Class Action

Some are still confused about what happens at a cooking class here at Sunnybrae.
It’s a well known principle that what happens in class stays in class. So I can’t tell you the best bits like the the request for a blow [torch] job for the rice pudding or Daniel’s Monkey Mia joke and such but here’s a few clues. Don’t worry we also cook with some focus.
We have fun, learn a few things, muck up a bit and always sit down to a memorable lunch that has brought out some wonderful stories from our guests. I always learn some great tips, culinary trivia and special techniques from our visitors. And hopefully they receive the same.
Over the yearsI have given and been to many classes. With this new format I wanted to create an atmosphere of camaraderie, a discovery of some unusual special seasonal ingredients, use some less familiar meats and seafood, but most importantly breakdown the barriers that can hold back learning. We do this by treating the class exactly how it is; that is, cooking a special seasonal multicourse lunch to be ready by 1.30. I teach the principles that lead to an understanding of why a dish works rather than looking at a strict recipe and show practical ways of co-ordinating the timing to keep stress levels at a minimum. Home cooks and professionals for that matter are often at a loss to work out how to time the preparation and plating.
We begin with a coffee and short discussion that starts to build a group dynamic and by the end of the class many new friends are made. Cooking together does that. A skilled surgeon working with a grandmother, while her granddaughter works with a retired policeman. There are no barriers in the kitchen you need a good sense of humor, and take a bit of guidance. The ability to tell a good yarn is as good as a perfect brioche. We try to get to the finer details of bread, stocks, where to get stuff all the while keeping the time in perspective while double peeling the chestnuts and shaping the bread.
The when, how much, what to bring and so on can be found on the right sidebar. Its every Monday but we are going for a short break so the next available classes are from June 8 which is the Queen’s Birthday weekend.

And then there’s the Sex Kitten Salon but that’s another story.