Class Descriptions - The Akaroa Cooking School

Fresh From the Wharf
with Lou Bentley - See timetable for dates

Lou with Murray our fish supplier on the Marie Ann

Seafood, seafood and more seafood. We head down to the end of the wharf (weather permitting!) to see what the boat has brought in and head back to the school to learn how to create some fabulous dishes with the fresh bounty. The class will cover everything from how to source great fresh seafood, what to look out for when buying fish, many different cooking techniques, cooking shellfish, and how to store your fish when you have purchased it or caught it.
We then cook up a storm with all of the abundant seafood the Peninsula has to offer and finish off with a huge seafood feast around the table with matching local wines. A must for those who love to fish, or to cook fish!

The day begins at 10am for coffee and pastries and will conclude around 4pm. Limited spaces $195 including all food, award winning local wines and recipes.

Click here to view timetable.

The Ultimate BBQ
with Lou Bentley - Friday 06th April 2012 - Last class of the season

A fun day out for the lads or lasses – you will kick off at 10am with coffee & tea and some freshly baked treats from the kitchen. Then its time to get the barbie cranked up and learn how to cook that lamb / beef or chicken to perfection every time. You will also learn the art of hot smoking and practice on some freshly caught seafood.
The day will be full of useful tips and some quick and easy marinades, fantastic salads, breads and even a great dessert to take the good old kiwi barbie to a whole new level. Your friends will be over every night of the week they will be so impressed with your new bbq skills.

To conclude the day we will then sit down and enjoy the banquet with a cold one or two. 10am until 4pm. $195 incl all food, award winning local wines and recipes.

Click here to view timetable

Gourmet in a Day
With Lou Bentley - See timetable for dates

Based around a high end four course dinner party menu, this class is for people looking to take their next dinner party to a higher level. The day will kick off with tea, coffee and some freshly baked treats from the kitchen.

You will then get comfortable and spend the next few hours watching the cooking demonstrations and learning about the produce and the techniques involved in creating a fabulous dinner party menu with some canapés to start. There is a real emphasis on what can be prepared in advance so you can spend more time with your guests the next time you are entertaining at home.

Then its time to tuck in to the mouth watering treats that have been demonstrated along with carefully selected award winning NZ wines. The day will finish up around 4pm and you will then be free to walk off lunch around scenic Akaroa.

The day begins at 10am for coffee and pastries and will conclude around 4pm. Limited spaces $195 including all food, award winning local wines and recipes.

Click here to view timetable.

A Day in Thailand
with Lou Bentley - Friday 27th April 2012 - Last class of the season

Inspired by trips throughout Thailand over the years the cooking school has put together their favourite Thai dishes into a one off special class - 'A Day in Thailand'. From making and cooking dumplings, dipping sauces, Thai curries, stir fry's, Pad Thai, Asian salads, this class is perfect for those who love Thai food and are keen to learn the tips and techniques on maximising those flavours we all love about Thai food.

The cooking school team will also show you the essential kitchen equipment required to help in the cooking process, where to buy them and also where to source authentic Thai ingredients.

The day begins at 10am for coffee and pastries and will conclude around 4pm. This is a one off class - limited spaces $195 including all food, wine, beer and recipes.

Click here to view timetable.

A Day in Italy
with Lou Bentley - Friday 04th May 2012, Saturday 26th May 2012

Inspired by travels throughout Italy, we share our favourite Italian dishes in a special class - 'A Day in Italy'. Based on a traditional trattoria menu we will make pasta, risotto, bake ciabatta, and many other classics that will transport you to Italy for the day.

Cooking and eating is absolutely central to family life in Italy and a long lunch around the schools large dining with matching wines will follow the demonstrations.

The day begins at 10am for coffee and pastries and will conclude around 4pm. Limited spaces $195 including all food, award winning local wines and recipes.

Click here to view timetable.

Vegetarian Feast
with Lou Bentley - Sunday, 29th April 2012

Come along and learn an inspired range of interesting, satisfying and nutritious vegetarian recipes that will make even the avid meat eater jealous of. The menu is designed to inspire those looking to enhance their vegetarian repetoire.

We will show you a great range of vegetarian recipes that will make your next dinner party an occasion none of your friends are going to want to miss.

Then its time to tuck in to the mouth watering treats that have been demonstrated along with carefully selected matching NZ wines. 10am until around 4pm. $180 incl all food, wine and recipes.

Click here to view timetable.

Autumn Harvest
with Lou Bentley - Sunday, 22nd April 2012

The Akaroa Cooking School will be sharing autumn recipes from seasonal produce we have collected from in and around Akaroa and the harbour.

Autumn is a fantastic time of year for cooking. Some of the produce is at it's best and with winter fast approaching it's time to make the most of it.

The cooking school team will demonstrate lots of simple mouth watering recipes with the produce we have collected and the day will finish up by having an autumn feast at the large dining table with matching NZ wines.

We will demonstrate that by using great produce and following the right cooking techniques you can produce restaurant quality food right there in your own home.

The day will finish up around 4pm. $195 including all food, award winning wines and recipes.

Click here to view timetable.

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