Culinary Confidence: A Series of Basic Cooking Skills Classes for Hesitant Cooks (Live Online)

Do you lack confidence in the kitchen? Are you a new cook? Are you an adult claiming you can’t cook? Have you resolved to cook more and order take out less often?  Do you want to better understand the basics to make simple straightforward meals that taste good and nourish?In this 4-session series, paced for beginners (or those who simply aren’t comfortable in the kitchen), participants develop culinary confidence while learning and practicing basic cooking techniques. Learn in a supportive environment where we encourage all of your questions, and grow from our mistakes.Concepts that will be covered:RoastingBraisingSautéeingSeasoning and Flavor DevelopmentCooking GrainsPan Sauces, Spreads and VinaigrettesMenu planningImprovisational cookingShopping for ingredientsChoosing the proper tools & equipmentSeasonality of ingredientsTime ManagementKitchen safety and sanitationKnife skills (cursory only, we recommend our separate Knife Skills classes for a deeper dive)Culinary Confidence is:Teaching Table’s 4-session Series focused on Culinary Basics and Simple meals for adults who are hesitant, beginners or simply claim they can’t cook;The mindset you will develop from participating in Teaching Table’s Culinary Confidence series;The ability to cook a meal without hesitation or fear;The belief that you are capable of feeding yourself and others.By the end of this course you will have:Created at least 4 nourishing delicious meals from scratch.Practiced 8 basic cooking techniques.Chosen the proper tools and kitchen equipment for the job.Applied the concepts you learned to a wide variety of ingredients and recipes.Increased your confidence as a cook.Built a community with other beginner and hesitant cooks.Each session focuses on a singular cooking technique and incorporates some other basics. Our menu (subject to change based on student interest) is as follows.Session 1: Roasting and SeasoningRoast Chicken with Pan Sauce GravyRoast VegetablesRosemary Crusted PotatoesSession 2: Braising and SautéeingChicken Piccata or Lamb Stew (students’ choice)Garlicky GreensSession 3: Cooking Grains and Pasta DishesHearty Mushroom Risotto and/or Pasta alla Vodka or AmatricianaSession 4: Fish and PuréesBaked Ras el Hanout Arctic CharMuhammara (smokey red pepper & walnut sauce)Yogurt Dill SauceCreamy Cauliflower or Pea PuréeThere is some prep required for these classes, primarily gathering, measuring, washing and chopping ingredients in advance.You don’t need any special equipment, materials or ingredients. We teach how to “COOK WITH WHAT YOU HAVE!”One week before, you can expect an email with recipes, ingredients to procure, and prep instructions.