Cooking Classes for kids (and adults too!)

Fancy having breakfast, lunch or dinner made for you by your kids? …. time to send them to a cooking class at Friends in the Kitchen!

These fun 2 hour sessions are for both girls and boys aged 6-7 years, and 8-10 years on selected Saturdays 11.45 - 1.45pm.

With a maximum of ten children per class, each child has a work station and classes have varied topics.

Children are instructed how to prepare dishes and learn important culinary techniques including preparation from beginning to end.

Kids will prepare a variety of dishes including breakfast egg dishes through to muffins, pasta and sauces and sushi making.

Kids will also learn basic knife skills, how to hold and cut safely and how to prepare fruit and vegetables. Students get to eat their own creations and are treated to fresh fruit and healthy snacks during class time.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST: To register your interest in the kids Saturday classes please contact Annette Pien on 0403 113 039

JUNE / JULY SCHOOL HOLIDAY TIMETABLE (6-10 years. Boys & Girls)

28 June – Tuesday. Main course and dessert. In this class students will learn how to make a dessert and prepare and cook a main course dish. Lesson 1: Food Preparation – care and use of knives
29 June – Wednesday – Breads and Chicken. In this class students will learn how to make a few different breads as well as well as preparing a delicious chicken dish. Lesson 2: Methods of Preparation, cutting and general kitchen safety
4 July – Monday High Tea. In this class students will learn how to prepare elements of a delicious high tea menu – included: tea sandwiches with different fillings, scones, and mini desserts. Lesson 3: How to lay a table and tips regarding table etiquette
5 July – Tuesday Homemade pasta and pasta sauce. Students will make a fresh pasta from scratch and will learn to make a delicious pasta sauce to accompany the pasta. Lesson 4: The origins of pasta

All classes are $55.00 per student per class.

Bookings for all four classes that are prepaid in advance $195.00 —per child,( Siblings $150.00 per child, per family). Classes begin at 9:00 am and end at 12 noon.

Classes are for girls and boys between the ages of 6 and 10 years.

Classes take place in a private home in Dover Heights.

Classes are designed to be educational and fun; Hands-on cooking activities, each child will participate by measuring, peeling, mixing and preparation.

Class size – maximum of 10 children per group. Friends In The Kitchen must be notified of any allergies 2 days prior to the class commencing.

No refunds on bookings – a credit note will be issued for use towards a future class.

Adult Cooking Classes: are offered on various week nights as well as Saturdays to accommodate everyone.

Cooking class subjects for 2011 are jam packed with different options. With classes like Indian Cooking, “Cheating “ in the kitchen to BBQ and beer tasting for Fathers Day, and Light and healthy cooking – the choice is expansive.

To book or register your interest in Friends in the Kitchen's Adults Cooking Classes, please contact Annette Pien on 0403 113 039

Italian Cooking Class

This past Thursday we hosted an Italian Cooking class focusing on some of our most favorite Tuscan dishes. We had 14 guests attend the class and Lynette and myself were cooking up a storm in the kitchen. We had one of our guests Eva assisting along with Janine who appeared and disappeared as quickly. The friends in the kitchen guests were welcomed with a warm and delicious Tomato and Bread Soup  (Pappa al pomodoro) that was ready upon arrival. The kitchen then fired up dish after dish and this is what was made:  Duck Ragu with pappardelle pasta sourced in Haberfield at La Pasteria www.lapasteria.com.au Other dishes made were: Rosemary and olive focaccia bread, Fagoili ala Rachelle (a oven baked bean dish with a wicked balsamic marinade and rosemary sprigs), panzanella salad, fennel, pomegranatee, orange segments, buffalo mozzarella cheese with a white balsamic and lemon dressing, and a delicious torta di ricotta e nocciole (flourless hazelnut and ricotta cake) that we made from a recipe given to me by Lucio restaurant in Paddington Sydney. It was delicious!

Our next cooking class will take place in a few weeks and between now and then I will continue to post information regarding my daily food adventures and where to find what to eat. Happy eating. xxx

You should try this one .......

On Saturday night we (the happy couple and two friends) had a great dinner out at "Time to Vino" that has recently moved from Surry Hills to Potts Point. After eating what I rate as one of my favorite gnocchi dishes - I have the scoop for you.  
     While we were there I spoke to our waiter who was happy to chat about the move to Potts Point and about their head chef. Scott Mason has cooked at some of the best in Sydney with the likes of Bistro Moncur, Level 41, Rockpool and a short stint at Bianco on his dial.

More about what we ate:  10 Hour Roast Rump steak served with crispy dutch creme potatoes and merchant sauce - amazing beyond delicious. Also: Ricotta gnocchi, roast green olives, zucchini, sage and tomato sugo  - ditto!
We drank:  a 2010 Goaty Hill Pinot Noir (Tamar Valley, TAS)

After our awsome food and dinner chatter I find out that our friend who is having dinner with us is off to El Bulli - Spain next month for one of the final meals that will be prepared by Ferran Adria and his team under the El Bulli banner before it is converted into a food institute. How do I deal with this information. Green with envy!

Needless to say in the next few minutes I try hard to work on an angle that could get myself included and invited to this fine occasion. However regardless of the fact that I may unlikely qualify for the opportunity to be a part of the three luckly people in the party (now in my dreams perhaps four) we workout that it will cost me no less than $4000 to go there have dinner and return to Australia. And that does not include any duty free shopping.  Perhaps another time and another place.
A girl can still dream....................................yes,.........! :) 

(02) 9380 4252
2-14 Kings Cross Road
Potts Pointinfo@timetovino.com

mailto:www.friendsinthekitchen@facebook.com

Update on what's happening at Friends in the kitchen

Hi,
The past few weeks have really been a bit quiet here at Friends in the Kitchen - other than our Indian cooking class I've been trying to process the death of my father Ellie. Although this is not a topic that I would generally delve into on my blog it is a part of life and one that has affected my mood and activity here in the kitchen.

My dad was a wonderful, funny and loving person. He very much enjoyed living in Sydney with our extended family and especially his kids and his grandchildren. I can only hope that time will heal the gaping hole that his passing has left in my life.

 He lived to laugh, eat, cook and also made a host of special food that he was quite well know for across the globe. He also spent much of his time in Australia meeting new friends, cultivating herb gardens, growing plants, passion fruit vines, tomatoes, celery, spring onions, lemon trees, beets, rocket and orchids to mention but only a few of his favourites. Another one of his specialties was making smoked fish - all this at his house in the suburbs.

He had a great relationship with Woody the owners of a gem of a fruit and vegetable shop in Bondi Junction called "Good Fruits" (380 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction) where he bought loads of cucumbers for pickling as well as strawberries and apricots from which he and my mum made the most delicious jams and sold it for charity. Of course Woody always has exceptionally good prices and that was always a priority for dad - to get a good deal!

Food, eating, celebrating and planning our next meal is always the topic of conversation in our home. As soon as one meal has been consumed, plans, ideas, recipes, new food products, food producers, restaurants, menu's and who is making what becomes the new topic of conversation. It is my sincere hope that those of you reading this blog will continue to follow Friends in the kitchen as we plan, cook, review and enjoy this wonderful subject that is feeding our soul and nourishing our mind and spirit.

On the day that my dad passed away a very special friend and rabbi in Sydney came to see my dad. Jeffrey Kamins often visited my dad in hospital as he does for so many other people on a daily basis.  My father looked at Jeffrey and said the following:     " Live everyday as if it's your last, because one day you may be right."  It is one of the last things that he said to us.

Thank you all for spending your time reading this blog and I encourage you to join us in future for a lot more news, both happy and exciting as I continue my exploration into a subject that brings light and happiness to so many of us.  

Our Indian Cooking Class

I consider Lynette a Masterchef in the kitchen.

Lynette is an amazing lady, she taught at Le Cordon Bleu in London and Indian is her thing, her speciality - she is absolutely passionate about the cuisine from this region.

 I am so happy I met her, because she brought such warmth and heart to the kitchen.

Lynette taught us the recipes and techniques for Chicken Korma, Dal Makhani (Creamy Black Dal) made with black lentils which originated in Punjab and Sukha Alu - Potato Curry. 

We had an incredible night preparing the food thanks to Lynette's expertise and we tucked into the delicious dishes afterwards.

A good night was had by all and I cannot wait for the next Cooking Class on Saturday June 11 - Italian Cooking – Explore Tuscan cooking in the suburbs of Sydney



Potato Curry in the making



Potato Curry with rice



Black Dal



Chicken Korma

Chicken Curry ready to eat!

Have a look at the class schedule for 2011 to whet your appetites!

To make a booking please call Annette on 0403 113 039 / sms / or contact FITK at mrscapetown@gmail.com

Indian Cooking Class

Hi there to our "Friends in the Kitchen",

We are looking forward to having you join us for our Indian Cooking Class this Wednesday at 7:00 pm. Our class will be presented by Lynette McDonald who is a dynamic personality as well as being a excellent cook. Lynette has taught at the Cordon Bleu Cooking School in London and her passion for Indian cooking runs at fever pitch. Some of the dishes that she will be making are: Chaas - A savoury yogurt sorbet, Sukha Alu - potatoes, chicken korma, vegetable curry, etc.....

Places for this class are still available - so contact us to book your spot.

Class includes dinner as it is prepared, wine and sparlking water.

Bring your appetite and enjoy! Kind Regards,

Contact Annette at mrscapetown@gmail.com to make a booking

Kids are having fun in the kitchen too...

Hi there, April is always a busy time as we prepare our classes for the kids in our lives. With school holidays, Passover and Easter there is so much to do. Putting on cooking classes for kids is however very rewarding as they are eager learners and are so happy to be handling ingredients. Simple everyday tasks like cracking a egg and making their own scrambled eggs from beginning to end in a stress free environment makes for a very fun experience. The occasional egg does land up on the floor however the kids take it in their stride and have a good laugh. Whisking, mixing and writing down their own recipes to take home create a great sense of satisfaction for them as well. They learn techniques and are all given the chance to prepare and cook their dishes from start to finish. We find that classes work best when the participants are close in age e.g. between 6 - 8 years of age. That way they are all on the same page and the results are very good.