I was afraid this would happen. When I wrote about local cooking classes earlier this month, I tried to find everything available. But I had a nagging feeling that there were more.
And there were. I’ve since discovered two more cooking class opportunities, and a third that’s just been announced.
I definitely should have known about the cooking classes at Caitie Girl’s restaurant, located at 400 E. Jefferson (the entrance is on Fourth Street). Caitie Girl’s fun and funky décor is the perfect setting for chef/owner Caitie Barker’s cooking, which relies as much as possible on local and seasonal ingredients. Barker teaches classes at the restaurant on Mondays. The schedule varies — sometimes they’re weekly, other times bi-weekly or monthly. The topics vary as well. Barker just taught a class on classic French sauces; on Feb. 15 she’ll be doing a romantic dinner-for-two class. A seafood class is also in the works.
Each session begins with Barker discussing the recipes with participants. Then the class divides into groups to prepare individual recipes. “It’s really a hands-on experience,” says Barker. After the food is prepared, it’s set out on a buffet, and students enjoy a full meal and discuss their experiences. The cost is $60 and includes wine. Visit www.caitiegirls.com or call 528-1294 for more information or to make reservations.
Do you want to learn to cook, but think it might be too hard – beyond your capabilities? Maybe you should take a cooking class from Susan Shaw, who is a culinary “Profile in Courage” if ever there was one.
In 2003, Shaw had a virulent sepsis infection after routine surgery. The doctors were able to save her life, but not all her toes and nine of her fingers, which had to be amputated.
Afterwards, Shaw began the adjustment to her new circumstances. Cooking — especially baking — had been a big part of her life. Now, she found, it might not have been as easy as before — but it wasn’t impossible, either. Cooking and baking became an essential component of her recovery — effectually her lifeline.
The next step was the biggest: deciding to turn her love of all things culinary into a profession. Shaw enrolled, and graduated from Lincoln Land’s Culinary Arts program, where she earned the respect and admiration of instructors and fellow students.
These days, Shaw is chef/owner of Central Illinois Event Catering. Operating out of her newly-certified commercial kitchen at her home in Elkhart, last summer she sold baked goods at the Illinois Products Farmers Market at the fairgrounds. She caters all kinds of events, from business lunches to weddings, and says she’s always happy to customize: “If somebody wants me to make their favorite food for their event — like maybe an old family recipe for spaghetti sauce, I’ll do it.”
And Shaw teaches cooking classes. This season’s schedule centers primarily around homey comfort foods: soups, a Super Bowl party menu, pasta, artisan bread making, chocolate, and making homemade soft cheeses. As well there’s a Girls’ Night Out class featuring “trendy foods and fancy cocktails.”
She is also committed to teaching young people to cook, and offers classes for both children (6-10) and teens (11-16) with topics ranging from Eat Dessert First to Bread Making Basics.
Shaw is delightfully outgoing and upbeat; her classes are sure to be fun as well as educational. Classes are $45 for kids, and range
