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"Pinoy Ako" Philippine Island Cuisine
The tastes of the Philippines are the home town flavours of chef Sunny de Ocampo. Filipino cuisine is the marriage of Spanish falvours, the influences of South-East Asia and the those of the indigenous cuisine of the Philippine islands themselves. It is "cuina sin frontera, " cuisine without borders. In this class our Islander from Down Under will take you on a voyage of discovery of his homeland to sample the unique flavours of Filipino food, such as Kilawin Ceviche of Hiramasa Yellow tail King Fish and mixed baby tomato salad, "Quail Adobo" in Sweet Vinegared Soy marinade or Escabeche of Crisp fried Sand Whitting in Sweet and Sour Sauce.
A Bangkok Night
Sunny's three week exploration of Thai cooking was so popular that it booked out in a flash. There were many disappointed people who pleaded for another Thai class. Rather than repeat the earlier classes, Sunny has decided to teach you some recipes inspired by the street food of Thailand. Sunny will teach you how to get that incredible zing that is found in the best hawker's food on the streets of Bangkok. Whether you are a newcomer or an old hand at Thai cooking, this class is for you. Your taste buds will thank you for the experience!
A High Tea
A High Tea is a sophisticated way of eating a light but special meal with friends and taking some refreshing tea late in the afternoon. here is the perfect present for your Mum for Mother's day! In the class, Philippa will guide you in the production and presentation of some lovely cakes, sandwiches and cold cuts, which we will then enjoy with much pomp and circumstance! We will try and source some nice china to compliment the China Black and Earl Grey and Philippa will give you some tips on making the table look just fabulous. Witty conversation and perhaps even some gossip might be heard!
Chef's Secrets
We have repeatedly been asked to do a class on basic kitchen skillls. These skills make cooking so much less stressful and so much easier. Sophie has a huge number of hints and secrets that she wants to share with you to acheive these goals, from knife skills to the correct amount of seasoning to knowing when things are just perfectly cooked. For example steak and fish can be tricky, but not after this class! These are among the skills and hints that you will learn about in this class.
Chocolat!
First there was the novel by Joanne Harris, and then the film with Juliette Binochet. Now there is the cooking class with Sophie! In this class, Sophie will explore the sinfully delicious world of chocolate. Chocolate is such a versatile and wonderful ingredient. It can be used in every part of a meal; it also can be a snack, a fabulous drink and much else. Sophie will show you how to use chocolate creatively. This is the class for all chocoholics. And we know there are many of you, so do book straight away as this class will fill quickly.
Cocktails and Canapés
Chef Sunny opens the Summer term with a party. Sunny's Friday sessions at The Cooking Professors Cooking School have proven to be extremely popular. Book this one quickly so that you won't be disappointed. Bring your mates and learn how to create delicious summer canapés. There may be a ceviche of white fish or baby tomato tarts. Cool down and muddle your way to a refreshing taste of tropical and summer cocktails, such as a white sangria con menta or a tropical nami borocay. A perfect way to chill with friends on the sunny side after a week's work.
Cooking Delicious(ly)
Many of us buy the foodie magazines. But do we really use them well? In this class with the Cooking Professor, Peter, we will cook as many recipes as we can over a month using the current Delicious magazine as our guide. After this four week class, you will be confident to exploit to the full those foodie magazines that you buy. And if you don’t buy the magazines, here is a great way to learn how to expand your cooking horizons without spending a lot of money on cooking books.
Dads & Daughters, Mums & Sons! (Under 12s)
The Cooking Professor has had a large number of enquiries from young people wanting to learn to cook and from parents who want to cook with their children. We have instituted this class to meet your requests. Our previous classes have booked out and they were raging successes! In today's class, Riki will teach parents and their younger children about cooking. This is a really great way for parents and children to get together and have fun learning new skills and eating healthy, good food. Come to the Kitchen and have fun together! Today's class is designed for yopunger children and their parents. (Every second month, we will schedule another class for teenagers and their parents.) The price is for a parent-child duo. Extra children can be included for $30 per child.
Dim Sum: Asian Tapas!
We think of tapas as being Spanish. But what about all those wonderful small plate and by-hand snacks that are so prevalent throughout Asia? In Australia, we draw inspiration from all over the world for our tapas. In this Friday evening sundowner, Chef Sunny will lead you through the preparation and enjoyment of a selection of the delicious small plate dishes, from sushi to rice paper rolls to dim sum and many more, that you will find in the countries of Asia. As Sunny says ' Ni Hao!, Yokoso! Mabuhay!'
Cost $80 per student
Enjoying The Good Life
You know a little about cooking, but you want to extend your skills to be the confident entertainer. This is the class for you! In this four week class, we will explore how to put together a Dinner Party for your family and friends. You will learn how to put together a menu, how to give it the 'wow' factor but not be a slave to the kitchen and how to make the whole function enjoyable - for you as well as your guests. You can enrol for all four weeks at a discounted price of $75 per class or for just single weeks at $80. Preference will be given for those that book for all four weeks.
Family Cooking Can Be Fun
Family cooking can be a challenge. Not only is there the difficulty of coming up with a varied and changing menu, but the food has to be healthy, too. And of course, EVERYONE seems to have different likes and dislikes. Then there is the issue of watching the budget! In this four class series, Phillipa Lindsell, who bakes for a number of cafes around Perth and is a young mum and a great cook, will lead you through some truly tasty dishes for your family and she will pass on many tips on how to keep the menu interesting, healthy and economical.
Finger Food and Canapés
One of the best ways of entertaining is to serve lovely small food. In this Friday sundowner class, Riki will teach you how to prepare delicious finger food and canapes. The skill with finger food and canapes is to maximise the taste and visual appeal while minimising the work in the kitchen. Let Riki show you the way. Of course a feature of our Friday sundowners is a glass of beautiful Riseborough Estate wine. So end the week well with this enjoyable and instructive class!
French Gourmet
Our Gourmet days have become just so booked out that we have had to add another one! After much pleading, the cooking Professor has persuaded chef Sophie to host her inaugural French gourmet class. And she has agreed. Enrol for this day of Gallic fun in the kitchen, followed by the brilliant French-inspired feast that you have prepared. Invite your best firend(s) as a guest!
Gourmet BBQ
The Barbecue is a great Australian tradition for entertaining family and friends, especially in summer . Yet how often does it result in burnt snags and limp, boring salads? In this class, help is at hand! Convert your BBQ into a stress-free, gourmet experience. Sophie will take you through some fabulous recipes and give you some great tips so that your BBQs will be memorable experiences. Abandon boring and burnt BBQs forever!
Gourmet Dinner - My Sunny Valentine
This very popular Saturday class leads to a wonderful gourmet dinner for participants and their partners or friends. This class, on the eve of Valentine's Day, will be taken by Sunny de Ocampo. Sunny's first Gourmet Saturday late in 2009 was one of the highlight classes of that year and this one is sure to match. Chef Sunny will present a culinary journey to all lovers of food and passionate cooks. Join in and create a labour of love in The Cooking Professor's Kitchen. Taste, feel the textures and share the flavours.
The class begins at 10:30am and includes lunch. At 4pm preparation ends and students go home to freshen up. At 7pm they return with their partner/friends and have a wonderful dinner party consuming the food they have prepared. Share a unique experience with your friends. Limit of 24 people, 12 cooking students and 12 guests. BYO.
Gourmet Journey
This class, taken by chef Sunny, is a variation on our usual Gourmet Saturdays. This class will commence at the Cooking School at 10:30am. From there, Sunny will take you to Northbridge where he will host you in a shopping and tasting tour of his favourite shops and restaurants. You will then return to the Cooking School and prepare a feast using what you have gathered on Sunny's 'hunting and gathering' tour. After cooking, you will sit down to eat the results of your work. (if you wish to bring a guest to this part of the day, please do so! Your guest should arrive at the Cooking School at about 4pm.) This will be a memorable 'foodie' experince covering all the steps in gourmet cooking.
Greece and Turkey: So near but...
Despite any political tension between, Greece and Turkey, they share more than a little in their cuisines. Let the world of cuisine rule in terms of harmony!! In this class, Riki Kaspi, whose family background is in part Turkish but who loves Greek food, will take you on an harmonious journey through the eastern end of the Mediterranean to sample recipes from both Greece and Turkey. This will be a fascinating journey.
Indian Nights, Indian Delights
India is a kaleidoscope of wonderful flavours. In this Friday Sundowner class Chef Sunny will take you on a journey through India, tasting spicey and oh so satisfying Indian food. Here is the guide to preparing wonderful dishes from the sub-continent, such as Dosa Masala, Tandoori Lamb Kabob and Chicken Tikka Skewers. And, of course, also on the menu will be those important accompaniments - the chutneys and sauces. This class will be a revelation in just how tasty Indian food can be!
It's Autumn
The best way of cooking is to use seasonal produce. Why? Because flavour is at a maximum when produce is in season. In this class you will expand your ideas for Autumn eating with Peter, the Cooking Professor. The weather is getting cooler and the rain (we hope!) has arrived. Autumn is a great time to begin to explore those comfort foods. It is a time for mushrooms, the beginning of the best time for root vegetables and a time for great meats. But it is also the time for the last of the summer fruits - the best of all possible worlds! Autumn is just right for sharing steaming plates with friends and family inside or having the last of your al fresco meals before winter sets in.
Light and Easy
All of us seem just so busy, so much so that cooking time is at a premium. However, we do want to eat good, tasty food that does not weigh us down. In this class, you will learn how to make quick meals for you, your family or your friends that are tasty and exciting but do not require a huge investment in time at the stove. With summer in full flight, the emphasis will be on light food suitable for these hot days and nights.
Mediterranean Journey
The Mediterranean diet is widely regarded as one of the tastiest and healthiest diets around. And the climate is the same as WA's, so it is no accident that Mediterranean foods can be so exciting for us Western Australians. However, the Mediterranean stretches from Spain and Morocco in the West to Turkey and Lebanon in the East, with France, Italy, Greece, North Africa in between. And don't forget those islands! The variety of food is nearly endless. In this journey we will cook some old favourites and the more unusual dishes that can be found around the shores of the Mediterranean It is sure to be a tasty and adventurous journey! This class can be taken as a four week series or individual classes (students booking all four weeks will have priority, however). For details of each week's class, please see the individual listings.
Mediterranean Journey (Aug-Sept)
The Mediterranean diet is widely regarded as one of the tastiest and healthiest diets around. And the climate is the same as WA's, so it is no accident that Mediterranean foods can be so exciting for us Western Australians. However, the Mediterranean stretches from Spain and Morocco in the West to Turkey and Lebanon in the East, with France, Italy, Greece, North Africa in between. And don't forget those islands! The variety of food is nearly endless. In this journey we will cook some old favourites and the more unusual dishes that can be found around the shores of the Mediterranean It is sure to be a tasty and adventurous journey! This class can be taken as a four week series or individual classes (students booking all four weeks will have priority, however). For details of each week's class, please see the individual listings.
Mediterranean Journey - Spain and North Africa
The cuisines of Morocco and Spain are going through a rediscovery. It is not hard to see why. With influences from North Africa, France and Italy as well as from the voyages of discovery to the Americas, Spanish food typically has strong flavours and brilliant colours. And Moroccan food is one of the great cuisines of the world. The emphasis in both is on the subtle use of spices to produce a marvellous concoction of aromas, tastes and colours. In this class, we will explore some classic dishes and some in the modern-style, as well.
Mediterranean Journey - The South of France
The South of France: sunshine, rolling hills redolent with herbs and the sea. All of these are the backdrop to a famous cuisine that is noted for its seafood, lamb and olives. In this class, let's go on a culinary journey to this land that follows the Mediterranean coast from the Spain to the Alps. We will prepare (and eat!) some dishes that are typical of this wonderful region, but which are just so suitable for Perth.
Meet and Eat
It is hard to meet the right person. Night clubs and pubs are so noisy and not really conducive to conversation. What could be more convivial than a fun night preparing luscious food with Sophie and then sitting down to eat what you have produced over a glass of wine in an intimate setting with some like-minded new friends? At worst, you will have a fun-filled night learning to cook good food and then relaxing over a delicious meal. And the best case scenario? Who knows? You blokes are very much encouraged to enrol so that we get a nice balance, as the women's places tend to book out fast! To ensure gender balance we have restricted the male booking to 6 places. males enrol as regular class attendees. To separate female enrolments from male ones, Girls should enrol as "guests" - there are 6 spots available for them.
Meet and Eat - Girls
It is hard to meet the right person. Night clubs and pubs are so noisy and not really conducive to conversation. What could be more convivial than a fun night preparing luscious food under Sophie's guidance and then sitting down to eat what you have produced over a glass of wine in an intimate setting with some like-minded new friends? At worst, you will have a fun-filled night learning to cook good food and then relaxing over a delicious meal. And the best case scenario? Who knows? This is a special girls wanting to meet girls night for Meet and Eat.
Mezze and Tapas ®
The Cooking School's Friday sundowners continue with this ever-so-popular class. Create and taste lovely little bite-sized morsels from Spain to the Middle East and the Levant with Riki Kaspi. Mezze and tapas are the perfect snacks to have with a glass of wine after work. Also by learning to make a range of Mezze and Tapas you will be the perfect entertainer for your friends. What could be a better way of starting your cooking weekend?
Modern Australian
Modern Australian cuisine borrows from all the cultures of those who have come to our shores to live and work and play. Our cuisine is innovative, tasty and appealing to all the senses. You will learn in this class a range of recipes that feature the influences of old Europe, Asia and our indigenous culture. Come on Aussie, Come on!
Olé Paella
Chef Sunny's series of Friday night sun downers continues with this very popular exploration of one of Spain's greatest contributions to the world of cuisine: the oh-so-tasty paella. Take a trip to the coast of Spain right here in heart of Perth and learn how to make one of the tastiest dishes in the world from a chef who ranks the paella as one of his signature dishes. Making a paella can be just a little challenging, given the necessity of getting everything from fish and shellfish to chicken and rice to cook together. Learn to time everything to perfection from the paella master, Chef Sunny de Ocampo.
Pig Out!
We at the Cooking School have made friends with some really great producers. Among them are Anne and Neil Kavanagh who own the wonderful Spencer's Brook Farm in the Avon Valley. The Kavanaghs specialise in a rare breed of pig, the Berkshire. The Berkshire is reputed to produce the best tasting pork. The Emperor of Japan will eat none other apparently. The Pigs are raised organically (subject to organic grain availability - an issue!) and are free range, and thus make the tastiest pork. On this special night, Neil and Anne will work with Sophie to teach you how to make your own berkshire sausages. Note that the method of making the sausages will be simple and will not require expensive equipment. Not only will we eat the sausages, together with some lovely accompaniments, but you will have the opportunity to take some of your sausages home to share with your family and friends. This will be a special night. Only 12 places, so please be quick!
Sitting Duck
Chef Sunny loves teaching you about duck. In this class, Sunny will dispel any rumours that cooking with duck is difficult. The class will explore how to use duck to make some stunning small dishes. Be it tapas or yum cha, duck is a fantastic ingredient for tasty and stylish small dishes. And being a Friday sundowner, there will be ample opportunity to taste some wines and enjoy conversation and company with your fellow sundowner participants. End the work week well.
Slow Dance
Not into speed dating? Well then slow down and dance in The Cooking Professors Kitchen for this Friday sundowner. Dress to impress, then cook to astonish. Chef Sunny is hosting this cooking class for singles who are looking for the perfect recipe to match that perfect man or woman of your taste. Ignite your love and passion for food and wine, and then maybe ... Who knows? This class is for a lucky eight participants, 4 gents + 4 ladies, to maximise the opportunity for fun and conversation.
Sophie's 'Masterchef'
No, the Cooking School is not turning into a real TV set! But we thought we might have a bit of fun with our very own version of that amazingly addictive cooking show, Masterchef. This TV program has really captured the imagination of many of us. It certainly led to a lot of people becoming interested in cooking and coming along to our cooking classes. What are your Masterchef fantasies? Let's find out! And here are a couple of secrets - Sophie would dearly love to become a TV star and the Cooking Professor would secretly like to have the sneer and the cravat of that Preston fellow!! Sophie will host a 'Masterchef' at the cooking school and the Cooking Professor will ponce about as the judge. All we need is some contestants! And there will be real prizes - Vouchers for Cooking Classes with us in 2010! Come along and live your Masterchef dream as you prepare your dish. But mostly just come along and have some fun!
Sophie's Autumn
The best way of cooking is to use seasonal produce. Why? Because flavour is at a maximum when produce is in season. In this class you will expand your ideas for Autumn eating with Sophie Budd. The weather is getting cooler and the rain (we hope!) has arrived. Autumn is a great time to begin to explore those comfort foods. It is a time for mushrooms, the beginning of the best time for root vegetables and a time for great meats. But it is also the time for the last of the summer fruits - the best of all possible worlds! Autumn is just right for sharing steaming plates with friends and family inside or having the last of your al fresco meals before winter sets in.
Stick 'Em Up!
Some of the world's tastiest food comes to you on a stick! From satays to shish kebabs, great food is skewered. In this Friday sundowner, Chef Sunny will teach you the secrets of making your skewered food as tasty as possible. Meats, fish and vegetables are all possibilities to be sticked up. But don't forget the fragrant fruits, either! Not only will Sunny grin and grill as shows you the art of the skewer, but he will also teach you about sauces and condiments that accompany your sticks. Don't be stuck up, book now!
Sticky Winter Puddings
When the rain is pelting down and the temperature is falling through the floor, what could be better than a lovely, warming winter pudding? In this class Sophie will show you how to produce a range of those sticky, sweet and oh-so-satisfying winter puddings that will ward off the cold and make the rain on the roof sing! Learn to finish off those winter meals with substance as well as style.
Summer in Perth
The Cooking Professor has been looking through some great French cook books over the break and trying out some new recipes inspired by his time in Paris in 2009. Of course summer in Paris is not like summer in Perth - but the cuisine of a Parisian summer is perfect for a Perth summer! And we have the beaches, not a feature of Paris. Come and be inspired by Peter's summer menu influenced by the cuisine of France, but perfect for Perth.
The Antipasto Platter
One of the best parts (and there are many!) of a typical Italian meal is the antipasto platter. The name translates to "before the meal." The antipasto platter sharpens the appetite and raises expectations about what is to come. It is typically a wonderful array of tasty morsels, from cured meats to roasted or marinated vegetables, from fresh, ripe baby tomatoes to a selection of fabulous cheeses. In this class, chef Sophie will teach you how to put together sensational antipasti platters that are as appealing to the eye as they are to the palate.
Vegetarian Feast
Vegetables are healthy! And they make for an infinite variety of wonderful tasty food. Vegetables are not just for vegetarians. This is a class for anyone who wants to add some variety to their diet beyond what can be the boring old meat and two as well as for vegetarians. With Peter, you will learn to build a menu around vegetables to extend your knowledge and to impress your vegetarian and meat-eating friends alike.
Winter Comfort
The chilly winds of winter are upon us, the rain is on the roof and the fire is blazing inside. It is time for those slow cooked, heart warming winter dishes. In this class you will learn how to make the perfect winter meal, from hearty soups to wonderful slow cooked braises; and it is time for those wonderful root vegetables, too. We will look at how to gain maximum flavour by using good stocks. And we will not forget those lovely sticky, delicious winter puddings either. Of course there will be a glass of Western Australian red at hand!
Wok with Sunny
Join Chef Sunny for a Wok adventure across the Great Wall of China and discover fresh and tasty wok cooked dishes. Learn how to season your wok, how to stir fry noodles and wok some Asian vegetables. On the menu, there may be diced ginger chicken in Asian vegetables and cashew nuts, Shanghai egg noodles with shredded pork and Asian leaves and also a flaming seafood dish in this one night journey. Learn Sunny's fried rice techniques and many more Chinese cooking secrets utilising that most versatile of cooking utensils, the wok.
Yokoso Japan
Learn the art of sushi with a Chef Sunny De Ocampo. Sunny is an ultra-enthusiastic teacher and he will let you in on his secrets from the “Land of the Rising Sun.” Create your own sushi with a new modern twist using the freshest ingredients with extra flare and fun. Learn new style sushi with your favourite fillings like gingered tempura prawns, pickled spiced sashimi and soy tea poached tofu. Oishi ne! (Bloody wicked mates!)
Yummy Mummies
How about getting together with some other Mums (or Dads!) for a morning cooking class and coffee? In this class, Sophie will go through lots of hints for keeping the family food agenda exciting, inventive and yes, Yummy!! Learn some kitchen skills, meet new and old friends and finish with a lovely lunch that you have cooked. Of course, the kids are welcome, too!
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