if you really focused on your career, or you really want a fortune in hospitality sector. If you like to move and learn cooking from Spain you have to have good Spanish command, if you just want experiment the 3 weeks of mobility no need that much of language skills, just prepare some basic Spanish. Before you go to mobility, just analyse yourself and make a proper plan what you want to achieve. Whenever you are in a kitchen first you try to Market yourself, just explain to the kitchen head what is your abilities and show them the pictures of your dishes and your workplace back in Ireland, because they normally don't have any clue about what you are, they normally think you as a free labour, so convince them your abilities and share your knowledge with them. Then only they will be open with you. Always note down the recipes. And take pictures of the dishes. Be willing to do every kitchen job, and show a good attitude always. 
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What I have learned-Bipin

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 The chef I worked with had a great knowledge about real Spanish authentic cooking. So he was really focusing on his jus making techniques. The kitchen always have 3 kinds of jus all the time. One poultry, one meat.and one with fish. Any of the dish he prepare he just add  bit of his jus to flavour differently. Even to the omelette. I leaned the importance of sauce making in fine dining, and how to operate the kitchen efficiently in a tiny place, I learned the importance of the kitchen assistants, they prep everything for the busy kitchen rather than chefs doing everything, it is actually a cost effective operation and a good training for kitchen assistants. From the mobility I earned more confidence to operate the kitchen independently. More disipline and more control over me. Of course I earned more technical skills aswell.  Through out the mobility I experienced the real cooking world, and did comparison with Ireland and Spain, it was something I needed just  to b...
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Freetime-Bipin

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 If I mention about the free time, that was only the off days. If we work in siesta we never get any free time to do anything creative. So day offs were only the free time we got. First week I visited a national park and some villages near to beautiful zamora region. Next week I have been there in Madrid just for a day trip. The trains are very handy and comfortable to visit any of the nearby places.espain organised a trip to the asparagus plantation and foie gras farm in the following week, and that was really a great experience. The batch I went with to Spain was really great people, and whenever we got off together we gathered in the city Square and had lot of fun.  I don't know I participated any of the cultural events in Spain. But ofcourse I noticed some cultural activities were around  during our stay. 
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Culture - Bipin

 If we go to anywhere in the world first few weeks will be tough and confusing just bacause of the cultural differences. It will take at least two weeks to get an idea about how we behave and how we mould ourself to fit in that culture. We were here to work in Spain so we had more interactions with the workmates, it helped a lot to understand the culture bit more than a usual holiday maker. Valladolid was a great place to learn real Spanish traditions rather than big cities. Even the food is amazing in this place compare to other crowded tourist places. I believe Real Spain lives in villages. Language wise it  was tough to cope up with. But modern technology gave an ease when it came to reality. If you want to continue working in Spain. You must learn Spanish. Workplace and working standards if we compare in Ireland work as a chef is harder than in Spain. But worklife balance wise Ireland is way ahead. Food safety. Health and safety, risk management wise Spain has a very low s...
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Recommendations & tips

 The biggest tip I would give for the next group going to Valladolid would be to work hard however always remember you are only there for 3 weeks so learn as much as you can. A recommendation would be to not compare it to an Irish kitchen or other experiences you have had just live in the moment and enjoy.  
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What I've learnt

There was a lot of highs and lows on this trip but overall it was a great experience. I do wish there was more support for us as at times I would of liked to just talk to someone on how challenging I was finding it especially as I felt I was just at the restaurant at the wrong time and if I was there when things weren't as tease I would have enjoyed myself a lot more. Thankfully for the others in the group we were able to become a support system for each other.  This experience has shown me as long as I am confident within myself I can do anything. 
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Free time

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                                                                                                                                                                  On my free time I went to Salamanca, Leon and explored Valladolid. There is so much around Valladolid itself which was amazing as I love to travel. All the cities of Salamanca, Leon and Valladolid are quite small cities so was very easy to get around. Also we went on a group trip with everyone including the Swedish students to a asparagus  farm, duck slater’s house and pacos cave which were all amazing experience to see!...
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