I have a plan for this summer. It developed when I noticed that Christine Ferber was giving a class at the French Pastry School in Chicago-something that she has done for the past few years. As I am an admirer- I thought I'd like to go, and write about it. However, it turns out that although many of the FPS's master classes are open to amateur enthusiasts, Ms. Ferber's is not one of them.
Apparently after last year's class, the amateurs complained that the class moved too quickly, while the pros thought it was too basic. So now, only pros are admitted to her class. But there is a related class, open to "cooking enthusiasts" as well as pros, which is an introduction to jams and jellies. While I was disappointed about C. F., I did note that the class was half as expensive, looks great, and involves boxing up your work product to take home!
The teacher looks interesting, and the classes are 3 days in July, from 4pm to 9pm. I decided to go learn some techniques for a favorite activity, and write about the experience- possibly maybe a free lance magazine article (?), but certainly for Toast.
So I signed up. Anyone else want to come ? It would surely be an interesting trip for a cook into preserving, and it would be fun to meet up with some of you in class. They expect you to bring and wear a chef's jacket, but they do furnish all the equipment and supplies for the class. I'm kind of jazzed about getting the jacket, dork that I am. Also they suggest a notebook and pen, and a (still) camera. Glad about the camera, I am. (Videos not permitted).
Here's where you can find out about it. You will see that I've borrowed their photo. Other interesting "continuing education" classes are listed on the site. The ones marked with little diamonds are open to chefs and amateurs alike. I figured that if I have enough energy, I'll do some other Chicago things during the day. Dunno though, keeping up with a five hour per day cooking class might leave me spending the rest of the time resting the proverbial dogs. Old lady that I've become. sigh.
Ideally, I will do some sightseeing/museum-ing/shopping, etc. in the morning, try someplace interesting for lunch as a main meal (cheaper than dinner), take a huge nap/rest/siesta at the hotel, grab a roll or something, and head for the 4:00 class. By 9:00, when it's over, I'll probably need to crash. I hope to take lots of notes and some photos, and tell you all about what I learn. If it's really hard work, I may ditch everything but the class, sleeping, and, of course, eating-which I seldom forget to do.
What, you might ask, am I doing planning another holiday less than a month before my English trip? Well, I've been thinking about this venture for some time, but also, mostly, I need to have something else of the same sort to look forward to when I come back from a trip. So that I can, you know, get myself to get back to work and what have you, without a lot of moaning. Seems to work.
So, what do you say? Anyone interested in a class in Chicago?
I will dream about doing this and read whatever you have to report here with great interest. It's a really great idea.
Posted by: MyKitchenInHalfCups | January 18, 2008 at 03:03 AM
I wonder if you will blow other amateur "cooking enthusiasts" out of the water in your jams and jellies class?
But I can't wait to hear your take on Chicago - I've been twice, recently, and not once have I REALLY had a culinary experience worth mentioning. But this must be because haven't had the time and energy on those trips to do my own research. I trust you to find the gems that must exist beyond the borders of the big, grey, empty corporate blocks I have found myself in . . .
Posted by: zp | January 18, 2008 at 06:18 AM
I´d love to go, it sounds like a lot of fun. Sadly, I´m too far away. It would be such a good excuse to buy a chef´s jacket (sigh)
Posted by: lobstersquad | January 18, 2008 at 07:10 AM
You inspired to me to go look at the website for our local cooking school and there I found a knife sharpening class, which is something I really, really need to learn how to do. Thanks!
Posted by: eg | January 18, 2008 at 08:26 AM
That should be some class. I have a work commitment so I'm unable to go which is too bad because I plan to do some jam making this summer and am in the midst of plowing through books on jam making. This class would be just the thing. I'm looking forward to hearing about it though.
I'm trying to lay my hands on Christine Ferber's Mes Confitures, which appears to be out of print, and so far I am unable to find a used copy for less than $80. My local library does not have a copy, so I am in the midst of ordering it through inter-library loan.
Posted by: Julie | January 18, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Tanna- maybe you should come too?
zp- I won't be blowing anyone out of the water. There will be pros in that class- I'm intimidated. Plus, I'll be lucky if I can make it through a 5 hour class on my feet- I'm used to spending my days in a comfy office chair!
lobstersquad- I'm trying to convince myself that the jacket is unimportant, but I've already been all over the web checking them out.
eg- That's what I really need. I've looked locally, and haven't found one yet.I am a total bust at knife sharpening- I need to see it done by someone who knows! Where do you live?- not in Pittsburgh, I'll wager!
Julie- Oh too bad, I wish you were coming. BTW, I sent you an email- I think I found you a (slightly) cheaper copy.
Posted by: Lindy | January 18, 2008 at 06:03 PM
5 hours on foot. Funny you should mention that - I just started a short term job that has me running and fetching for 6-8 hrs a day and I kind of love it, for variety's sake . . .
Posted by: zp | January 20, 2008 at 07:26 PM
No, I don't live in Pittsburgh. I live in Maryland, which really isn't all that far if you wanted to come down and take a class at L'Academie de Cuisine. I also looked at their knife skills classes, which I always swear I'm going to try, but those are all booked through April. Phooey.
Posted by: eg | January 21, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Wow. A 3-day preserving class, and several days to roam around in Chicago (just about my favorite city in this country for architecture), and hanging out with you? I'd love to do it. Sadly, the air fare between Seattle and Chicago that week is extraordinarily high.
If you ever sign up for one of June Taylor's classes in Berkeley, I'll be there.
Posted by: Kimberly | January 26, 2008 at 01:36 PM
Ah, Kimberley- Too bad I didn't know about June Taylor back when my daughter was living in Berkeley...and I used to go there regularly to visit her!
Could you possibly recommend some architectural points of interest for me to check out in Chicago- or a book about them? I figure I'll find a hotel in the Loop or thereabouts, since that's where the French Pastry School is. So I'll be near the Art Institute, too.
I went to college in Madison, and I've been to Chicago a fair number of times...including to the Chicago Opera, which was very cool. They won't have anything going on in July, though, I suppose- the season being over.
We have a few architectural sights to see around here, too, should you ever come this way- most notably FLW's Fallingwater, but there's other stuff as well.
Posted by: Lindy | January 26, 2008 at 03:50 PM
Oh man I'm late to this thread but totally want to do this class with you- preserving is tops on my "to do list" these days, and I LIVE in Chicago so it would be perfect.
Posted by: pseudostoops | February 28, 2008 at 12:36 PM