Hands-on Culinary Sessions

We believe that a culinary activity naturally brings people together and that it is an effective and memorable way to build and strengthen relationships with family, friends, colleagues or clients in a fun, informal atmosphere.  

Choose between:

• a hands-on culinary session where every person gets to participate in the preparation of a variety of dishes according to the chosen theme or cuisine. The group will of course enjoy the fruit of their labour afterwards. If you like, the activity can have a competition format, and the group can compete as individuals or as teams.
• a culinary demonstration where a variety of dishes will be demonstrated according to the chosen theme or cuisine. This option is ideal for those who prefer to watch and to not get their hands dirty! The demonstration will be followed by a generous tasting.

Which ever option you prefer, or culinary sessions are ideal for any of the following: Bachelorette party, Kitchen Tea, Baby Shower, Birthday, Engagement, Anniversary, Year-end-function, etc.

Please make contact for more info.

Included

• Preparation and planning of recipes in line with the chosen theme (see options below.
• Facilitating of the culinary session.
• All ingredients and culinary equipment (T’s & C’s apply) required for the culinary session. 
• Hands-on culinary session followed by a three course meal or a demonstration followed by a generous tasting
• Comprehensive take-home recipe booklets. 
• Aprons to be used during the cooking session (please see the next page for info on customised aprons)

Excluded

• cutlery, crockery & serving dishes if the event is taking place at a private house. We will provide a list of serving dishes, etc. required.  
• the cost of hiring cutlery, crockery, serving dishes glassware, etc. if it is not included in the venue hire of the venue.
• alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages.  Please provide your own. Can also be provided by the venue.
• venue hire if using a venue
• travel cost to a private house or venue.

Optional Extras

Custom made aprons can be ordered at R250.00 per apron.  There are 12 colours to choose from.  The aprons can be embroidered or printed with e.g. a company logo or event name, e.g. Sue’s 40th Birthday. The cost is R60.00 per apron for embroidering. Aprons must be ordered and paid for 14 days prior to the event date.

Venue Options & Requirements

We provide mobile culinary services, so we come to you – whether it is a private house, office or venue. Please note: A suitable venue is determined by the following factors:

• the size of the group
• the cuisine chosen (for a bread baking theme where are going to need a venue with multiple ovens, etc.)
• services required of the venue, i.e. to provide coffee/tea at arrival, bottled water for the event, waiting staff, etc. 
• the distance attendees are prepared to travel to a venue, i.e. 5 km, 10 km, 15 km, 20 km or 30 km from your house or office?  
• venue hire differs from venue to venue and are determined by the facilities required for the cuisine/theme chosen by you.  

Cuisines

Below is a list of our most popular cuisines.  Please note that the recipes listed below are to give you an idea which dishes could be included for a specific cuisine.  The selection of dishes that will be made during the session is determined by the size of the group, the facilities at the location as well as seasonal availability of ingredients.  From R850 pp (T’s & C’s apply).

Please note that the cost per person will be R100 to R200 extra for recipes containing e.g. prawns, salmon, beef fillet, lamb, etc.

The following cuisines with their typical dishes are popular at the moment:

Chinese  – Spring rolls, egg fried rice, chow mein, cashew chicken, chicken, beef or pork stir fries with oyster sauce, wontons, sweet & sour beef, chicken or pork, bow ties, almond jelly, etc.

Asian (the best of Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisines) – Prawn crackers, vegetable spring rolls, spinach wraps (with a filling of peanuts, lemon, spring onion, toasted coconut flakes and sweet thai chilli sauce), egg fried rice, sushi rolls, Thai curry, tempura (deep-fried vegetables), chicken, beef or pork satay (sosaties) with peanut sauce, fish cakes with sweet chilli sauce, Chinese bow ties, coconut milk pudding, etc.

French – Chicken liver pate, baguette, credit (variety of raw vegetables with dips), Chicken Cordon Blue (ham and cheese-stuffed chicken breasts), potato au gratin, green bean salad, Crepe Suzette, Clafoutis (raspberry tart).

Hawaiian – Pokey bowls with three different choices of a base, steamed rice, zucchini noodles or pasta. Also a variety of toppings, e.g. cabbage, carrot, pineapple, sweet pepper, spring onion, pickled ginger, etc. and sauces, e.g. soy sauce, mayonnaise, etc.

Greek  – Tzatziki (cucumber & yoghurt dip) chickpea fritters, spanakopita (greek spinach pie), dolmades (vine or cabbage leaves stuffed with herby rice), Orzo greek salad, chicken souvlaki (chickens sosaties), pita bread, bougatsa (phyllo custard slice), greek biscuits, etc.

Indian – Dhal (lentil pate), lassi (yoghurt & fruit or vegetable smoothie), naan bread, Chicken Korma,  Vindaloo, chicken, beef or vegetarian samoosas, basmati rice, pilaf (rice dish), Rice Kheer (Indian rice pudding), Kulfi (Indian Ice-Cream),  etc.

Italian – Basil pesto, olive tapenade (paste), bruschetta (toasted ciabatta with garlic), lasagne rosette (pasta sheets filled with ham and cheese sauce and rolled to look like roses), a variety of pasta sauces, chicken cacciatore (chicken stew), mushroom risotto, panzanella (Tuscan bread salad), biscotti, zabaglione, tiramisu, etc.

Japanese – Miso Soup, sushi rice, a variety of sushi rolls, e.g. sushi rolls, inside-out rolls (avo, cucumber and crab), rainbow rolls (California roll with avo on the outside), fashion sandwiches, etc.  

Lebanese – Pita bread, baba ganoush (roasted eggplant dip), hummus, Kafta kebab (lamb, beef or chicken), falafel, Fattoush salad, Tabouleh, kanafeh (shredded strands of phyllo pastry soaked in a fragrant sugar syrup and layered with soft cheese).

Mexican – Mexican meat sauce, tostadas (flour tortillas with meat sauce, sour cream and cheese filling), re-fried beans, guacamole, home-made tortillas, churro’s with chocolate sauce, etc.

Moroccan – Chickpea pate, dukkah (nut & spice mixture), pita bread, couscous with roasted almonds, roasted vegetables with Moroccan spices, phyllo triangles with meat filling, chicken with orange and olives, phyllo cigars with date & nut filling, rose water pudding,  etc.

Mozambican/ Portuguese – Peri-peri chicken livers, home-made prego rolls or Pao: Portuguese farm bread), Chicken or prawn curry, coconut rice, sweet pepper Portuguese custard tarts or churro’s with chocolate sauce.

South African  – “Vetkoek” with curry mince, bobotie with yellow rice, chakalaka, cheesy maize balls, bunny chow, milk tart, malva pudding, etc.

Spanish – Gazpacho (chilled tomato soup), tortilla (potato omelette), tapas (variety of finger food), Paella, Crema Catalana (baked custard), Churro’s with chocolate sauce.

Thai  – Chicken, beef or pork satay (sosaties) with peanut sauce, fish cakes with sweet chilli sauce, spinach wraps (with a filling of peanuts, lemon, spring onion, toasted coconut flakes and sweet thai chilli sauce), coconut milk pudding, etc.

THEMES 

The themes listed below are popular at the moment.
Cost per person: From R650 pp (T’s & C’s apply).

Not Bread Alone
Learn to make a variety of breads with different fillings, toppings, etc. Also items to accompany bread, e.g. olive tapenade, basil pesto, etc. This option can be combined with our “Sensational Soups From Around The World” theme.  Please note: that this theme can only be booked at a venue or private house where there is more than one oven.

Fun With Phyllo
Learn to make a variety of delicious sweet and savoury recipes with phyllo pastry – from  a variety of different cuisines. Learn to make starters, main course, side dishes and desserts. Please note: that this theme can only be booked at a venue or private house where there is more than one oven.

Sensational Soups From Around The World
Learn how to make a variety of soups with a variety of different toppings.  This option can be combined with our “Not Bread Alone” theme.

Sensational Salads From Around The World
Learn how to make a variety of salads with a variety of different toppings and salad dressings. 

Cupcake Decorating – Cupcake Couture
Each participant will make a pair of high heel shoes out of cupcakes, cookies, chocolate and buttercream icing.

Cupcake Decorating – Succulents
Each participant will decorate a variety of cupcakes with buttercream icing to look like succulents.

Gingerbread House Decorating
Each participant will decorate and assemble a gingerbread house with royal icing and candy.  Various designs to choose from.  See our Please Cookie Decorating Workshop page for more info.