Not all chefs are naturally born teachers,  but that’s true for any profession.  Just because you’re at the top of your game, doesn’t mean you’re the best person to impart your expertise, especially to those with very little experience.

That’s why if you’re considering taking a cooking class or cooking course you should first do your research.  You want to make sure you’re going to be learning something and stretching your hard-earned dollars as far as possible.

• A great place to start is online.  There are plenty of local review websites that thrive on user reviews that don’t hold back.  Yelp and Chowhound are two such sites.
• A few local cooking schools will often offer classes to novices like us.  The advantage of taking these classes is that you know the instructors are well-versed in teaching as well as cooking.  If you’re looking to learn about an ethnic cuisine, be sure to check out the local cultural center as many offer introductory cooking classes.

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There are tons of gadgets out there and it’s hard to know where to put your money.  Plus no one has enough storage space these days so we all want to make sure that bulky appliances aren’t gathering dust in precious real estate.  Here’s what I use most often (and by that I mean at least twice a week).  Many of these units do double duty making them indispensible.

Vita Clay Rice and Slow Cooker

I searched for a long time before finding this beloved rice and slow cooker.  I was specifically looking for a rice cooker that didn’t have a Teflon-coated interior.  As a health nut, I am not a fan of non-stick coating – it doesn’t wear well and when scratches do occur it leaches toxic chemicals into your food.  That’s why I was so pleased with the Vita Clay unit:  the natural clay pot you cook in actually enhances both the flavour and nutrients of your food by cooking foods in its own juices.  And as rice makers go, this really does make perfect rice.  I love that this unit doubles as a slow cooker which is one less item to buy and store.

Hand Blender/Mixer

I really like the hand blender because it tucks neatly away in our drawers.  It’s perfect for pureeing soups and even whipping up smoothies. Depending on the unit you choose, many come with different attachments including whisks and beaters to help your food prep go even faster.

Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer and Attachments

If you’re a big time home baker, this versatile machine will simplify and speed up your yummy projects.  My recommendation is to buy a second mixing bowl for those days when you’re baking up a storm or those complex recipes that call for various batters, icing or fillings.

We use the pasta attachments a lot too, at least twice a month.  Fresh pasta when you have the mixer to make the dough and the attachments to do the work of rolling and cutting your pasta is easy and absolutely delicious.  This is our family’s favourite attachment by far.  It’s also a good deal when you consider how much a good pasta machine would set you back. Read more…

Do you know someone about to move out on their own for the first time?  Or perhaps it’s you that’s the budding chef?  With so many big and little appliances and gadgets on the market, it can be hard to figure out what you really need.  But rest assured, you don’t need fancy gadgetry to excel in the kitchen.  Indeed some of the best gadgets are those that you barely give second thought to; those items without which, cooking would go slower, be more of a chore. Good basics can help you learn great technique, can do double duty, and keep nutrients where they should be, in your food.  This can free you up to allow yourself to get lost in the sensual experience of cooking, be it meditative, creative, or just plain fun!

Here’s my top list:

Good Quality Knives

Sharp knives will absolutely elevate your experience in the kitchen.  To breeze through your chopping, dicing and slicing without nicking a finger or using all your energy just to saw through your ingredients seems simple enough, but if you’ve ever used bad knives you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.  The most expensive professional sets are pretty pricey, running in the thousands of dollars.  But don’t fret you only need a few high quality staples that run around the $100 range or less, when on sale.  While you may find a great deal online, do your research in a kitchen supply shop as knife buying is a personal experience.  The weight and size of the instrument is important and will depend on your hand size, hand strength and just plain preference.  As for which knife basics to start with: a paring knife, a chef’s knife, and a butcher’s knife will serve pretty much all of your cooking purposes.

Stainless Steel Colander

Seems simple I know, but a good colander will probably never make it into your cupboard it will always be in use.  From rinsing fruits and veggies, everything from berries to salad greens, to sifting flour, steaming veggies, even extracting the solids from custards and coulis, the colander is a hardworking, multipurpose item.  Buy one with expandable handles for even more convenience. Read more…

Are you considering cooking classes?  Maybe you’re a pretty good home cook but want to really hone your skills.  Or perhaps it’s a particular type of cooking that you’d like to learn, like how to perfect pastry or master the great curries of Indian cuisine.  Cooking classes are a great way to get out of your comfort zone, break out of your kitchen rut.  Whatever your reason, dust off those aprons and enrol in a class!

Chicago is a great food city and there are a range of choices for cooking lessons.  From classes that cater to singles to cuisines from around the globe, Chicago’s food scene offers it all. Here are some reviews from a select few of Chicago’s offerings.

1. Cook Au Vin

2256 N Elston Ave
(at Honore St)
Chicago, IL 60614
Neighborhood: Bucktown

(773) 489-3141

www.cook-au-vin.com

Love love love this place! The food that we prepared was wonderful! The preparation tricks that I learned will go with me for a lifetime.
Scott was incredible. He was very helpful and made class fun! The people that were in the class were also very cool! We made some great friends!
I look forward to taking more classes here!

If you have not been, GO GO GO NOW!

- Bindi D.

Chicago, IL Read more…