I’m not a cook. I’ve mentioned this a few times before on the blog. I love to eat and I’m happy to clean up. But you really don’t need me in the kitchen cooking.
I’m not shy about this fact, either.
Recently, I was talking with one of my friends about my lack of cooking skills. She loves to cook and thought it would be fun if we took a class together.
I mainly agreed because I wanted to spend an afternoon hanging out with her. Added bonus- if cooking was involved, eating likely would be as well.
As for the cooking part of the class, I was hoping it would be more demonstration and less hands-on.
Turns out I was wrong- but surprisingly, I had a blast!
The class we took is called Good Eats Cooking Class in at the newly opened East Bay Restaurant Supply Culinary Center in Sacramento. It’s put on by Paulette Bruce. First off, Paulette is really one of the most welcoming teachers I’ve ever met.
When I told her I had no cooking experience, she told me that was wonderful.
When I saw what we would be preparing, I questioned if Paulette had heard me correctly.
This is a gourmet cooking class.
We weren’t learning how to cook a chicken breast. It was a complete holiday meal.
On the menu:
The appetizer was Potted Shrimp with Toast. The main course was Spiced Roast Beef Tenderloin, Mashed Potato and Rutabaga al Gratin, and Roasted Fennel with Orange Zest. And dessert was Gingerbread Trifle.
Everything sounded amazing. I just wasn’t sure if I should be involved in the preparation of any of it.
Luckily, I wasn’t alone. Paulette’s classes are wonderful because they are only for small groups. The day we went there were four people total, and each of us took a dish.
Mine was most definitely the easiest- the roasted fennel.
Once we each got our tasks, we started in on our dish. Somehow Paulette kept each one of us straight. She jumped from teaching me how to cut fennel to showing someone else how to thicken a sauce. All while making us laugh and not burning the roast.
It was really inspiring.
After we were all done, each one of us presented what we made, explained how it was done, and then, of course, we all got to eat. The food was amazing! I was really blown away. Even by my fennel.
I would highly recommend Paulette’s class to anyone.
If you aren’t a strong cook, you’ll be really impressed with how you can actually make something that is gourmet and have fun doing it. If you are more advanced, this class will definitely inspire you and teach you some new skills at the same time.
The afternoon was so much fun and I just might wow my mother-in-law when my fennel dish makes a likely appearance at this year’s Thanksgiving!
Bon Appetit!
