Lakeside Culinary

Learn to cook in the beautiful Shuswaps

Pan-Frying

A popular class awaits! Dust off those expensive stainless-steel pans that have been hiding in the back of your cupboard, because this class will transform how you cook cuts of chicken and pork in a pan. Having food stick is a major setback and frustration for many when using this cooking method. Aside from learning the chef tricks to proper pan-frying, you'll also learn how to test for doneness so there's no more guessing when the proteins you cook are 'done.' You'll create juicy on the inside and golden on the outside results and be introduced to pan sauces—your new best flavor friend. Once you get the hang of this valuable cooking technique, you'll be able to craft quick and creative restaurant-quality mains any night of the week.

Chicken Stock

Rich stock is an invaluable asset in the kitchen. With it, chefs know how to enhance the flavor in much of their cooking - from exquisite soups and stews to rich sauces and more. Commercially boxed or jarred concentrates often fall short. They either lack flavor, are overly salty or simply don't have enough gelatin - all which leads to the home cook's frustration when aiming for specific results. Learn to think like a chef and don't discard those leftover chicken bones - they are gold! Understanding the technique of proper stock making and how to use it will help boost the flavor in much of your cooking - guaranteed!

Potato Gnocchi

Delicious, pillowy homemade potato gnocchi is an Italian delicacy. Learn how to properly prepare this inexpensive, yet glorious dough! You'll discover different ways to shape and cook gnocchi, and how to sauce it. Additionally, you'll learn the proper methods to store gnocchi, allowing you to enjoy this elegant dish any night of the week. Say goodbye to buying those overpriced, hard and gummy dough balls on the store shelf and hello to scrumptious gnocchi made from scratch.

Risotto

Learn the essentials of crafting restaurant-worthy risotto dishes from scratch - from the proper ingredients and equipment to the techniques for achieving creamy perfection. Uncover trade secrets and discover a basic formula that you can vary to create an endless number of new risotto dishes. Once this cooking technique is understood, your culinary skills are guaranteed to be elevated. Spend time in the kitchen with your newfound confidence making these sensational rice dishes and implementing your own flavor twists.

Stir-Frying Basics

Learn the basics of stir-frying from preparing the ingredients to the proper sequence and heat management. From a basic protein and vegetable stir-fry to fried rice or chowmein, we’ll stir-fry dishes that incorporate meat, veggies, noodles and/or rice. By having a few basic sauces in your back pocket, you’ll be able to add a wide range of dishes to your repertoire without relying on recipes. Once the prep is done, stir-fries are one of the fastest (and often healthiest) dishes to cook! As most of the prep can be done in advance, you'll achieve better-than-take-out food when your schedule is hectic.