Welcome to my kitchen! I look forward to sharing my experiences and passions.

New courses are in development – if you have a passion, fear, or curiosity, send me a suggestion on what you’d like to learn next.

courses@gemchef.com

We all take classes for different reasons – which is your reason to join?

                Have more confidence
                Refine your skills and intuition
                Dietary restrictions
                Cook for and hang out with friends and fam, who love great food and drink as much as you
                Expand your repertoire

Learn to feel comfortable cooking, whether for yourself, your family, or a table full of friends. With close guidance you’ll develop key cooking techniques that will enable you to confidently make many more dishes from each recipe.

BUILDING BASICS

Hone your skills in specific areas, so they are great whether you’re a beginner, or just want to refresh your knowledge.  

KNIFE SKILLS
BREAD

The fundamentals of both yeasted and quick breads.

The nature of yeast – start a starter
Focaccia/flat breads
Seeded Baguette
Irish Soda Bread

 THE SPICE ROUTE

Tips on using herbs, spices and marinades. You will learn to put together a range of spices so you’re ready on a whim to make anything you like! Start with the basics, as if you just moved into your first pad. Then we’ll add

U.S. Regional
Mexican
Italian
Thai
Indian
etc.

WINE, BEVERAGES

COMPONENTS OF WINE 

Deconstructs the scents in your wine glass. It is great fun and one of the most popular courses.
The better you can describe what you like, the easier it is to get what you’d like in a restaurant or wine shop.

MAKING GREAT COCKTAILS 

In these days of amazing cocktails, both classic and innovative, there are a few tricks to know so yours are always well-balanced and tasty.

Bitters, simple syrups, liquor combinations, etc.

FOCUS

Based on a single food (say, shrimp), region, or ethnicity. Perhaps we will celebrate the foods of a special day or event.   Some examples:

SOUTHWEST

Piñon Fideo (Noodles) in Broth
Ancho Chile-Glazed Chicken
Orange/Achiote Pork Tacos
Posole
Mexican Cole Slaw
Bizcochitos (Anise seed cookies)

CIAO, CAESAR!
AN ITALIAN MENU

Porcini Focaccia
Insalata Mista with Roman Spring Vinaigrette
Gambero Rosso (Red Shrimp) on Herbed Orzo
Pork Chops with Fennel
Raspberry Tiramisú
Cioccolato “Salami” with Orange Sorbetto

POULTRY

Chicken Paillards on Herbed Waffles with Lime Butter
Perfect Roast Chicken
Game Hens with Coconut-Cilantro Sauce
Quail with Grilled Polenta
Chicken Liver Mousse

TERRIFIC THAI

Fragrant Chicken Soup
Beef Salad w/Green Papaya
Yellow Curry
Coconut Cream Pie

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL DAY

Soft Vanilla Caramels
Cho-mato Bruschetta
Chocolate-flecked chèvre under blistered, sweet-spiced cherry tomatoes
Caramel-Marinated New Yorks
Caramel Cake with Chocolate Drizzle

SUPER SIDES & STARTERS

Spinach Dip with Chipotle & Lime
LomiLomi Salmon Cups
Radish Pesto Crostini
Oven-Crisped Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Vegetable Bread Pudding
Quinoa Pilaf
Asparagus with Chèvre and Fleur de Sel