I consider myself a decent home cook. By this I mean I can joint a chicken, cook pasta to al dente and I also do a line in a good jus.
But I can’t temper chocolate and frankly I wouldn’t even make the audition phase on Masterchef without threatening to cut someone.
But like most home cooks, I like to expand my repertoire even if it is just in theory.
What seems like a lifetime ago when I was a pre-teen, I was sent on some holiday cooking classes run by the local natural gas company (it makes sense if you are Australian). We learned how to make tuna casserole with a packet of chips and a tin of cream of chicken soup. True story.
My tastes and abilities have become more sophisticated since then and I have been able to take cooking classes and “masterclasses” in places as diverse as the Maldives and Florence. Yes I am a tosser.
But for those in Doha looking for something closer to home, several places are running summertime cooking classes with, dare I say it, a touch of class.
Speaking of tossing, you can learn the art of Italian pizza making at Opal by Gordon Ramsay at the St Regis Doha. Learn how to cook the best pizza in town following Chef Elias (who has just returned from a tour of Italy) advice and cook your own every Tuesday from 11am.
The Four Seasons Doha is running a series of fabulously glamorous classes called “Taste and Learn”.
The next one is on Thursday, May 29th at 7:00 p.m., which includes a live cooking lesson with a four-course set menu at Il Teatro restaurant. Every guest will be able to watch the live preparation and will then taste what they have seen created. Guests will also receive a recipe brochure outlining each dish.
For more information go to Taste and Learn
The Ritz Carlton Doha also dabbles in the art of teaching cooking to the masses. ‘Corso di Cucina’ teaches the art of preparing a festive Italian dinner hosted by Italian Chef Daniele Vacca. Starting at 10 am followed by a coffee break at 10:30 am and lunch serving time is 12 noon.
Check out the Ritz’s calendar of events for more information.
OK so cocktails may not technically be cooking but put enough fruit and other fixings on a toothpick and you can call it what you want. The Grand Hyatt Doha has cocktail classes every Tuesday hosted by their Aussie mixologist Anita. Guests can enjoy the cocktails and a selection of finger food for QAR200.
So now you have no excuse!
