LEARN TO COOK LIKE A PRO! PACKAGE:
3 classes, 2-3 hours each

These packages include a portfolio of valuable information, including a Northern California seasonal produce calendar and recipes you can refer to in the future.

CLASS 1
We will discuss the importance of knife skills (care, sharpening, chopping techniques) and teach you how to apply these methods at home.

We recommend starting your new culinary lifestyle with an 8" Wusthof Chef Knife that I am happy to bring to our first session together- it's your choice. You may think you know how to use a knife already, like one may think they know how to dance, but it is important to build the foundations of knife skills from the bottom up with proper technique. We will then apply your new skills to create a delicious dish and end with discussing local markets, seasonality, and organic ingredients in your area. This class will help you build important foundations in technique and knowledge even before you start cooking.

CLASS 2
We will discover the importance of mastering numerous cooking techniques in this class! Would you like your fish smoked, poached, sauteed, fried, baked, etc? Together we will experiment with a few of these techniques while applying these methods to create a fantastic seasonal entree for the evening. Additionally, you will learn the skills to build vinaigrettes and emulsions such as aioli (a sauce made of garlic, egg, lemon juice, and olive oil) to accompany your dish. We will discuss the importance of salting and the order of cooking ingredients throughout the cooking process. Finally, we will create a menu for two complete meals to master in the next class.

CLASS 3
This is the class for you to apply it all! Your new skills will enable you to prepare and execute two full meals of your choosing. If there are some dishes or tried and true recipes in your repertoire you've been wanting to re-create - we'll do it here. If you need some inspiration, we will push you into new territory and help expand your repertoire with new, delicious ideas. We will be there to coach you along, but for the most part, you are the head chef in your own kitchen!

MASTER THE BRAISE!
This class is all about the amazing braising techniques. Cook falling-off-the-bone proteins loaded with flavor with resulting sauces that melt in your mouth. Learn to perfect short ribs, duck legs, or even master short braising with vegetables and fish. Once you've conquered this method, cooking all together will become more insightful!

ENTREES
Use this class to help prepare a meal for someone special, and have me sneak out the back door before you serve it. Learn to compose a seasonal dish or a tried and true recipe in your book that you've wanted to re-create- we can do it all here. If you need some inspiration, we will push you into new territory and help expand your repertoire with new, delicious ideas utilizing organic foods from our local farms. We will be there to teach the techniques necessary for the particular dish and coach you along, but for the most part, you are the head chef in your own kitchen. You can extend this class in order to create two full entrees.

APPETIZERS, HORS D'UVRES, ANTIPASTI, TAPAS
Planning a party? This class is perfect for honing your skills in entertaining. Learn to make mouth-watering starter plates while exploring different cultures' ingredients. Let's pair these ethnic foods with wines from different regions. This class is fantastic and loads of fun to do in groups because the more people, the more tiny bites to eat!

CHEESE CLASS w/ Wine Option (with our Wine Expert)
While there are many ways to classify and categorize cheese, different cheeses are, at their core, intimately tied to their places of origin. One of the best ways to survey all of the different types of cheeses and learn about their similarities and differences is by looking to the great cheese making countries and regions of the world as a guidepost. These classes offer an opportunity to taste all the best in artisan cheese from fresh to aged, cow to sheep to goat, light and grassy to pungent and earthy, covering Cheeses of California foremost, France, Italy, and Cheeses of Spain.

FOOD/INGREDIENT OF THE MONTH
Northern California explodes with new flavors and super-star ingredients multiple times per season. Join us in these classes to celebrate the changing of the season and the food that accompanies it and utilizing it in 3-4 dishes.

SAUCES AND STOCKS CLASS
As any professional chef knows the key to an amazing sauce or dish is in the stock. You will learn how fast and easy it is to make pristine stocks and how to utilize them in almost any dish.

Sauces are the perfect finishers for any dish - vegetable or protein. Learn some of the classics in this class and how to create beautiful sauces from your homemade stocks.

HOLIDAY FOODS
Everyone needs a helping hand when it comes to entertaining family and loved ones during the holidays. You'll benefit from our tips and techniques for creating an unforgettable feast. Discover timeless recipes and a practical approach to cooking while you prepare and sample traditional holiday flavors and fresh contemporary twists on old favorites.

METHODS OF COOKING AND EMULSIFYING
We will discover the importance of mastering numerous cooking techniques in this class. Would you like your fish smoked, poached, sauteed, fried, baked, etc? Together we will experiment with a few of these techniques while applying these methods to create a fantastic seasonal entree for the evening. Additionally, you will learn the skills to create vinaigrettes and emulsions such as aioli (a sauce made of garlic, egg, lemon juice, and olive oil) to accompany your dish. We will discuss the importance of salting and the order of cooking ingredients throughout the cooking process as well as the proper cooking vessels for different tasks. This class will help you understand cooking methods and how they are applied, ultimately giving you the freedom to cook a number of foods without having to rely on recipes.

SPECIAL DIETS
Dietary restrictions and allergies have made it become almost impossible for some of us to dine out. Learn how to cook with your own diet from California Table's experienced chefs with numerous alternative foods to help make all meals enjoyable.

We offer Gluten-free Cooking, Vegan/Vegetarian Cooking, Dairy-free cooking.

CALIFORNIA TABLE'S BOOT CAMPS - may opt with wine
Take advantage of these 2-3 intense, but fun, sessions. 4 people minimum at our kitchen location.

INTRODUCTION TO WINE
There are many misconceptions and myths surrounding the subject of wine. Ultimately, though, it is nothing but a beverage enjoyed and celebrated around the world and has been for thousands of years. It only takes a handful of purchases from the corner liquor store to come to some conclusions about which wines you like and which are better left on the shelf.

The easy part is deciding if you like a wine or not. The difficult part is understanding why. What do you like about it, and how do you communicate your feelings? Is it light or full bodied? Tannic or smooth and supple? What are tannins anyway? Is it fruity, sweet, dry... ? Do fruity and sweet mean the same thing? You will conquer all of these techniques and overcome wine intimidation in our 2-hour class in either your own home or one of our locations.

Wine is most definitely a subject that the more you learn, the more you want to continue discovering. With this class, an entire new world will be yours for the taking.

CONSULTING FOR PARTY PLANNING CLASSES
From an intimate gathering of four, to a large soiree of 20 or more, this informative class will give you the instructions and skills you need to entertain with confidence, style, and ease. Like professional caterers and party planners, you will learn that the secret to avoiding stress lies in proper organization. Whether you're having an impromptu get-together after work or organizing an elegant, formal affair, you'll be prepared to tackle any type of event big or small.

This class includes:

• menu design
• how and where to shop
• decorating/arranging/place settings/equipment necessary

After the party is planned, hire us to help assist you in the cooking!

For our corporate clients, we offer 'Corporate Team Building' cooking classes and competitions to:

• improve communication and listening skills
• develop stress relief tools
• enhance a winning attitude
• learn how to achieve objectives
• enhance creativity and encourage innovation and constructive feedback
• build trust
• enhance rapport
• build relationships and encourage teamwork

Your group will be divided into teams in a heated and timed challenge. This interactive cooking event offers a fun spirited competition, complete with judging and an award ceremony. We strive to make your event fun, memorable and, most importantly, results oriented. The winning team wins a prize based on presentation, teamwork, and of course taste.

FARMERS MARKET TOUR
This tour begins by meeting your chef at the Saturday morning Ferry Building, Thursday's Marin Market, or the Tuesday's Berkeley Market. We will walk you through the Northern California's seasonal produce and help you select the freshest ingredients for the night's meal.

After this 1-hour tour, the culinary adventure continues in your own kitchen with your chef guiding you and your guests through the preparation of a three course seasonal feast.