Food for Thought

It’s said that good food is wise medicine, and we all want to provide the best for our families. We shop at the local farmers’ market, we buy organic when we can and we read food labels. But if you want some extra inspiration in the kitchen, you should take a cooking class. Grab a couple of friends or your beloved and let the learning (and fun) begin!

The Cookbook Co. Cooks has both hands-on and demonstration classes on a daily basis, offering topics that range from gluten-free baking to French farmhouse menus. Their Saturday night couples’ evening class books out early and gives date night a twist. You can master new recipes and skills, enjoy a gourmet dinner, (with wine pairings) and meet like-minded people. Classes run for two and a half hours with prices starting at $85 per person. The instructors are experts in their fields, and are often found moonlighting in their own restaurants’ kitchens.

The Compleat Cook store located in Willow Park Village also runs regular cooking classes in their separately located kitchen. There are plenty of choices to get the taste buds inspired, ranging from audacious, tailgating cuisine, to tempting Cajun and Creole dishes. We like the fact that dads are not left out of the action, and your man can sign up for the Cooking for Your Woman class. We all know that women everywhere would love to have a gastronomic man that can cut it in the kitchen. Lessons range from $75 a class to $220 for four.

For Indian cuisine, try Ruby’s Kitchen and Cooking School in Sunridge. Ruby’s philosophy is to combine food, friends and fun times into a one-of-a-kind learning experience. Indian food does not have to equal spicy, and kids everywhere will scarf down butter chicken, naan and rice pudding. These are tailor-made cooking classes—you can pick and choose from a comprehensive list of dishes that you wish to learn. If it’s not on the list, they will do their best to accommodate you.

Home cooking and family dinners bring us together at mealtime to reconnect with each other. So make some time to unleash your Iron Chef. Tested by Fiona H., Calgary