You've just got to go

Story by Rita Feutl
Photography by Martin Lipman

A holiday in the kitchen? Before you start shaking your head—take another look at the latest thing in mini-vacations.

As the chef demonstrates proper pasta preparation, he discusses the merits of various cheese sauces. His students take notes, sip their wine and eagerly anticipate tasting the results.

A cooking course in Tuscany? A Cordon Bleu seminar in Paris? How about a friendly three-hour class that includes easy-to-find Alberta products at Sorrentino’s West—a restaurant in Edmonton’s west end?

More and more people are taking advantage of the great cooking courses around the province to book their own gourmet getaways, without the hassle of passports or border crossings. Whether it’s a Tuesday evening in Canmore learning how to make a Creole-mustard rack of lamb, or a weekend in Jasper taking in the finer points of holiday entertaining, Alberta offers a host of opportunities to grab some friends and spend time with them making delicious dishes.

GETAWAYS FOR EVERY BUDGET

One of the grandest getaways is Jasper Park Lodge’s annual Christmas in November. Packages for the three-day events start at around $900, based on double occupancy. Participants often return again and again, bringing mothers, daughters and friends to an event crammed with decorating tips, wine tastings and lots of different holiday cooking classes.

Other options around the province may suit more modest budgets. In Banff, Hostelling International offers three levels of Chix in Stix retreats every spring and fall. While some are based on heavy-duty outdoor activities, the Pampered Chix in Stix event includes a yoga class, massage and cooking classes. The two-night retreat in November is about $300.

CULINARY ADVENTURE ACROSS ALBERTA

Naturally, not all the getaways involve sleepovers. At Canmore’s French Quarter Café, chef owner Mike Raso offers three-hour classes for $25 a person every second Tuesday evening. While the style is Cajun/Creole, the beef and chicken are Alberta bred. Though most of Raso’s students are locals or Calgarians, he’s had people up from New Orleans for his classes. “They were really impressed with it,” he says.

In Red Deer, Ron Lines will set your culinary imagination on fire—literally—with his Burning Gourmet workshop through Red Deer College Extension Services. Steak Diane, Chicken Glenlivet and lamb chops with flaming apricot relish are all on this unique flambe menu for this one-evening.

Once the kitchen facilities at Lethbridge’s Canadian Yoga Institute are finished this winter, area residents can learn how to make quick vegetarian meals. “There will be a gorgeous wing in the kitchen for demonstration and participation and then good eating at the end,” says Gillian Goerz, the institute’s assistant to the director.

While Edmonton and Calgary’s institutes of technology (NAIT and SAIT) both offer serious courses for chefs in training, there are a number of options for more relaxed ways of learning. At Calgary’s Cookbook Co. Cooks, celebrity chefs teach evening demonstration and participation sessions on everything from game to pasta. Couples, friends and regulars eagerly pay the $45 – $60 fee.

In the capital, the Edmonton Public Schools Metro Continuing Education offers many three-hour gourmet getaways, including those at Sorrentino’s and the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald.

READY TO STIR?

If you’re interested in culinary adventures in your area, check out local libraries, cooking stores and continuing education branches of educational institutions for information on classes. And don’t just book them for yourself. A delicious evening or weekend, fuelled by fun, friendly faces, and a little vino, makes a great gift for anyone special or the perfect setting for an office party to remember!