Any recommended cookery courses, Italian mainly

Liquid_Entity · 22 Apr 2014 at 12:29

Birthday is coming up and as I never know what I want, well I do but it's always far more expensive than family can afford I thought about a cookery course.

I can cook fairly well but it's all mainly boring stuff. I wanted to try and do far more with Italian cooking so thought maybe a course in Italian food would be best.

Anyone been on or recommend any courses for me?

I have seen a few Virgin Experience courses but they seem to cost a lot and only 1 or 2 reviews saying good but not great. Don't want to waste all their money on a poor course.

I also found a course at Food at 52 which seemed to be good but it says you may learn this or that from a list: http://www.foodat52.co.uk/courses/flavours-of-italy-fri-1st-june-10-00-15-00-449.html

Experience the diversity of Southern & Central Italy on this full day Italian feast. Make crispy arancini risotto balls, hand-rolled, rustic orecchiette pasta, fresh ravioli and Italian favourites based on fresh produce and seasonal crops. Your taste buds will be whisked from Tuscany and Umbria to Sicily and Calabria, as we explore the Italian cupboard to create bold, bright flavours.

A day in the kitchen may include:

Crispy arancini with mozzarella and pasata
Rustic orrechiette pasta with sicilian norma sauce
Umbrian Parmigiana di melanzane
Hand-cut tagliatelle with Genoese Pesto
Pollo sofrito with Rosemary and orange
Amaretti semifreddo
Cantuccini almond biscotti

JBuk · 22 Apr 2014 at 12:40

If it was me I'd ask for money and get some decent kitchen equipment then learn from a book or YouTube

5 or so hours isn't much time to learn anything of much use unless it was a specific skill that was best taught practically

Liquid_Entity · 22 Apr 2014 at 12:44

I have considered that however I have a small kitchen with limited space and I already have a few gadgets and things that I barely ever use. Either way don't want to waste money.

Hmmm so annoying.

boxman2000 · 22 Apr 2014 at 13:07

I did an Italian cooking evening course (2 hours per session for 6 sessions) and was around £200.

For me, it wasn't so much learning the dishes they were cooking, but it gave me ideas, tips and techniques that I would not have learnt had I not watched someone cook.

Youtube is a good idea and I have been learning a lot from watching various channels recently but I do think it is a worthwhile thing getting taught in person. Saying that I wouldn't see you would get much out of a 5 hour session so perhaps check out your local collage to see if they run evening courses.

glitch · 22 Apr 2014 at 13:07

Liquid_Entity said:
Anyone been on or recommend any courses for me?

A lot of the more commercial courses are really just dumbed-down to appeal to the widest audience and you tend to be guided by the learning pace of the thickest person in the room at the time. As you've already figured out, avoid anything that's an 'experience day' or from Groupon as they'll be cheap and cheerful - been there, done that, walked out.

Looking at the Food at 52 course, it seem pretty clear to see they are taking it seriously and you're going to be actually learning some useful skills, although I'd want to see a more comprehensive course structure before parting with any cash.

If that doesn't tickle your proverbial fancy, a close friend has done the Classic Italian Cookery course at the Waitrose Cookery School and said it was excellent. She's also done the Pasta course at Jamie's Recipease and said it was tremendous fun.

My money would go on something from La Cucina Caldesi.

bsoltan · 22 Apr 2014 at 13:23

I've been to two different evening courses here and they're ok for picking up tips and techniques that you may not learn from following recipes but the skills and recipes I did were fairly straight forward if you know the basics of cooking.

http://www.inspiredgourmet.co.uk/

http://www.inspiredgourmet.co.uk/italia-cookery-day - £150

The richness of Italian cuisine lies in its diversity, each recipe, each dish has its own history. Discover the flavours of Italy and how to produce traditional Italian dishes that celebrate and use seasonal produce. This boot-shaped country is comprised of 20 regions, each producing its own culinary treasures.

Our instructors are qualified Chefs with many years training in some of the top kitchens. We have created an informal and fun environment taking you through each recipe step by step. This is a hand’s on course with our instructors available to assist you throughout your day.

Typical dishes on this course include:
Focaccia
Summer Panzanella Salad
Pasta Making
A variery of Pasta Sauces and Pesto
Canellini Beans
Perfect Risotto
Antipasto Insalata
Cod Casserole Murluzzo in Umido
Fennel and Parmesan Gratin
Torta di Cioccolato

During your day we will cover:
Knife handling skills and chopping techniques
Food preparation techniques using freshly prepared ingredients
The creation of a variety of different dishes throughout the day
Food seasoning with natural flavours and ingredients
Dish presentation techniques

The day starts at 10am when you will be welcomed with tea and coffee and the opportunity to meet your fellow guests and Instructing Chef. We will give you a short Health and Safety briefing and talk your through what we will be doing during your course.

You will enjoy a light lunch around midday and at the end of your cookery session your culinary efforts will be rewarded when you sit down to enjoy your three-course meal and a glass of wine.

Course times 10am - 5pm

This course is available as a Day or Evening Course

We limit the number of places available on this course to 8.

This course has a guest dining option

Liquid_Entity · 22 Apr 2014 at 13:32

Thanks glitch and bsoltan - they all look like good offerings.

That one in MK would be great, bit of a trek to get there though.

Liquid_Entity · 22 Apr 2014 at 22:08

So I've thought about it now and perhaps I'll just ask for tools to make/cook food.

I found this on the river site: Marcato Atlas Light Alloy 150 Pasta Maker Machine, Silver for £50. Got very good reviews. Anything else I might need?

glitch · 22 Apr 2014 at 22:50

This would make for a great learning tool. It's chock full of classic recipes and techniques, none of this Anglo-Italian rubbish.

A nice thin wooden rolling pin and a pasta pot with strainer insert would be a good additional investment - apart from that I'd concentrate on getting some quality ingredients to cook with and get practicing on your pasta making.