Amateur Courses Tips

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Can you recommend a few cooking classes for a pastry chef?

Cooking Classes for a Pastry Chef

Following are some recommended cooking classes for a career as a pastry chef:

• Cake decorating

• Nutrition

• Dessert menu development

• Menu design

• Basic cooking methods

• Fantastic desserts

• French patisserie

• Quick breads

• Pastry arts

• Basic bread-making

   
What cooking course should I take first?

Start with Basic Classes

Start with a basic cooking class. It doesn't matter if you've cooked for a family and entertained for years, you can still learn more. A Chef who has formally studied food and has a solid reputation can teach even the most accomplished family cook many useful tricks. These tips will save you time and money. Your family and friends will appreciate the results.

   
Where can I start looking for amateur cooking classes?

Finding Amateur Cooking Classes

So you've decided to take some amateur cooking classes, but you don't know where to begin looking for them. You can start looking for amateur cooking classes at your local colleges or culinary schools. Some wine shops also offer wine tasting classes --these classes can be fun and educational. Full time cooking schools offer amateur cooking classes that focus on specific dishes, countries, or food pairings. Another place to look for amateur cooking classes is the Internet, where you can find a certified teacher or search for the type of class you are interested in. Many local restaurants also offer amateur cooking classes. Finally, cooking vacations have become popular for offering amateur cooking classes.

   
What is the recommended number of students when selecting a cooking class?

Choosing a Cooking Class

When seeking out cooking classes, it's important to find a class that suits your lifestyle needs. Some things to consider before signing up for a cooking class:
1. Decide on what culinary career you want to pursue -- this will help you on choosing the right cooking class.
2. Determine how much you can afford to spend, and if you need to, look into financial aid to help you pay for the cooking class.
3. Choose where you want to take your cooking class -- in your local area, outside of your local area, on the World Wide Web, or in another country.
4. Do you want to take a one day class, or a class that lasts for several weeks?
5. Select a cooking class with a limited number of students -- 10 to 12 is recommended.
6. Make sure you pick a cooking class that has an experienced instructor. You want to be taught from someone who knows what he/she is talking about.
7. Consider the reputation of the cooking school that you attend, and the careers of past graduates.

   
What are some of the hands-on cooking classes available for a culinary career?

Hands-On Cooking Classes

If you're ready to have a good time and get hands-on learning experience, and also sample the foods that you prepare, take some "learn by doing" cooking classes:
• Cool Italian

• Classic pastry arts

• Art of international bread baking

• Fundamentals of Italian cooking

• Essentials of Italian cooking

   
Do you have any tips for choosing a virtual cooking class?

Tips for Choosing A Virtual Cooking Class

When hunting for a virtual cooking class you have to be cautious and research e-classes thoroughly. Below are some recommended tips you can use when you're searching for a virtual cooking class.
1. Confirm the site's ownership. One way to do this is to visit the "about" page. Another way to confirm the site's ownership is to visit the WHOIS database, type in the domain name of the site, and make sure the information there matches the information on the site's "about" page.
2. If the site gives a phone number, call the number to make sure it is a professional business.
3. Visit culinary message boards and newsgroups to ask others if they have any information on the virtual cooking class (be sure you have the name of the Web site).
4. Research the person giving the virtual cooking class to find out if he/she is who they say they are.
5. E-mail the owner of the Web site and ask him/her what cooking experience they have. Also find out if he/she holds any culinary degrees or certificates.

While virtual cooking classes and online courses are helpful and time efficient, check the cooking class schedules with your local cooking school. There is no substitute for hands-on experience.

   
If I want to cook for a living what are the most important skills I need to know?

Amateur Cooking Classes at Cooking Schools

If you're wondering whether or not to attend cooking school full time, it's a good idea to start with a few amateur classes. These classes are usually more affordable, less time consuming, and they can give you hands-on learning. After taking some amateur cooking classes you can further your education with the bigger cooking classes.
Amateur cooking classes include wine study, bread baking, basic cooking classes, holiday entertaining ideas and food preparation.
Another amateur cooking class to consider is a class on knife handling. Knife handling will sharpen your skills on using and handling a knife.
If you're thinking about becoming a pastry chef you should consider taking amateur cooking classes in cake decorating, baking, pastry and bread-making.

   
Can you recommend a few cooking classes for a personal chef?

Cooking Classes for a Personal Chef

If you're considering a career as a personal chef, the following are some recommended cooking classes:
• Nutrition

• Basic cooking methods

• Fantastic desserts

• French patisserie

• Quick breads

• Pastry arts

• Basic bread-making

• Fundamentals of cooking seafood and shellfish

• Fundamentals of cooking dessert and pastry

• Traditional Italian cuisine

• Learning knife skills

• Kitchen safety

• Meal planning

• Food shopping

• Party planning.

Career oriented cooking schools will have programs that include these types of course work.

   
What cooking course should I take first?

Start with Basic Classes

Start with a basic cooking class. It doesn’t matter if you’ve cooked for a family and entertained for years, you can still learn more. A Chef who has formally studied food and has a solid reputation can teach even the most accomplished family cook many useful tricks. These tips will save you time and money. Your family and friends will appreciate the results.

   
What cooking course should I take first?

Start with Basic Classes

Start with a basic cooking class. It doesn't matter if you've cooked for a family and entertained for years, you can still learn more. A Chef who has formally studied food and has a solid reputation can teach even the most accomplished family cook many useful tricks. These tips will save you time and money. Your family and friends will appreciate the results.

   
My rice sticks to the bottom of the pan when I cook it, can you provide any tips for preventing this from happening?

Rice Cooking Tips from Cooking School

Every chef has a secret to cooking some of the most stubborn foods. Here is a simple recipe for rice pilaf:

Generally 1 cup of rice requires 1 1/2 c of liquid (either stock or water). So for the pilaf method, sweat 1/2 c finely chopped onions in butter to soften, add 1 c rice and mix with butter and onion, add the 1 1/2 c of liquid, a pinch of salt and a bay leaf. Bring to a boil and immediately cover and put into a 350 degree F oven for 17-20 minutes. Remove from over and stir with a fork to separate grains of rice. Taste and season accordingly.

   
Do you have any brownie baking tips?

Baking Tips from Cooking School

Whether it's sifting flour or separating eggs, we all need help in the kitchen. Here are some back-to-basic baking tips to help out:

1. Don't you hate it when you measure peanut butter, butter or corn syrup and it sticks to the measuring cup? Spray your measuring cup with non-stick spray first, and then your peanut butter, butter or corn syrup will slide right out.

2. To enhance the flavor of almonds and pecans, toast them before using them in your recipe.

3. If you brush a whole egg onto the bottom and sides of your pie shell it will prevent your crust from getting soggy.

4. For some delicious brownies add caramel to your batter -- the kind of caramel you put on ice-cream.

5. When making pie crust you can add 1/3 cup sugar for a sweeter crust.

   
How can I make my turkey juicy?

Cooking Class Tips: No More Dry Turkey

Before placing your turkey in the oven, follow these tips from cooking class on how to brine the turkey. Brining a turkey is a god way to impart flavor and add moisture to the bird.

Per 1 gallon of water use 1 cup salt, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 onion sliced, 2 lemons halved, 2 bay leaves, 1 bunch tarragon, 1 bunch parsley, 1 head of garlic.
Cook brine to dissolve sugar and salt. Cool brine.
Add the turkey (you may need to weigh it down). For a 10-15lb turkey, you should leave it in brine for 24 hours in the refrigerator. Remove the turkey, rinse well, and pat dry. Let rest uncovered in the fridge uncovered for 3 hours. Roast until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees at 400 degrees Farenheit.

   
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