Ask The Knife: Help! I can't cook!

Dear Ask The Knife:

Cooking classes? Since I can't cook A THING.  Was wondering if you could recommend a good place to take a cooking class.

-- Can't Make Diddly

Dear CMD:

First rule of learning how to cook: Find a class that lets you cook. You're a food voyeur, demonstration classes are entertaining. You want to cook, they're virtually worthless. This is especially true in early days, when you're learning how to hold a knife without requiring stitches.

There's a couple of ways to approach this. One is the Cooking 101 route: Student Meets Knife, Chicken, Hollandaise. The advantage of this slower, step-by-step approach (in theory) is this gives you a good perspective on basic skills. In practice, you can wind up frustrated, baffled and bored as you face down dishes you'd never want to eat because you're not making them to eat; you're making them to learn.

Eating more fun than learning, so here's my advice: Look for hands-on cooking classes that let you make things you want to eat. The downside to this method (in theory) is you don't learn all the basics before plunging in. In practice, so what; you learn what you need as you need it. Granted, this method may also leave you baffled, and possibly frustrated, but never bored. And if it's all too much, you can always start over with Cooking 101.

Epicurean School of Culinary Arts, 8500 Melrose Ave. (310) 659-5990 In addition to the basic cooking skills sequence, there are a dozen-plus workshops that focus on everything from curries to desserts to pasta. There's also a class on knife skills and the sooner you can get comfortable with a 10-inch knife, the happier you'll be. 

New School of Cooking, 8690 Washington Blvd., Culver City; (310) 842-9702 Two sets of basic cooking classes (one vegetarian, one not) and a bunch of single-topic classes that include paella, Peruvian food, fresh pasta and pizza.

California Sushi Academy, 2835 S. Robertson Blvd. (310) 559-0777. Make your own sushi = Instant bragging rights. And being able to take advantage of all that sushi fish at Matsuhisa is a wonderful thing.

[Photo: The late Chef Paul, aka Victor Paul Fraser Kuforiji, personal chef to Jack Nicholson and resident chef at Helena's and Smashbox Studios. Photo by Peter Duke, shared via Flickr under Creative Commons license.]

Comments

[Nick]

I've taken two classes from Sur La Table at The Grove, one in knife skills and the other in vegetarian cooking, and they were both invaluable and highly enjoyable. Around $65 for a three-hour class and they're very hands-on (plus, of course, you get to eat what you cook).

[Robb]

Hey Guys

If you can't cook and would like to learn definitely check out this casting notice!!!

CLUELESS IN THE KITCHEN? LEARN TO COOK WITH BOBBY FLAY!

Single and can’t cook a meal for one? Frustrated because you don’t know how to pack a nutritious lunchbox for your kids? Forgo paying for culinary school and learn the basics in two weeks with Bobby Flay’s “Real Food Cooking School.”

Impress us with your wit and your lack of food knowledge… Bobby Flay is ready to school you as only an Iron Chef can! You’ll learn the basics of grilling, sautéing, knife skills, how to make simple, nutritious meals from real foods…and so much more!

If you’re feisty and eager to step up your cooking skills: make us a 3-minute VHS tape or DVD telling us your worst cooking story, the most horrible meal you ever cooked, and why you should be a part of Bobby Flay’s “Real Food Cooking School.”

Worried? Don’t be – you’ll be having too much fun! Remember…have a family member, best friend or spouse make an appearance on your tape – a little testimonial, “Oh my god, she regularly burns the bottom of the sauce pan!” goes a long way.

All applicants should live in the United States, be over the age of 18, and be available April 15-30th for filming in New York City.

Please mail tapes by March 22nd to:
ATT: Real Food Cooking School
110 Leroy Street
New York, NY 10014

Questions? Email us at realfoodcookingschool@gmail.com

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