So it looks like my evil plan is coming to fruition. The Berkeley CDOP program has approved my application to take cooking classes from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. I had been wanting to take these forever, but could not bring myself or my mother to pay the $625 fee. I am so excited. Ha! I make Berkeley pay through the nose! Well not really, but I am so excited I'm getting something for free and fun out of them before I leave forever! mu ha ha!
For those who are interested these are the five classes I am taking:
T H E “ E S S E N T I A L S ” S E R I E S
The “Essentials” Series spans the techniques and methods that provide a solid
base for your culinary adventures. Ideal for the new chef or the competent chef,
these classes will provide you with the confidence and skills necessary to make
every dish a fabulous success! (Also offered as individual classes).
ESSENTIALS: CLASSIC SAUCES—Sauces can make or break a dish.
Learn the correct way to make: Béarnaise, Béchamel, Beurre Blanc,
Hollandaise, Demi-Glace, Tomato, and Pesto. Having these sauces in your
repertoire will allow you to make classic dishes, as well as variations.
[ Offered: 04/05/03; 05/10/03; 06/14/03 ]
ESSENTIALS: KITCHEN SKILLS—Learn essential cooking techniques
such as searing, sautéing, poaching, and grilling. Work with different
proteins (e.g., fish, meat, poultry) to create perfectly prepared masterpieces.
The menu may include: Poached Salmon with a Miso Crust,
Grilled Beef Tenderloin Medallions in a Red Wine Sauce and more!
[ Offered: 04/12/03; 05/17/03; 06/21/03 ]
ESSENTIALS: KNIFE SKILLS—The importance of knife skills and
cutting techniques should not be underestimated. Our chef instructor will
teach you how to: identify various knives, handle knives safely, sharpen
knives properly, and make different types of cuts. Use your newly honed
skills to then prepare several dishes in class.
[ Offered: 04/19/03; 05/24/03, 06/28/03 ]
ESSENTIALS: SOUPS & STOCKS—Making fresh, flavorful stock is a
critical step in preparing your homemade soup. Learn to make stocks with
different bases (e.g., fish, beef, vegetable), then use them to create
wonderful soups with a great depth of flavor and body.
[ Offered: 04/26/03; 05/31/03 ]
ESSENTIALS: SWEET & SAVORY SOUFFLÉS—James Beard said:
“The only thing that will make a soufflé fall is if it knows you are afraid of
it.” Overcome your fear and learn to make savory soufflés, such as Goat
Cheese & Walnut, and sweet soufflés, such as Bittersweet Chocolate.
[ Offered: 05/03/03; 06/07/03 ]
i didn't really read all that.
knife skills! knife skills! learn special tricks like throwing at a person strapped to a spinning wheel without killing them!
Posted by: michele on March 31, 2003 02:29 PMOr that thing where you have your hand down on the table and you jab the knife down between each of your fingers moving really fast and you just keep going back and forth hella fast. It is going to be awesome when you learn how to do that one, Nuala. You can make some serious money on bar bets.
Posted by: sean on March 31, 2003 03:35 PMyuuuummm...i'm getting hungry just reading about it. yay! classes where you can eat! is there anything more heavenly?
Posted by: jade on March 31, 2003 03:36 PMthe bad guy does the knife-finger-table-stabbing-thing to the annoying little kid in the best movie of all time! you know what i'm talkng about, that's right--the mummy returns!
(and michele proves that she will seize any moment to bring up her favorite movie)
i think it's called mumblety-peg. my grandpa played it before there was tv.
nuala...this is fucking sweet. in that now you can cook for me more than ever. i approve all my friends taking classes which will improve my life.
Posted by: didofoot on April 1, 2003 09:19 AMWell I'm glad I have the Kristen stamp of approval. Sumit said basically the same thing. All I care about is that I get to sample the food from the other classes after my class. Free food! Yummy free food!
Posted by: Nuala on April 1, 2003 09:55 AMnuala, i propose we have another murder mystery party right after you finish the "sweet and savory souffles" part. just an idea. =P
Posted by: erica on April 6, 2003 04:58 PMI am now the Queen of Souffles. I made the best souffle in the class. To get me to show off my new found skills all you have to do is by a souffle dish set....hee hee
Posted by: nuala on May 6, 2003 12:16 PMcongratulations, your radiance. how much will a souffle dish cost me? will it cost me more than a souffle in a restaurant would cost me? and what exactly would be my return, i mean how many souffles would you make me?
Posted by: didofoot on May 7, 2003 03:22 PMi'm pretty sure you can get a set of 4 souffle dishes for like $10-15. if that. they might be cheaper. wait am i thinking of something else?
Posted by: michele on May 7, 2003 04:04 PMi would think more expensive, or why would she need someone else to buy them?
Posted by: didofoot on May 7, 2003 04:15 PMmaybe it's like knives, where the really good chefly ones are exp but the normal ones are pretty cheap.
Posted by: didofoot on May 7, 2003 04:15 PM