Cookery courses around the Rhine
Just as in your business career it does not matter how qualified you are, from time to time you need to be brought up-to-scratch - and cooking, whether you do it professionally or in the privacy of your own home, is no exception. If you are living in the Rhineland area you will be surprised just how many cookery Schools there are who give seminars or just good cookery classes.
I was invited to attend the class of three star chef, Dieter Müller’s school at his beautiful Schlösshotel Lerbach in Bergisch Gladbach. The one day course was conducted in a kitchen specially built for this purpose and included such state of the art equipment that I would have given my right arm just for the steam oven - if I did not need it for future sauce stirring or chastising my children. I joined seven other hobby cooks and it was a delightful way of spending a day, which started in the morning with a tour of the maestro’s herb garden and finished up later in the afternoon satisfied (and a little tipsy) with our efforts at preparing a five course lunch.
Dieter and his charming lady assistant – also a professional chef - took us through every step of the way; from savoury amuse bouch appetizers to the delicious strawberry, caramel and ice cream dessert. Each course we helped prepare was accompanied by an appropriate glass of wine and if I had had the chance I would have stayed and prepared dinner but I doubt that I could have handled another five glasses of wine. His school also prides itself in using only the best quality ingredients and promotes the use of food and drink that has been produced in a way that is organic, sustainable, environmentally sensitive or ethical, and is supportive of local businesses.
Among the popular courses to be found in and around Cologne, Bonn and Düsseldorf are the one and two day ones which teach the art of quick, effective entertaining. They are also intended to build your confidence and skills in the kitchen so that you really can begin to enjoy cooking for guests and for yourselves. Courses can include bread making, canapés, desserts, fish, seafood, game and vegetarian. There are courses inspired by a country’s cuisine such as Italian, French or Thai. Most are designed for the enthusiastic home-cook, but there are also courses for those with no cookery skills whatsoever.
A great Christmas present for anyone interested in improving or brushing-up their culinary expertise.
Cooking courses, Cologne/Bonn/Düsseldorf
Kochkurse und Kochkurs- Events Köln
Various courses on offer including: Thai, Molecular, vegetarian and Italian
Price: from €69-119
T: 0221-27162301
www.bar-kochstudio.de
Five Seasons Cologne
Vegetarian cook school
Prices: Two day "Basic Five Element" courses for €250
www.fiveseasonskoeln.de
Kölner Kochschule
Various course
Prices: €55-70
T. 0221 179 154 73
www.koelner-kochschule.de
Dieter Müller at Schloss Lerbach
New Saturday course with Dieter Müller himself
Price: €320 (this is Michelin star cooking)
www.schlosshotel-lerbach.com
Kochatelier Bonn
Various courses on offer
Prices: €50-99
www.kochatelier-bonn.de
Düsseldof Kochschule
Various courses on offer
Price: €55-70
T. 0211 737 79 13
www.duesseldorfer-kochschule.de
Room to Cook
Fab looking shop/cooking school with a wide selection of courses available
Price: €15-69
www.roomtocook.de
(You will have to ask if the courses are run in English or not - most will of course be in German).
