Cooking Classes

solsovly

So I've gotten pretty bored lately. I usually show up a 9-5, head to the gym till around 7 and have dinner by 7:30. Lately most of my friends have been pretty busy and I've gone back to playing MMO's to fill the time. I'd rather do something productive with my time which brings me to...

Cooking. I suck at it. I tried doing some searches online very quickly and can only find cooking institutions for degrees. Are there general classes you could take to improve yourself? Something that isn't as intensive as full time/part time schooling. I'm not looking for a degree, just some guidance in the kitchen (more than watching the food network). I'm in CT if that makes a difference.

Kate of Lokys

Check the community colleges in your area. If they have any sort of hospitality and tourism programs, they'll probably offer some general interest cooking classes as well - non-degree, just simple 12-16 hour courses. Here's an example description from my local college, just to give you an idea of what might be available:

Gourmet Cooking 1 (HOSP 0008)

The chef will demonstrate a three-course menu and coach each participant as they recreate these dishes. Tricks of the trade will be incorporated into each class to have students cooking like professionals. At the course conclusion, participants will have the knowledge and skills to prepare 12 separate dishes which can be combined to create numerous menus for entertaining with gourmet flair.

EggyToast

Buy The Joy Of Cooking. It goes into a lot of detail about the basics of food, the basics of cooking, and what different terms mean and how to cook. Take a look at it in the bookstore to see if it's up your alley, but there are a lot of good, basic recipes that are the cornerstone of more complex dishes, and there's good instruction in there to help you learn on your own.

solsovly

EggyToast wrote: »

Buy The Joy Of Cooking. It goes into a lot of detail about the basics of food, the basics of cooking, and what different terms mean and how to cook. Take a look at it in the bookstore to see if it's up your alley, but there are a lot of good, basic recipes that are the cornerstone of more complex dishes, and there's good instruction in there to help you learn on your own.

While I don't hate learning by myself out of a book, I'd rather have the social aspect of being around other people when I cook. (Primarily the reason for wanting to learn to cook, to entertain others) I do enough learning through books and materials for my job as it is.

I'll check out the book though and look into the community college route as well. Thanks guys.

Six

The best way to learn how to cook is to cook. Taking a class or getting some good cookbooks are a good idea, but it's even easier than that to start. Think about something you'd like to make - a roast chicken, or a batch of tomato sauce for pasta, whatever - and google a recipe and then just make it. If you find a term you don't understand (peel, v. to remove the skin), look it up. Sure, you might end up making something awful, but even so you'll learn a lot. Read through the recipe first and make sure you have any tools you might need (pots, pants, measuring cups) and that you know what all of the ingredients are. Often recipe sites will have a comments section where you can read the experiences of others following the same recipe, which can be really helpful and give you some ideas as far as substituting one ingredient for another or what problems you might in to.

Good luck

SniperGuy

I actually just got into a "learn to cook" binge. I highly suggest the Cooking for Dummies book. You may feel retarded buying it, but it reads quite well and is EXTREMELY informative.

bigpanda

Check your local colleges, they might have a short 1 term class that's not accredited. Other than that see if you have something like a PCC Market, Whole Foods, or something along those lines. In Seattle PCC Market has cooking classes which looked pretty good but being on a budget I haven't taken them yet.

PirateJon

Alton brown's books *ESPECIALLY* "I'm just here for the food." Also the show 'good eats'. Also the show 'Americas test kitchen" and the mag http://www.cooksillustrated.com/.

In addition to local colleges and whole foods, call high end kitchen supply stores and ask them. In my area $60 get s you a 90 minute class with a pro chef. like so.. http://www.mavericksouthernkitchens.com/cooks/classes.html


Also get good gear. Not expensive gear, good gear. You will need to find a resturant supply store.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/09/dining/09mini.html?ex=1180065600&en=b323ebeb547cce9f&ei=5070
(free login - or use bugmenot).

One place to splurge is on this pan: nickel-plated cast iron skillet. $100 and worth it. All the awesome of cast iron, plus it doesn't need seasoning, can be dishwashed or cleaned with steel wool. SO awesome. http://www.chefsresource.com/nickel-plated-skillet-13-inch.html

Omnicron9999

Alton Brown's books = amazing.

They don't just tell you how to cook, they tell you why things work they way they do when you cook. They are divided by cooking method, and give you a few recipies that enforce the knowledge about that cooking method. After a few attempts at them you will be able to apply it to anything.

Where are you from in CT?

solsovly

Omnicron9999 wrote: »

Alton Brown's books = amazing.

They don't just tell you how to cook, they tell you why things work they way they do when you cook. They are divided by cooking method, and give you a few recipies that enforce the knowledge about that cooking method. After a few attempts at them you will be able to apply it to anything.

Where are you from in CT?

Northern Windsor part of CT.

While I appreciate the recommendations for books and what not. I think I will check into some local colleges. The social aspect of taking a class and meeting people is important in addition to learning to cook for fun.

Omnicron9999

solsovly wrote: »

Omnicron9999 wrote: »

Alton Brown's books = amazing.

They don't just tell you how to cook, they tell you why things work they way they do when you cook. They are divided by cooking method, and give you a few recipies that enforce the knowledge about that cooking method. After a few attempts at them you will be able to apply it to anything.

Where are you from in CT?

Northern Windsor part of CT.

While I appreciate the recommendations for books and what not. I think I will check into some local colleges. The social aspect of taking a class and meeting people is important in addition to learning to cook for fun.

If you feel like driving (and enjoy japanese food) there is an amazing cooking class taught in Middletown at an adult learning annex type thing, associated with a restaurant called Mikado. You should be able to google it.

Closer to your area, Manchester Community College has some really good classes. I've never taken any there, but I have heard good things.

solsovly

Omnicron9999 wrote: »

If you feel like driving (and enjoy japanese food) there is an amazing cooking class taught in Middletown at an adult learning annex type thing, associated with a restaurant called Mikado. You should be able to google it.

Closer to your area, Manchester Community College has some really good classes. I've never taken any there, but I have heard good things.

Great, I'll take a look at these. Thanks for your help.