Upcoming Classes!

Below are the classes I am teaching at both Cooks of Crocus Hill and Chef's Gallery ( links to the side):

Cooks of Crocus Hill

An Introduction to Cooking (Participation)
Monday June 9th 6-9 pm

Designed for the beginner chef, this hands-on class offers the perfect introduction to basic cooking. We'll cover a wide range of techniques, including pan roasting, reductions and soufflŽs. By the end of the session, you will have prepared a fabulous meal and have new culinary skills to last a lifetime. Each group makes all the recipes.

Menu: Cheese Straws; Caesar Salad; Roasted Potatoes; Chicken Marsala; Chocolate Souffle

An Introduction to Food and Cooking: Asian (Participation)

Monday August 25th 6-9pm

Designed for the beginner chef, this hands-on class offers the perfect introduction to basic cooking. We'll cover a wide range of techniques, including emulsifying, pan roasting, reductions and meat cookery. By the end of the session, you'll have both a fabulous meal to enjoy and new culinary skills to last a lifetime. Each group makes all the recipes.

Menu: Sweet-and-Sour Chicken; Savory Garlicky Salad; Potstickers with Dipping Sauce; Perfect Rice; Passion Fruit Cream Pie.

Chef's Gallery

Easy Weekday Grilling Meals
Tuesday, June 10, 6pm-9pm

Nothing is easier after a long day at work than firing up the grill and enjoying a cool drink while dinner cooks. With minimal prep and a little planning-ahead, you can enjoy savory meals that won’t dirty your kitchen or take all night to cook. Rachael will explain how to select good cuts of meat, how different marinades will tenderize the meat, various techniques for charcoal or gas grills, and most importantly, how to tell when your meat is done to perfection.

Rachael has three quick meals planned for tonight: Grilled Meat Lover’s Pizza and Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad; Grilled Steak and Veggie Burritos with Grilled Corn Meal; and Grilled Halibut en Papillote with Herbed Butter and Vegetables, and White Asparagus with Pesto Sauce.

Hands-on Party Tapas
Thursday, August 28, 6pm-9pm

Rachael will discuss how to plan and prepare ahead for a dinner party, demonstrate chopping techniques, assembly and storage, and how to make excellent dipping sauces for any occasion. You will make each of the items with two or three other people, so come with friends if you wish.

We will sip wine as we prepare Stuffed Tomatoes, Spicy Beef Empanaditas with Cumin Aioli, Grilled Chicken Skewers, Mini Chili Corn Muffins with Pancetta, Avocado and Cilantro, and Blueberry Tartlets with Lemon Curd.

Maybe a Sub-Zero is in my future...

As I sit here in my mono induced stupor watching my husband take out wild dogs in his new video game the "Call of Duty", I am placing a Simon Delivers order. Who says old married couples don't have fun together! In addition to my lack of appetite, I also have a lack of a desire to cook. I told Joel he would know I was better because I would be in the kitchen again.


My fridge, sensing its impending disuse, decided to kick the bucket as well. Thursday I came home to a fridge that was smoking up the kitchen. Since then we have been eating out a bit and buying non-perishable items. On a side note I have rediscovered my love of Fig Newtons.

Today the fridge was repaired after about $800 worth of parts were replaced. Thank goodness the previous owners bought a full out warranty on the fridge! What we learned today is that most fridges require an average of $200 worth of maintenance at about the five year mark. The fridge goes downhill after that. How insane is that?? And the average lifespan of a fridge is about 12 years. Too sad. Makes me wonder if I can ever justify buying a Sub-Zero fridge....going to have to put some thought into that one.


So now back to my Simon list. Today I will be exploring pre-made items...will let you know if I find any gems.

Not Hungry

So it totally feels weird, but for the last few days I have had zero appetite. Friday I found out I have mono, and aside from the headaches, fevers, sore throat and other frustrating maladies (like your body deciding to shut down on you when you are just getting into a good book...or trying to work) I think one of the saddest things has been my loss of appetite.

And I miss it.

Food just doesn't taste as good. I don't even get rumblings in my tummy when reading my favorite cookbooks. So, to you appetite...I took you for granted. I even blamed you for evil cravings.

Never again.

Wherever you are, I miss you and eagerly await your return!