Cheap Eats.ie

16 Mar, 2010

Cookery Lessons

Posted by: rercy in: Can't Cook | Chefs | Education

I'm not usually smiling when this happens

I'm not usually smiling when this happens

I’m not a natural cook at all. I usually have to follow a recipe with the exception of a few staple dishes that I have been cooking for years. I’m good at baking but I think that’s because it’s all about measurements and I tend to treat cooking like a science.

My husband has the ability to whisk something together without consulting a book or the internet and even when he does follow a recipe he always confidently substitutes ingredients and methods. The only thing I beat him on is presentation; his food, more often than not, resembles an active volcano.

I wonder if it is practice or just a natural ability and mindset that makes some people more instinctual at cooking.  I envy those who casually say, “I’ll just lob a bit more of that in”.

Should I just accept this short-coming or is there anything I can do about it? Would a cookery class give me confidence in the kitchen? With this in mind I decided to see what Ballmaloe Cookery School had to offer – for when I’m not completely smashed of course.

Ballmaloe is probably the most well-known cookery school in Ireland. Courses start at €70 and can go up to €10,000 for a 12 week certificate.

If you want to be taught by Rachel Allen herself, her ‘home-cooking class’ costs €575 for a two and a half day course.

For €85 you can have a masterclass in pizza-making and there are various half-day courses for €115 in subjects ranging from Mexican food, sushi made simple, tapas and gluten free cooking.

If you fancy learning from big name chefs, for €255 you can get a one day lesson from celebrity chefs like Yotam Ottolenghi or Jean Pierre Moulle.

Have you had cookery lessons and were they any help?

Related posts:

  1. Lessons on cheap eating at the Harvest Feast
  2. Last Chance to Enter Cookery Class Competition
  3. Win a Free Cookery Course





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7 Responses to "Cookery Lessons"

1 | Aveen

March 16th, 2010 at 1:02 pm

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I have a friend who was a terrible cook – she was actually terrified of cooking – until she bought a copy of Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food. She worked her way through it and now she’s a lot more confident. I know it’s not quite what you were after but it’s a lot cheaper than a course at Ballymaloe!

Funny enough my mum is like you in that she’s fantastic at baking but she can’t ‘do’ normal cooking at all.

2 | peter

March 16th, 2010 at 2:24 pm

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Hey Rercy, you’ve cooked for me manys a time and I can firmly state that you’re a wonderful cook. Either that, or you hide your lack of natural talent well… :)

3 | Aidan

March 16th, 2010 at 3:18 pm

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I think most of it is, as you say, mindset and practice – mainly a willingness to lob something in and see what happens! If you enjoy the results, you’ll know it can be used (or tweaked) for again; if not, you’ll learn from the error. I’m very much a lobber-inner – the only time I’ve followed a recipe properly was the first time I made bread. Since then I’ve experimented with my baking too… my presentation, like your husband’s, isn’t up to much, but I enjoy the process :)

4 | Caoils

March 16th, 2010 at 3:26 pm

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I’ve had a good few cookery courses and can recommend 2 very highly, The first being The Kitchen in the Castle in Howth Castle, they have a huge range of class’s to suit all level. The second is Dublin Cookery school headed up by ex Ballymaler Lynda Booth, class’s are relaxed and informal

5 | Brownie

March 17th, 2010 at 7:23 pm

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I did a one day course with Kevin Dundon a few years ago – it was really fantastic, with loads of no nonsense tips – like don’t bother with unsalted butter when baking, it’s fine to use ordinary salted!!

6 | Jacqueline

March 19th, 2010 at 9:21 pm

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Yes! Sent my partner on a fabulous How to Keep Chickens at Ballymaloe, and he is inspired to get hens! Posting about is very soon! X

7 | Jacqueline

March 19th, 2010 at 9:23 pm

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Btw – Hazel McFadden at The Kitchen in the Castle, howth, is a gifted cook and teacher – she taught me so much

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