http://www.thinkingofyou.com.au/dancing-in-the-kitchen/cooking-friends
What inspires you to cook with friends?
When I find great produce I want to share it with my friends and see their reaction.
How do you prepare to cook with friends?
I go to the markets and base the dinner around my choice of ingredients. This is usually as simple as possible, one pot cooking so I can enjoy the time with my friends.
What makes the perfect dinner party?
The friends you invite to share the meal with.
What are the things you can’t live without?
Spring onion, garlic, ginger and good quality olive oil.
What did you learn from your time spent with Claire from Sticky Rice?
I appreciated the peaceful and amazing atmosphere at the cooking school. The Electrolux kitchen has been beautifully laid out and is extremely functional.
What inspires you to cook with friends?
Usually it’s a new recipe. I enjoy selecting and planning a menu, and then to put it into practise. I essentially use my friends as guinea pigs! In fact, when Tetsuya left I recreated three of his amazing dishes for 40 staff. He did say I could call him if I got stuck but I managed to pull it off!
How do you prepare to cook with friends?
I choose recipes that I know will work within the time I have. I am past the days slaving away on a Thai banquet, frantically stir frying and deep frying while my guests are left unattended. Prep is crucial – the dishes that come together magically without effort on the night are winners.
What makes the perfect dinner party?
The most important aspect of the dinner party is your group of friends. If they enjoy themselves, have great food and feel looked after, then it’s gone well. It’s perfect when the food seems effortless but has people raving about it long afterwards.
What are the things you can’t live without?
Chilli… And all the Asian pantry staples such as fish sauce, soy sauce and oyster sauce.
What did you learn from your time spent with Tetsuya at Sticky Rice?
How calm and relaxed you should be when entertaining! Not to complicate dishes with sides and salads and lots of extras. Let the star of the dish shine through. A small serve of a quality protein bursting with flavour is so much more elegant and satisfying than a big plate of carbs.
What a fantastic experience. This was our first cooking class and we’re already planning our next cooking adventure with Sticky Rice. Yukio is an excellent instructor. The menu was well planned. We had a lot of fun and learned so much. Thank you Yukiko and Daniel for all your hard work.
It was a great experience, learning some trade secrets to great cooking. Met some lovely people, a totally enjoyable afternoon. Cannot wait to do the next one!!!
Amazing experience thank you. Beautiful food, beautiful people, magical from start to finish
Best inspiration to be creative back at home!
We did the Japanese Essentials. excellent chef guide in Yukiko. food was excellent quality and class was a lot of fun. Daniel was a delightful host. We stayed in the Bali villa which was beautiful and relaxing. Wonderful get away.
I’ve done five classes so far. Great time, great repeatable recipes. Japanese cooking class was amazing. Going to repeat entire menu for family this week.
A great day at Sticky Rice Cooking School, Stirling yesterday – so enjoyed “Sensational Seafood” with chef Tania. Fantastic food, flavours, cooking tips, wonderful host Daniel and new friends Trudy & Rachael. Thanks Claire for making your dream come true – such a beautiful place filled with happiness, love & care.
Fabulous Middle Eastern Cooking class with Genevieve Harris. Wonderful day cooking a delicious menu of Hummus and flat bread, Chermoula chicken, Harissa marinated Prawns,with a beautiful eggplant and tomato salad, and bbq lamb skewers marinated in Hilbeh served with baby spinach, pomegranate seeds and yoghurt sauce.
Then deep fried almond pastries with honey and orange blossom syrup.
All served with lovely wines or fruit juice and water.
Fabulous day, heaps of fun and staying at the villas made the walk home very easy.
Highly Recommended 5*****
It’s all hands on, all interacting with each other. The food, atmosphere and setting are just awesome. highly recommended.
Fantastic fun night out
The perfect Staycation ideas for these Adelaide Hills Luxury Villas. Stay and Play. Wellness, Adventure and Relaxation. Which Villa will you choose? Bali, Yoko or Zen
One of the standout features of group cooking classes is their inclusivity. Unlike non-hands-on activities that might alienate certain members, cooking classes create a level playing field.
Life doesn’t always go according to plan, and our fridges are the unsung comedians in this culinary saga.
Explore the exciting avenue of integrating cooking classes into School Excursions. Lesson Plan and Rubrics included.
