ARRIVAL TIME
We usually have a lot to cover so we will start promptly. We recommend you arrive about 5 minutes prior to class time to don your apron, wash your hands, grab a beverage, etc.
CLOTHING
Wear something comfortable and easy to move in. While it is hard to limit shoes to closed toes in Florida, please be aware that you will be walking around and we really do cook so spills are possible. In other words, leave those sexy slingbacks at home!
REFRESHMENTS
We will be eating the items we make in class so plan accordingly on class day. It would be a shame to have just eaten dinner and not be able to sample what you have just lovingly created. Of course, such an oversight does leave leftovers for staff!
One complimentary glass of wine or beer is included in the price of your class. We will also have complimentary soft drinks, water and coffee. If you would like additional adult beverages, please feel free to bring them in.
CLASS FORMAT
All items on the evening's menu are created from start to finish by the class attendees. Tasks are shared by the students so that while you may not be doing each task, you will see them as they are being completed. We do not separate into groups with one group making an appetizer, a second the entree and another the dessert. You will leave class knowing how to recreate each recipe at home.
TYPES OF CLASSES
While all classes are open to anyone who wishes to attend, because of student requests, we have begun to "specialize" some of our classes. In order to help you choose which classes to attend, we are going to be grouping some ideas together and highlighting them as such on our Class Schedule.
WEEKNIGHT WIZARDRY
These classes will focus on quick but flavorful dishes perfect for cooking during the week after a day at the office or carpooling to after school activities. Our goal is to have you in and out in about 60 minutes with a couple of go to recipes in your bag of tricks.
LIGHT HEARTED
Ever notice how low fat and healthy requires a laundry list of ingredients to make it tasty. That stops right here. Light and healthy dishes which still pack a ton of flavor prepared using quick cooking techniques is our modus operandi. We are again trying to make these 60 minutes classes.
TECHNIQUES
Particular styles of cooking such as roasting, sauteeing, poaching, cutting or saucemaking. While we will prepare recipes in these classes, they will not be appetizer to dessert as many of our classes are. There will also be more specific discussion of the techniques involved. Our goal is to have you master a technique which you can easily transfer to a variety of fruits, vegetables and proteins.
WEEKEND WORKSHOPS
Classes will be held, surprise, on a Saturday or Sunday and will be of longer duration (5-6 hours) than the majority of our classes. We will focus either on a region such as New Orleans which will include long cooking red beans, a speciality such as bread making which will require watching bread rise (literally!) or creating from scratch pasta. Food which is prepared in class will, for the most part, be taken home. A pre-made snack is included in the session price. Do expect some down time in these classes. If you can belly dance, play spoons or make a gum wrapper chain, please feel free to share!
INGREDIENTS
Classes will provide a more in-depth look at a particular ingredient. We will discuss variety and seasonality as well as various methods of preparation. While we promise you will leave full, these classes may or may not include a appetizer to dessert depending on the ingredient.
IMPROVISATION
These will be very adventurous classes and while anyone can attend, we will be focusing more on cooking without the aid of a recipe. We will examine a variety of commonly associated flavor combinations and then, as a class, discuss ways in which to use the ingredients to create a dish. Topics may be regional such as Italian or Mexican or may be as general as vinaigrettes and their variations. Depending on the creative juices of the students, the food prepared in class may or may not constitute a full meal.
And, of course, we will still offer a large variety of our typical fun filled, flavor packed and educational classes such as out of the ordinary vegetables, the ever popular appetizer classes, fish and seafood, regional cooking from New Orleans, California, Spain, tossed in with Game Day, Baking 101 and the like. Each class features at least three related recipes.
