EXPLORING THE ART OF “COOKING LIKE A DAME” IN THE VIRTUAL KITCHEN
By Linda Kissam, “Food, Wine & Shopping” Diva
Take your kitchen skills to the next level with online cooking classes taught by world-class chefs. If you’ve found yourself in a cooking rut, you’re in luck. A virtual cooking class series, Cooking Like a Dame is now offered by the Phoenix Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI PHX). This chapter is very involved in cultivating Arizona’s future culinarians through the high school C-CAP program (Careers Through Culinary Arts.)
ON BIG BLEND RADIO: Linda Kissam and Chef Candy Lesher discuss the “Cooking Like a Dame” virtual cooking classes offered by the Phoenix Chapter of Les Dames d ’Escoffier International, plus, hear about Chef Lesher’s Vegetarian Tortilla Soup Recipe. Watch the podcast here in the YouTube player or download it on Podbean.
The Cooking Like a Dame virtual cooking classes are the creative brainchild of LDEI Phoenix member Candy Lesher, a Culinary Professional. “Teaching is my gift, cooking is my passion. I recognized early in my career that combining those two equaled far more than the sum of their individual parts. I knew I could apply that to creating a platform that would help sustain the philanthropic capabilities of our chapter.” “Our LDEI PhX Chapter recognized the chapter was not reaching – or impacting –its culinary community. Through our talented members, we felt we had much to offer via that expertise, so we felt this would be an effective and desirable way to share those capabilities, in an affordable and virtual manner.”
At just $35 a class, this is a one-of-a-kind AFFORDABLE opportunity. The classes are comparable to most classes that start around $60 and go up from there. Participating chefs are members of LDEI PHX chefs who Candy says, “are accomplished and personable, who truly convey their passion for sharing the joy of a dish well made – and understand how to explain it to all levels of cooks, from novice to expert.” Those who are recreational chefs and comfortable with their skills, “often cook alongside us; when I send the recipes and Zoom link to them, I usually outline for them the things they’ll want to prep ahead to make cooking alongside the chef more efficient. That said, many choose to keep their focus on the screen and take pertinent notes.”
Not only an outreach to the community, but this cooking series also helps cover the day-to-day expenses of the LDEI PhX, a 501© nonprofit (website, zoom, state filing fees, etc.). So, when you buy one of the classes you are donating to our nonprofit’s mission at the same time. All classes are “donated” by member chefs. This means the group is able to maintain a healthy admin fund without having to ask their member “Dames” for additional donations.
Candy recommends these classes for all levels of cooks interested in expanding their skill sets and recipe repertoire. “We have had beginners who were thrilled to learn to make a dish they could offer family and friends. We have also had seasoned chefs attend who were delighted to add to their own depth of knowledge.”
Attendees learn about many unique ingredients they may not have had the opportunity to utilize – for example, jicama. “They would learn what it is, what to look for when they buy it, how to store it, and ways to prepare and use it, along with how it is used in that evening’s particular recipe. They will watch the chef demonstrate the recipe and learn the particular nuances that go into preparing it, for example, in the tortilla soup, how to make the thin strips of tortilla garnish without the need to fry the tortillas.“
Participants learn tips and hints for prepping and cutting, like a faster/easier, or more efficient way to cut zucchini and bell peppers, or how to section citrus. “They learn the “markers” for that particular recipe. For example, with a pie crust, how to recognize if your dough is too wet or dry, and the best way to handle it while rolling it out. Attendees are taught all additional techniques to assemble, cook, and if applicable, garnish the dish. At the end, the chef then opens up the class for any questions from attendees. The teaching part of the class usually lasts one hour, followed by a Q&A period, as needed.”
Overall, taking a virtual Cook Like a Dame cooking class can be a fun, affordable, and rewarding way to improve culinary skills, discover new recipes, and connect with a community of food enthusiasts. Because of their affordable – and virtual – nature, these classes have shown themselves to be a fantastic gift for the person who just doesn’t know what to give; the recipient chooses the date of the class they want and watches from the comfort of their own kitchen. The series runs year-round and can be purchased through Eventbrite featuring classes like COOK LIKE A DAME – MOTHER’S DAY MANICOTTI FROM SCRATCH & WINE PAIRING and COOK LIKE A DAME – INDISPENSABLE SAVORY PASTRY – GALLETTE DE RATOUTILLE.
Learn more at https://www.ldeiphoenix.com/
Linda Kissam ‘Food, Wine & Shopping Diva’ is a professional travel, food, and wine writer based out of Southern California, who specializes in easy, breezy destination stories sharing her favorite things about the places she visits. Visit www.AllInGoodTaste.info.
