Learn tricks of the trade with winter classes

There’s something about frosty air that brings out the baker and cook in many of us. The thought of warm comfort food or breaking into home-baked bread is more than enough inspiration at this time of the year! Not a natural? No worries. We’re lucky to have some experts in our city who are putting on winter classes. Here is a round-up of some food-oriented classes that are sure to fill you up with knowledge and yummy testers along the way.

Sandrine French Pastry & Chocolate

This is a slice of France right here in Kelowna. The elegant pastry and chocolate shop has just celebrated its 10th anniversary, and Pastry Chef/Owner Sandrine can be proud she’s been satisfying sweet teeth in this city for a decade. She offers an array of cooking and pastry classes, including upcoming workshops on Macarons (seriously, have you tried these?!) on November 27 and December 11, and Yule Logs on December 6. Check out the workshop schedule here or book your own private group.

(Photo courtesy of Sandrine French Pastry and Chocolates)

Chef Sandrine stands behind a showcase of her macarons - a treat you can learn to make, too!

Okanagan Grocery Artisan Breads

Just in time for the holiday season, Baker Monika Walker is putting on a Christmas Cookie Workshop at her bakeshop at 115-1979 Windsor Rd on November 29. The permanent aroma of baking bread and goodies, not to mention the tantalizing selection of fresh deliciousness that awaits here, is a big part of the bakery’s popularity with bread-lovers in this city. I had the pleasure of taking one of the bread making classes, and it was not only information-packed, but also a fun way to spend an afternoon. Tip for Christmas shoppers: Her bread making workshop on January 17 is sure to be a big hit with food-oriented people in your family. You’re welcome.

Mission Hill Family Estate

Think winter equals down-time at this winery? Wrong. There is quite a selection of cooking and baking classes being offered throughout the winter. On December 6, Chef Kira Desmond will be offering a Holiday Baking class that promises to demystify some classic and new age desserts that will leave you feeling like a rockstar host this holiday season. Also on my radar? Chef Chris Stewart will give a class on Italian cooking called “Pasta Perfection” on January 14. Check out the whole line up of classes here.

Poppadoms – Taste India!

Once again this winter, Chef/Owner Jas Dosanj brings to us her fantastic masterclasses in Indian cooking. Dividing up the classes into regional cooking showcases, it will be as much a journey in the kitchen as a journey to India. Three masterclasses are planned for the winter, the first a chance to taste and make the flavours of Kerala, then Punjab, and then Chennai. Last February when the judges for the Canadian Culinary Championships came to Kelowna, Poppadoms put on a masterclass for them which you can read about here. It was such a pleasure to see a group of highly respected food critics and writers being challenged outside of their comfort zone, learning to cook in a tradition that was so exotic and fresh for them.

Feeling hungry now? I’ll bet! But now you know where to go to equip yourself with cooking and baking knowledge along with a goodie or three, so that you can replicate that fresh from the baking pan taste any time in your own kitchen.

Bon appétit!

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.