The Great British Bakeoff! But American! - (11/13)

[imafuturist]

The baking 'tent' had an assortment of flours and cans of tomatoes at the ready for when class arrived. Which was possibly a hint as to what they were going to be doing today! Or maybe not depending on your knowledge of food here. They'd judge, though. They for sure would. On this occasion.

"So, pizza," Tony said. "It's something you can easily order, but why not learn to make it?"

The kitchen fires were why, and those were just when Steve forgot to take it out of the box.

"It seems like simple enough ingredients," Steve agreed, "and even bad pizza is still pizza!"

Tony's expression said he was both wrong and somehow not wrong all at once. Pizza was like that. "First we want you to show us your favorite regional pizza. California, Colorado, New Haven... whatever you like."

"Unless you like the one with processed cheese slices on it, then show us a different favorite pizza," Steve said.

"Please don't do that one," Tony said, looking horrified. "But after that's done, we'll be having you try your hand at making a classic, margherita pizza."

"And for homework, you need to make casserole." Steve, don't be like this.

"The least pizza of the pizzas... the Chicago deep dish," Tony added. Because they were both New Yorkers and had to.

"I'll eat it," Steve said, "but I eat everything."

Food Adventures, Thursday, First Period

[carbsliftthespirit]

"All right, folks!" Raiden said with an enthusiastic clap of his hands once everyone had assembled. "This week we're heading to my country of origin, although I've only been where we're going today once, with a previous class, because one of my brothers is...dramatic." No, not that one. (Castor. It was Castor.) "See, I'm from Corinth, which is a little bit west of where we'll be going today: Athens, Greece! Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a recorded history going back almost three and a half thousand years, and evidence of people living in the area going back to...like...thirteen thousand years ago. In ancient times, Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in what is now Greece, and it's considered the birthplace of democracy and the cradle of what we consider Western civilization. In modern times, the metropolitan area is home to almost a third of the population of Greece, home to numerous museums and historical sites like the Acropolis...and they've got some very delicious food.

"Greek food is a Mediterranean diet, which means that it's based on certain things: wheat; olive oil, wine, and seafood traditionally more than red meat, although these days meat is more common...though usually sheep or goat over beef, because the terrain in most of Greece isn't overly suited to cattle. Greece was one of the earliest wine-producing areas in the world, and the olive oil and yogurt from Greece are renowned worldwide. They use a lot of phyllo, which is very thin sheets of dough used for making pastries, both sweet like baklava and savory like spanakopita. Some other Greek foods you may be familiar with include feta cheese, moussaka, which is a delicious baked eggplant casserole with ground lamb, horiatiki, more commonly known in English as 'Greek salad,' tzatziki, a sauce made of that delicious Greek yogurt and cucumber, and gyros or souvlaki, the Greek version of fast food made from meat roasted on a spit. While we're in Athens I would also encourage you to try retsina, a wine made with pine resin that's been produced since ancient times, or ouzo, an anise-flavored spirit." If you did try both of these, you might be left with the suspicion that Raiden was secretly evil. Or you might like them. Who could say?

"I'm starving, so let's head through our portal to Athens and get started on our self-guided food tour!"

Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse, Thursday, Per 3

[deathsmajesty]

Messages had gone out to the students letting them know that tomorrow's lesson would involve a Danger Shop version of a spa, and so bring appropriate clothing and to message her on the side if you had any concerns. Thus, nobody should be surprised when they walked into the Danger Shop and discovered Liliana getting a manicure and a pedicure at the same time with four different attendants. There were other pedicure seats around for people to sit in, but also regular chairs as well, for people who did not wish to start their class with a mani-pedi.

To each their own and all that.

"In media, the apocalypse always happens at convenient times, even if it doesn't seem like it," she told the class. "You're either wearing clothing or have time to put some on, all the way to socks, shoes, and outer gear appropriate to the weather. If anybody is caught in the bathroom, they are inevitably a zombie put there for comedic effect or shock value. It's rare that a person - especially a main character - has to deal with the apocalypse while underdressed, or worse still, undressed."

She freed a hand and gestured to the interior of the spa. "So that's what's going to happen today. Change into whatever clothing you brought along with you, and then feel free to wander. There are pools, hot tubs, jacuzzis, saunas, showers, restaurants, and massages available to you. At some point, zombies will attack and it's your job to fight them off or escape. Pay attention in each feature you visit; are there things you can use as weapons? Ways you can slow them down? Places to hide? Do you run back to the changing area to put proper clothing on, or do you fight in a swimsuit or bathrobe? Best of luck surviving the day!"

She waved at them and then turned to begin a discussion of nail polish colors with one of the technicians.

Library, Thursday 11/13

[noonedecidesmyfate]

"I wasn't planning on reading about ghost sharks," Belle said, looking longingly at the book she'd brought with her.

The gremlin holding out a book toward her showed off its teeth and Belle sighed.

"If you insist," she said. "Were you hoping I'd read it to you?"

The gremlin nodded and plopped down at her feet.

"Very well then."