What I'm Packing for Summer at Culinary School
A peek into my suitcase as I travel to Ireland for 6 weeks.
Hi Food & Stuff friends!
Today’s post is leaning into the “& STUFF” side of my FOOD & STUFF newsletter as I share all about what I’m packing to spend 6 weeks in Ireland. I had some folks express interest and curiousity in knowing what I’m packing, and I love lists like these, too, so I thought it would be fun to share. I hope you enjoy it! (Note: Because of all the photos I include, this post is very long and will likely need to be viewed in your browser if you’re not reading it in the Substack app.)
There are only 10 days to go until I board a plane and head to Ireland for a 5-week summer course at Ballymaloe Cookery School! As I approach the final stretch of preparation, my focus remains on how to efficiently and effectively pack my suitcase for about 6 weeks of travel. This weekend, I did a trial run of packing my suitcase (I’m fun at parties) and was pleased that everything fit with room to spare! This is what I was hoping for, because:
Packing light makes me feel morally superior to those who do not pack light, as it can serve as a signifier of my disinterest in materialism and adoption of a carefree attitude, which I definitely, 100% have, as my organized Google Spreadsheet and packing trial run can attest to.
Ultimately, I’d like to leave some space for bringing home my knives, that is—my set of Victorinox Knives that I ordered through the school to use in the kitchen. In addition to my fancy new knives, I also wanted suitcase space for
gifts for family and friends and any thrifted trinkets/bits and bobs/small piglets, ducklings, etc.. I am admittedly anxious about bringing home foreign knives though, tbh, but considering that I will be returning to AMURICA with knives poses less of a problem, because, after all, this is the land of the free and home of the brave, where weapons are decidedly better than fists…unless you are of a certain political persuaion and the fist is the raised fist of a certain man during a certain assassination attempt circa summer 2024. FBI, if you’re reading this, please do not reject me upon my attempted re-entry into the United States in September!!!!
As I mentioned, before packing my suitcase, I made a Google spreadsheet with the categories of items I’d be bringing. Why? Because I make lists when I am feeling emotionally unsettled and need some semblance of control and calm. I have literally discussed this tendency at therapy! Anyways, the aforementioned spreadsheet categories included:
TOPS: Long-sleeve, short-sleeve, sweaters
BOTTOMS: Shorts, pants, athletic
RUNNING: Tops, bottoms, accessories
CASUAL: For when I need to go goblin mode
JACKETS: Fashion, utility
DRESSES: For when I need to serve fire looks
SCHOOL UNIFORM: My chef coat, pants, and shoes
SHOES: Is less more or is more more?
ACCESSORIES: Jewelry, bags, scarves
TOLIETRIES: Make-up + products I’m not buying there
BACKPACK STUFF: I’m talking books, cords, writing utensils, my camping spork, etc.
OTHER: Catch-all category
So without further delay, here’s what I have put into my suitcase, complete with photos and short descriptions.
Tops
Long-sleeved tops ended up including 4 button-ups (button-downs?), including 1 linen blue and one striped number, a pink and white Oxford cloth shirt, a plain white oversized shirt, and a cute thrifted embroidered small striped number.
Since the weather is on the cooler side, I packed only a few short-sleeved tops, including a black linen button-up, a gingham embroidered cutesy top, and a basic navy soft tee, which I also have in black and white and may bring, too, because I have plenty of space.
For sweaters, I packed a thrifted nineties primary-colored striped sweater and a great oversized fisherman knit cream sweater from L.L. Bean.
Bottoms
The weather will be mostly in the sixties (Fahrenheit, don’t ask me for what that is in Celsius because I’m in denial that I will be on an entirely different system of measurement in literally every way imaginable), so I’m packing two pairs of casual shorts. I packed a pair of classic distressed denim jorts from Abercrombie and some cream carpenter shorts from Gap.
For pants, (did you know in Europe that “pants” means underpants?! Embarrassing…) I opted for a pair of brown-orange carpenter pants, tan linen trousers, and light wash wide leg jeans. Will I panic pack another pair of pants? Maybe. Probably. We’ll see.
Running
For running clothes, I packed 5 pairs of shorts, including my beloved REI 5” shorts in black and green, as well as 6 tops, including 2 singlets and my long-sleeve Brighton Base Layer from Tracksmith, which is a merino wool workhorse and perfect for all manner of recreation. I also packed two running hats as well as my hydration vest, for my long adventures via foot or bike. I may or may not be hoping to run (for fun, not speed) a half marathon my second weekend in Ireland, so I needed some tried and true garments that can go the distance.
Casual
In the casual-wear category, I packed one pair of L.L.Bean Vista Camp pants (great for hiking/walking) and one pair of gray sweatpants. I also packed two of my favorite sweatshirts, including a very American one that may or may not get me some judgmental looks. Maybe I can wear it through Customs when I have to explain to them that I am reentering the country with a set of 8 very sharp knives! I also packed four of my favorite t-shirts, including my beloved “Coffee Club” podcast shirt, which I always hope will help me make niche running friends whenever I wear it, but it has yet to deliver. And of course my Jakob Ingebrigtsen shirt that reads “I AM THE PACEMAKER” which is a bit bold, but oh so fun. I hope someone at culinary school likes running! Lastly, I packed my Andy Squryes tee because I hope it creates some convos with new school friends about what it means to love Jesus and love Baja Blasts.
Jackets
I am packing three jackets (sorry, the third jacket is pictured with my swimsuit, which definitely is like, the opposite of a jacket), including two beloved thrift finds from this year. I really love the checked plaid hoodie, as it’s a nice wool blend, and the denim chore coat will be great with other tops and the dresses I packed. I also packed my trusty L.L. Bean rain coat, which has previously served me well in Ireland a few years back on my hike on the Dingle Way. Also, because it’s in the picture, the swimsuit is L.L. Bean, and a grandma could wear it, but so can I, because their swimwear is timeless and I am a grandma at heart.
Dresses
I am packing just two dresses because I don’t think I need more than that. However, I’m open to thrifting something fun if I need more! Nevertheless, I love these dresses and think both will serve me well in the comfort and style they provide.
School Uniform
Each student is required to have a kitchen uniform (AKA, my “chef whites”) which includes two white long-sleeved chef coats, two pairs of cotton checkered chef pants, and non-slip kitchen shoes or clogs. Transparently, I ordered these Hoka Bondi non-slip, spill-resistant sneakers because I knew they would be most comfy for me, but then I noticed that so many chef/chef types seem to wear clogs, so then I ordered like 5+ pairs of clogs to try. But here’s the thing: none of the clogs felt as comfortable as the Hokas, and I just knew I should stick with my original, totally acceptable footwear plan. I also bought like 75 different combos of pants and jackets to find ones that felt good and affordable to me. I didn’t picture them, but I also bought some basic white undershirts to wear under my uniform.
Shoes
Shoes are the hardest. I honestly have room for more shoes and might pack an extra pair of Chacos, but for now, I have one dressier pair of leather Nisolo sandals, my Asics Novablast running shoes, Nisolo court sneakers, and my brown Birkenstocks.
Accessories
I am a big fan of a little scarf, whether it’s worn in the hair or around the neck like a cute little sailor. They are really compact but add a lot of bang to your outfit buck!
For other accessories, I am packing two hats (obviously my Kerrygold Butter Club hat), my cross-body sling bag, a canvas tote, and a large black backpack.
Backpack Stuff
Speaking of that black backpack, backpack stuff is stuff I will keep in that backpack, BUT this picture isn’t inclusive of everything that will probably eventually end up in that backpack. I contain multitudes and so does my backpack!!! For now, I am packing writing implements (pens, highlighter, colored pencils, mechanical pencil, pencil sharpener), post-it notes (so handy), my Canon PowerShot SX730 point-and-shoot, a Leuchtturm notebook (my first of the brand), my NIV Bible, East of Eden (my maiden voyage!), and a collection of Wendell Berry poems. I also have a request in my library for a novel by an Irish author named Niall Williams titled Four Letters of Love. We’ll see if it comes in time!
Tolietries
I will buy other basic toiletries once I’m there, but here are some items I like and didn’t want to risk leaving behind, such as my clinical strength deodorant because Lord knows I need it!! In terms of skin care, Cera Ve is really all I use. I am getting older and therefore I wonder if I should use more, but for now, I do not care. Cera Ve will do! For makeup, I Glossier Boy Brow pencil and gel are a God-send, and I really like the Merit complexion stick and Ilia blush. And hot pink nail polish, for my toes!
Other Stuff!
I don’t have a picture of items that fall into this category, but it includes items like phone charger, collapsible laundry hamper, my water bottle, LMNT packets, stationery, etc. Speaking of stationary, if you are interested in sending me mail and, in turn, receiving mail from me during my stay in Ireland, we can make that happen! I would honestly love that. Send me mail at cooking camp!!!
Grace Leuenberger
C/O Ballymaloe Cookery School
Shanagarry, Co Cork P25 R274 Ireland
I hope you enjoyed this packing post! If you have any feedback, do roast me share in the comments! I’m happy to get any tips or tricks from others who have traveled long stretches of time.
On that note, a little housekeeping: I will be less online than normal during the weeks ahead as I attempt to be really present and enjoy the experience in Ireland. That being said, I really do enjoy keeping in touch with people, so feel free to send me an email or a message via Substack (or REAL MAIL, please!!!). I’m hoping to log on one weekend day per week to write a recap post of that week!
I’ll greet you from the other side of the pond!
Until then,
Grace
Grace, I'm a big carry nerd and loved reading through this list!
Extra jealous of your L.L. Bean bags and also, your jackets are *chefs kiss*
Have a blast at culinary school!
I just LOVE everything you write and cannot wait to follow along on this fun adventure 🎉