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To be happy, you just need to focus on the little things in life and it seems that cooking and treating your tastebuds right is the goal of more and more people. Just count the number of television cooking shows that make our mouths water while we watch them. As I love good food, I decided to also become a chef for a day and wake up the chef that was sleeping in me by subscribing to a cooking class. |
How does it work ?
Step n° 1 : The Reservation
I went on a website that was offering cooking classes and dishes that I could take home with me so I could select my menu from seasonal recipies. I then reserved a date and time.
My menu :
Entrée : Clam pie with avacado and citronella
Main dish : Roast salmon with raw ham and pickled tomatoes
Dessert : Mystery cake with chocolate and spices
Makes your mouth water, eh?
Step n°2 : Action !
I was right on time that day and welcomed by 2 chefs in a nice contemporary kitchen. They gave me a pretty apron to put on. Then I spent 1 hour going from one workshop to another to create each one of the three recipes. The ingredients are available already semi-prepared in the middle of a table to save time. All you need to do is follow the receipe and the chefs' tips.
It's not really difficult.
Step n°3 : Cooking and eating the meal
After all this, I left the workshop with my meal and a free bottle of wine. Once I got home, I put all of the food to cook while keeping an eye on the clock...very important! as I wanted to eat in order. Since everything had to be cooked, my dinner turned out to be an hour and a half long.
So here are some photographs of my creations!
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I have to admit that the Mystery Cake doesn't look very tasty and looks like a cheeseburger without the bread...The fault being that I cooked it in my microwave oven...oh well, we don't all have a professional kitchen ;-)
So how about what it tastes like? It was almost perfect.Entrée : 7/10, it was good and would be great for those people who like mixing unconventional flavours.
Main dish : 8/10, very simple to cook up and a new way to eat salmon (I've made it 3 times since I went!)
Dessert : 5/10, it was a bit dry after cooking; and it tasted better than it looked but I still ate it!
Step n°4 : Redo the recipes (alone) to amaze and delight your family and friends.
Because the goal was also to discover new recipes and know how to use them again. The cooking centre always sends all of the recipes that were done (with cooking tips included). So just invite some friends over, cook up a storm and then while you serve them all add, "Oh, I make this all the time."
Verdict ?
The (+) :
- An original and convivial experience that you can have with your companion, or with friends!
- Original and easy recipies that you can add to your cookbook.
- Real professional kitchen utensils.
- And what's best of all is that there aren't any dishes to wash!
The (-) :
- It can be expensive. Count at least 30 euros per person and for promotions, take a look online and maybe you'll be lucky!
- It reminds us a bit of high school Chemistry class. We follow the recipe while the chef looks on.
- Cooking time, which is necessary (unless you like eating your food raw). You'll need to plan it in your evening!
There are great places to go a bit everywhere in France
So whatever your reason may be, here are 3 good addresses so that you, too, can get off on a good start with cooking great meals!
And for those who like to cook daily; who like the good old recipes as well as the new ones, the cooking website that you just HAVE to go to see is www.marmiton.org
