Welcome to Homestyle Gourmet Cooking
For Helpers
The word
gourmet probably conjures images of snobbery, fiddly and precious.
However,
“Gourmet” is to appreciate the variety of textures, flavors and
presentation in food to heighten the senses. I can think of no more appropriate
word
for the style we strive for in Homestyle Gourmet
Cooking for Helpers.
There is
something to be gained by beginners or experienced alike!
We
expose participants to food styles that have become popular around the world
from Italian
to Chinese to European and Asian. With every session we introduce
relevant
cooking theory both for the novice and the experienced. We introduce formulas
for
taking classic recipes and giving new life to them with a twist of flavor,
presentation
or
texture. With every passing session we strive to improve the creativity of the
home
chef
through formula cooking that will go beyond rote reading of recipes. The result
is
cooking
that is light, modern and fresh!
The provenance of my recipes can
be credited to the many wonderful and upscale
restaurants I have been fortunate to sample,
the inspiration for ideas I get from all
the cookbooks I dare to try and be
influenced by, to the many flavors experienced
around the world and, finally, to my
Mom’s kitchen.
I am strictly a home chef. I have
no formal training. I entertain with
taste enjoyment
and easy formality in mind, not perfection.
I hope you will enjoy the
Superhelper Homestyle Gourmet food in similar style.
The Course Format
You may select individual cooking
courses as you wish or sign up for the entire course
which awards a Certificate of
Completion. A minimum of four courses is required to earn
a Certificate of Completion.
The cooking courses are generally
hands on unless otherwise indicated. This means
participants will perform food preparation and
cooking. You are encouraged to send
along
containers to bring back tasting samples
Homestyle Gourmet Cooking for Helpers is geared for both the novice
and experienced.
Each
session features a 3-course menu: Starter, Main Course and
Dessert/Pudding.
What the Beginner Learns:
The
recipes are written in formulaic format so that ingredient substitution is
encouraged.
The
beginner will take home formulas for:
- Soup
Making
- Salad
Making and Vinaigrette creations
- Italian
Basics: Tomato Sauce, Homemade Pasta making, Pesto making, Risotto
- Chinese
and Asian Basics: Dumpling Making, Curry
- Baking:
Cake Making, Fruit Crumble, Coulis Creation
- How
to make Puddings
Basic Cooking
Techniques discussed and practiced are: Braising, Roasting, Sauteeing,
Boiling,
Steaming along with:
- Food
Hygiene and Safety
- Knife
Techniques
- Food
and Cooking Vocabulary
- Cooking
Equipment and Aids
- How
to Buy and Cook Meat, Fish and Vegetables
- Food
Presentation
- Table
Setting and Service
What the Experienced Learns:
In
addition to renewing their knowledge of the above formulas and topics the more
experienced participant will be practiced in:
- Flavor
and texture combinations
- Presentation
- Meal
Planning
Cooking For Vegetarians:
A new
feature of the Superhelper Cookery course is the vegetarian option. So if you
are
or
your family is vegetarian please refer to the vegetarian alternatives next to
each menu
option.
Please also let us know any specific restrictions you may have as vegetarians.
Cooking for Children:
In
addition to the menu plan presented here. Each session will add a bonus of one children’s
recipe
that relates to the featured menus. Children’s recipes will not be
demonstrated,
however,
due to time constraints.
Who Should Attend
The course is designed principally
to train helpers on cooking and baking. But food enthusiasts
are welcome!
