This week, I faced a steep learning curve. Before I set foot in the Cookshop classroom, I didn't know what consomme was, had never de-boned a chicken or fileted a fish, and didn't know how to "reduce" a sauce. To say that I learned a lot this week is a vast understatement. I have a completely new appreciation for the art of making food!
The Cookshop is located in City Square Mall, at 12th and Cambie. Each day, a local chef or culinary educator takes on a new topic (burgers, desserts, etc.) or type of cuisine (Tuscan, Thai, etc.). I decided to embark on the week-long "Fundamentals of Cooking Level I" - essentially boot camp for cooking newbies. The prospect of learning the basics of cooking in one week was intimidating, but I felt I was up for the challenge.
And a challenge it was! We covered what seemed to be an endless range of cooking topics, including knife skills, stocks and sauces, red meat, poultry, and seafood, with a few random extras mixed in. Chef Eric, who teaches at the Cookshop and at UBC, as well as online (www.911cheferic.com), mixes epicurean expertise with comedic anecdotes to create a comfortable atmosphere for his students. His courses and online tutorials come highly recommended to anyone who is new to cooking, as well as to those who hope to build on their existing skills.
The Cookshop offers an impressive variety of courses, and at the moment has a 2 for 1 deal - sign up with a friend and only pay the price of one person. Most of the three-hour classes range from $59-$139, so the cost is quite affordable.
The course has left me inspired and excited. Tonight I am going to recreate the stuffed chicken recipe we made. I'll let you know how it goes!
www.911cheferic.com
www.cookshop.ca
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