Beef up your cooking skills

PARKHURST – Aspiring cooks and those who’d like a little help finding their way around a kitchen can look forward to a cooking course next month.

The four-week hands-on course will begin at the suburb’s recreation centre on 2 November.

According to facilitator Dawn Carter, students will cook everything themselves under her instruction.

“A few of the dishes we’ll cook include vegetarian lasagne, a spicy Shepherd’s Pie, a chicken and leek pie, and a number of summer recipes,” she said.

Carter added that different aspects of basic cooking theory would be covered by the course.

“These include the correct preparation of different sauces, the correct methods of food storage, handling different meats, and correct measurement techniques. Anyone with a keen interest in cooking is welcome to attend,” she said.

Carter will also hold an eight-week catering and hospitality course, which will also begin on 2 November. Registration will take place on 26 October.

“This intensive, hands-on course is fun and informative, and will be beneficial for anyone thinking of making food and beverage or the hospitality industry their career,” said Carter.

The course will include subjects such as function administration, function organisation, staff organisation, sanitation and safety, menu pricing and styles, standardised recipes, determining standard food and beverage costs for menu items, pricing individual menu items, stock control, food knowledge, basic table setting and napkin folding, advertising and marketing, business plans, and hands-on practical cooking and baking skills.

Details: 071-869-7469.