Fun Times on Saturday

I thought things would be slowing down a little and I would be getting back to normal, but I've been pretty busy and next week is more of the same.  I mean that I'll be busy, not that I'll be doing the same things every day.  Maybe I am getting to a new normal.

Saturday was a lot of fun, I had 2 cooking classes on my schedule.  The first one was at The Cook's Warehouse in Decatur for ages 6 to 9.  The menu featured Summer Snacks and consisted of:

• Cambodian Summer Rolls
• Cheddar Cheese and Turkey Puffs
• Chocolate Chip Loaves

I beleive that kids are just people too and like to eat all kinds of good food and often parents comment that they would like to learn to make what we're making.  I explained to the class that they were cooking with several ingredients that many adults were afraid to tackle - puff pastry, rice paper wrappers and rice noodles and they may have been impressed but mostly wanted to cook and have fun.

During this class I met a young culinary entrepreneur named Lizzie.  You can see her in the picture above to the right of Hudson in the chef hat.  She has her own website Lizzie Marie Cuisine, creates cooking demonstration videos and wants to attend Le Cordon Bleu in Paris.  How wonderful is that! 

Lizzie and her mom sent me a picture of Lizzie with me.  I just had to add it!

After the morning cooking class I went home, had a late lunch, organized some things to take to the class that evening and had a 20 minute nap.  I needed a little re-charging.

At 6 pm I met Rebecca and her husband Gary at their home.  Oh yes, also Ellie the dog.  Rebecca's co-workers knew that Rebecca wanted to learn to cook so they purchased my services as a gift to her.  Last night was the first session of one on one cooking classes.  We made sauteed chicken with two kinds of pan sauces, roasted green beans and couscous.  They sat down to a delicious home cooked meal and now can recreate that whenever they like.  We had fun, they learned, we chatted, it was very informal.  We're setting up our next class where they want to learn some recipes to have a dinner party at their home. 

Today I don't have many plans.  I have a couple loads of laundry, did not do any yesterday, need to go to the library to return books and get more, make dinner, probably nap, maybe do some knitting.

Again no grocery shopping.  I am teaching next week for Culinary Business Academy two days, have one  client and have two sessions of teaching the KitchenAid pasta attachment.  I know, the personal chef's family has no meals.  Not true - we still have nice, ripe tomatoes and they are always good!