Make Cooking a Social Event

Make Cooking a Social Event

I'm extremely lucky to have a group of friends who love to cook. It also doesn't hurt that I run a cooking school where I am exposed to many diverse people, from vegans, gluten-free, and Paleo to students who just want to cook an easy meal. What I enjoy the most is seeing more people with the desire to cook.

Yesterday, I taught a class with Kay and Donna in Delafield, Wisconsin. Two extraordinary women, who were so cheerful and relaxed, yet exuded the desire to take the next step in cooking. Both are accomplished cooks. Donna was in the food industry for a while and is now returning on a limited basis to fill in for others on vacation. Kay used to cook often, but her new routine finds that she's out of the habit. It was great to see Donna tackle the puff pastry, even though she had some reluctance. Kay was most interested in cooking the risotto. They split up the tasks, and they were the perfect team.

Delafield cooking lesson

Last month, I taught a class to a mother and daughter, Lauren and Claire, in Allen, Texas. The daughter is vegan, and it was fun to hear her discuss adaptations to the recipes. What Claire was willing to compromise on and what she wasn't. It was refreshing to listen to an open dialogue on why one chooses to eat what one does. The menu was Chicken fajitas, but she made tofu fajitas. It was a first for me, so I can honestly say that this high school student taught me how to branch into new areas. And, yes, they were delicious. Change the chicken to tofu and the Worcestershire sauce to soy sauce. 

In both cases, I was struck by how much each cooking student wanted to learn not only how to cook but the whys of what they were doing. Why do you score the puff pastry? To let out steam. Why do you measure the dry ingredients first? So that you can use one set of measuring spoons instead of two. Why do you wash cryovac meat? Because it smells like ruined meat. If it smells after washing it, you may have a problem!

I take cooking for granted. For the past twenty-five years, I've prepared food and enjoyed it. My family and guests like my food, or so they say! But after these recent lessons and thinking back to when I was the happiest in the kitchen, it seems to be when I have other people with me. The family decorating cookies. My Mom and Dad watching my sister and me bake a cake in an Easy Bake Oven. My mother-in-law helping prepare for a New Year's Day Party. My cooking group, Las Chicas, learning to make Peruvian food, Tortilla Española, and crepes.

Kay, Donna, Lauren, and Claire remind me that cooking is more than just about the food. It's also about the social experience. Not everyone has the time, space, or desire to cook with other people, but if you are in a cooking rut, choose a recipe, grab a few friends, and spend the afternoon cooking. The food doesn't have to be great. You may create some exciting memories no matter what. Laugh. Enjoy doing something different. It's not really about the food after all.

Kay and Donna's cooking lesson was to prepare a dinner for seven people. The menu was Mediterranean lamb chops, Mushroom risotto, which was a variation of Red onion risotto, a salad with Sweet and sour vinaigrette, and a Berry tart. We finished the prep in less than two hours, and they had plenty of time to spend with their guests before putting the final touches on dinner.

Remember that cooking doesn't have to be a chore. Invite a friend for the afternoon and divide the food for dinner that night. Enjoy the process!