There are plenty of health benefits to cooking at home; lower calories, less preservatives and it’s cheaper. Caitlyn Davey investigated some cooking classes in the capital for a bit of a learning experience.
Jones the Grocer
A popular eatery in Abu Dhabi, you can now learn the behind-the-scenes tricks that Jones use in their cooking at their master-classes. The classes are held in the café and taught by Jones’ own chefs, with their own equipment. The class accepts all kinds of budding chefs, as long as they have booked more than two days in advance. The upcoming classes will teach students how to prepare a starter and a main dish.
If you think you don’t need classes, Jones also offers a cooking competition where chefs select ingredients for teams who are then required to cook up a storm in two hours. Even if you are a kitchen-whiz, you may learn something new.
Classes are available at Jones the Grocer cafés in Khalidiyah, Al Mamoura and Al Raha, and run throughout the month. Be sure to book your place, the classes fill up fast.
www.jonesthegrocer.com
Chef Eric’s cooking school
French chef Eric Tavernier teaches in-home classes and from his villa. What began as a catering business developed into lessons. He says, ‘my customers were asking me “Why don’t you teach us?” It’s a versatile lesson; chef Eric says he is happy to teach various cuisines. ‘I do lessons in French, Italian – making pastas and raviolis, Japanese – I teach how to make sushi, and Spanish. I do teach some Arabic but unfortunately I am not experienced in this specifically.’
The well-travelled chef makes sure that wherever he goes, he takes authentic classes. ‘Every time I travel I like to arrange to take a cooking class in that country. Rome, Tokyo, recently I went to Hong Kong. It gives me good experience with all cuisines.’
He also offers basic kitchen skill classes; a one-hour preparation class which teaches knife-skills and how to make a sauce. All classes are individually tailored to the student and no previous experience is necessary.
www.chefericscookingschool.com (050 417 5078).
InterContinental
Okay, so it’s not technically cooking, but the Yacht Club offers sushi rolling classes; and who doesn’t like sushi? You can learn to master the ancient art of rolling seaweed. It’s harder than it looks and the Yacht Club’s chef and sushi master, chef Dexter will teach you what to do (and what not to do). Classes run monthly, for two hours per class. And the best part? The two-course meal at the end to really enjoy the fruits of your labour.
The Yacht Club, InterContinental Abu Dhabi (02 666 6888).
Api Cae Gourmet
For the youngsters who want to gain some culinary skills, Api Cae has classes for children aged 3-12. The classes teach children about healthy choices regarding food as well as how to whip up some of their own healthy meals. They learn how to make pastas, pizzas, burgers and more all while learning about the products in a ninety minute class. Classes are conducted in the Api Cae restaurant.
They say: ‘We from Api Cae Gourmet have always believed that the key to tackling these big problems lies in the kitchen. We created cooking courses that would not only be fun and easy to teach; but also truly inspiring for the children and their families.’
www.apicaegourmet.ae (02 666 8909).
