Eat My Charlotte
A few weeks back, I was manning a farmers market booth for a friend and just so happened to see Chef Alyssa Gorelick in the market, chatting it up with the local vendors, picking and prodding the produce and loading up her basket with ingredients. Turns out, she was shopping for her cooking classes in Chef Alyssa's Kitchen, her new business inside the Atherton Mill & Market (winner of Best Farmer's Market, by the way).
I recently had the pleasure of attending one of her classes a few Wednesdays ago. The topic? Hearty Italian Dishes. Chef Alyssa spent much of her early culinary years studying in Italy, which made for spot-on recipes. On the menu that evening was a white bean bruschetta, pesto, pasta bolognese, chicken with olives, tomatoes and spinach and for dessert, chocolate-espresso panna cotta. I know, right? The best part is you get to eat the entire menu after cooking it.
The class is set up into well-organized stations with some pretty boss butcher block tables. Alyssa and her business partner Andrew Wilen take care of all the details. Every good chef knows the importance of mise en place, and the classes make no exception. Each recipe is prepped and portioned on trays that are brought out on cue.
The tables are set up four to a station, and Chef Alyssa is front and center, Rhythm Nation style with a microphone strapped to her ear and a large screen to broadcast the top-down view of her station as she cooks. The meal is organized into steps that break down the timing of a multi-course meal. Chef Alyssa explains each move step by step, inserting tips and tricks along the way, and then allows the class to follow suit.
What I loved about the class is that it was instructional, yet free-formed. Chef Alyssa guides the process, but allows you the freedom to actually cook, which is often lacking in some "cooking classes," which can feel more like hand-holding. She has even organized the classes into varying difficulty levels. I went with a friend, but the popular pairing that night was couples enjoying a weeknight date.
Upcoming classes in the month of October include Modern Greek, Vegan Varieties, Try Thai and Autumn Soups. Average price per class is $55-$60 and includes an appetizer, non-alcoholic beverage (although you are welcome to BYOB if you are over 21) and meal. To register for a class, click here or visit Chef Alyssa's Kitchen to learn more.
