ottawa foodies

I'm looking to get a gift for someone and want advice on good cooking classes in Ottawa. I've found a bunch but want to know whether anyone has other recommendations on top of the following. If you have taken a class with any of the following, how did you like it?

- Urban Element
- Chinese Cooking Studio
- LCBO
- Loblaws
- City of Ottawa
- Algonquin College (I took a class with them once but can't seem to find a list of available classes anymore. Is the college still giving them?)

hands on class, or more of a demonstration class?

i have taken 4 classes at la bottega in the market and they have been so much fun. you learn 3 recipes (demonstrated by the chef). you then eat all the food and drink wine. it is a fun, social, intimate event.

link & blurb
www.labottega.ca
>
Once a month we offer an Italian cooking class with master chef Mario Novati. Each class, three different recipes are taught and then eaten. Wine is also included. This is a popular class and always sells out, so call early to reserve a spot. Cost of the class is $60.00 per person. For more information call the store at 613 789 7575.

BigMouth I have taken a number of hands-on cooking classes at the Urban Element and I enjoyed each and every one. The classes are three hours long so we spend the first two hours cooking the meal then the last hour eating it paired with wine. The owners favour local ingredients/establishments and they match the food mostly with Ontario wines.

I took a few courses at Loblaws a few years ago. They used to invite local chefs to conduct the class but they are demonstration classes, they used Loblaws ingredients and there is no wine pairings.

On a side note the Ottawa Carleton District School Board offers cooking classes as well. You can find them listed in their continuing education brochure. I'm not sure if they have gift certificates though.

hipfunkyfun I have seen those cooking classes advertised at La Bottega and it's nice getting feedback from someone that has attended them. Are the classes held at La Bottega? I don't recall seeing a kitchen where the classes would be held...

Big Mouth - I've enjoyed the events held by the LCBO... they are not hands-on but the demos are great. They have several locations where they hold them across Ottawa (East - West - Central).

DiVino Wine Studio - DiVino Wine Studio also has lots of activities (surprised no one had mentioned them yet). You'll find detailed info on their Website under the categories of Courses, Seminars and Special Events.

Urban Element - I haven't been there as of yet, but I have ONLY heard positive things about it, so am planning to go soon.

My absolute favourite though would have to be the Waring House Cookery School = www.waringhouse.com

The School is about 3 Hours from Ottawa in Picton, an easy day trip or a perfect weekend getaway to Prince Edward County (Spring thru Fall) is ideal.

"The Man" and I have been to two sessions, one themed as "French Bistro" and the other "Cooking with Maple". Both were excellent. The classes are listed as 3 Hours, but in actuality they stretch much longer when you take into account Cooking, Eating (Drinking local wine), and Socializing with the Chef and other participants.

I cannot say enough good things about these classes, they are very relaxed, and fun, and the Chefs are great. And good value when you take into account, the lesson, the food, the wine and oh ya the complimentary aprons. They have been written up in the Ottawa Citizen, several other publications and I have posted a Forum topic here on OF after my last visit see "Cooking Classes" = www.ottawafoodies.com

Thx for the suggestions so far!

To clarify, I am looking for a hands-on class. Thx!

Whereabouts are you located? I ask because there's a gem of a store on St.Joseph Blvd in Orleans called Cuisine and Passion. They offer hands on cooking classes, and I highly recommend them. The owners are really nice folks, and they have a top notch set up where the classes take place. I really can't say enough good things about them : ) I think this is a fabulous gift for someone and I would be thrilled if someone gave me a gift for Cuisine and Passion. I hope that helps!

Thx for the recommendation Amusebouche. Actually Cuisine and Passion is pretty close to where I live so good to now. I'll Google them.

Alas, the person receiving the gift prefers jelewry making lessons to cooking lessons. Should be fun though!

Urban Element is good because they can choose between hands-on and a demo class. I liked it, it was agreat experience, but it's between $95-$115 per person, which is out of my price range for the everyday.

I would *strongly* recommend Bottega; it's a good hands-on experience and it feels very much like a kitchen, rather than a classroom.

For the original question, yes, Algonquin still offers cooking classes. I've found them to be hit and miss throughout the years, and some have been cancelled because of lack of interest.

I did take one recently (Jamaican cooking) and it was fun.. but it's more of a social/food event than actually learning tons of technique or about the countries. I see that for the next semester, countries will include Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Pakistan, so i might check some of those out.

There are also credit courses, and i've done some of those.. those were fun and more serious if you want to learn about cooking. Still, the choices are not what they used to be (which is too bad).

extraweb.algonquincollege.com

This isn't exactly what you're looking for, but I've heard good things about the Food and Wine Raves that Perspectives puts on:

www.brookstreet.ca

I very much want to go to one of these. But $250-$350 per person means that it's not an everyday thing.

Momomoto - The Brookstreet Raves are on my radar as well... maybe I can convince Santa to bring me one for Christmas?

Nah... probably not, on second thought, I haven't been "that good" a girl this year.
;-)

I am checking out Divino Wine Studio this weekend for their 'French Paradox class' I will report back on how it goes. The menu sounds great though: Wild mushroom ragout over French baguette, classic lemon roast chicken with white wine herb sauce, roasted vegetables, beet salad with goat cheese and apple tarte tatin for dessert.

I would love to take a class as well and appreciated all the links to these places that offer them, thanks folks. The Brookstreet ones sound really fun but $250 & up sounds crazy expensive, I think. Def just for a special occasion!

I looked into DiVino and their classes sound really neat...and not too crazy expensive (at least compared to some of the others). I'd love to hear how the French Paradox class is, NoCheese, keep us posted :) It sounds like a great one.

I've also heard good things about Urban Element but couldn't seem to find much about their classes/workshops on their website...maybe I just missed it. Anyone know what their prices are like for their classes?

Roadtripfoodie I have taken a number of courses at the Urban Element and I obviously enjoy them since I keep going back year after year. Some of the classes are hands-on and others are demonstration. Prices are usually in the $100 range. You can find more information on their classes by clicking on the "view our calendar" link at the bottom of their website.

RTF: I will let you know how it goes.

The classes on the urban-element's website are in of a bit of a weird location. You have to go to their calendar page then you can click on the classes from there to get a full description. Their prices in general seem to range from $95/person to $115/person.

Here is the link to their calendar www.theurbanelement.ca

Thanks folks, I must have missed their calendar. Their classes do look interesting. There's a couple I'm keen on in March, they've got a pretty good variety of classes too which is great (and not insanely expensive either).

Pastalover, are you taking some of the 2-4 part series classes then or just signing up for random classes here and there? The series classes sound like fun! Good sign that you keep going back!!

I usually sign up for the package deals - I usually take 4 classes in the fall then 4 more during the winter months. I generally take the summer off (too hot to cook) although I attended their Gourmet magazine series of classes last summer and I really enjoyed the way they focussed on one decade of magazines in each class. I signed up for the two part beef course (part one was last week and part two is tomorrow) and I am learning alot about the different cuts of meat and how to prepare them. I am also looking forward to the pastry course I signed up for in April since this is a skill I would like to learn but need some serious help with. I tried making a quiche when I first moved out on my own and the crust was less than spectacular (cardboard anyone?). Anyway I hope I can learn with the guidance of the chef.

It's in the (very) west end but Brown's Independent Grocer in Stittsville has lots of interesting looking classes for all sorts of food-including children's classes over the March Break (I am only intersted-not affiliated.) I am looking into and will keep posting.

www.mariposa-duck.on.ca

DUCK ON THE MENU
Saturday March 6, 2010
Learn the tricks of Chef Nick on how to cook succulent and memorable duck meals:
duck breast, duck confit leg and pan-seared foie gras.

Starting at 9 h - $ 40/person + taxes includes workshop, recipes and a great lunch

Pre-registration required.
Contact: slavoie@mariposa-duck.on.ca or (613) 673-5881
-------

I know its not much notice and I am not sure if they still have space BUT its a great deal and well worth going out there. Oh and I suggest allowing more time and bringing boots to go for a walk around to check out the farm.

Been meaning to post a follow up on this thread for a while. So I ended up going and taking a cooking class at Divino about a month ago with my boyfriend and sister and had an absolutely fabulous time.

The class was about 11 people and there were 5 stations for the 5 different dishes we were preparing. This meant at some stations there were groups of 2 or 3s. As I found out sometimes the classes can be even smaller so even more time can be spent hands-on, overall it was very fun and educational. We got to take the menus home with us and see how each dish was made. The food was very good my favourite thing ended up being the salad that we started with which was a red beet, tomato, mixed greens, and toasted nut salad with a balsamic dijon dressing.

I would recommend it as a great class much cheaper then a lot of the place at about $79 pp.

Here are some photos of the food we made:

Hi everyone,

This thread came up in a Google search so that I'd respond.

I teach cooking classes for LCBO and also in-home private classes. If interested you can see more on my website.

www.chopchop.ca

I took an LCBO course from Derek Benitz on soups and braising. I liked his teaching style because it was more about technique, and I learned more than I would have if he had taught a specific recipe. It was not really a class, but a demonstration, and we all enjoyed tasting the foods that were prepared. I think some people may have been disappointed that they didn't go away with a recipe in hand, but I felt quite empowered by watching his process as he explained it, and it gave me the courage to try many things on my own at home without recipes. It was actually a very liberating experience and changed the way I cook. All for $45 and we got wines to accompany the meal as well.

I took a Gluten free cooking class, but was not as pleased because the class ended up being at the teachers house....that is ok I guess,but she did not have the ingredients out and I am not really comfortable in someones house kitchen looking or things.

So it seemed that the students that had been there before were the ones who knew where things were (more then me who had never been there anyways).
Overall the class I took was ok,but probably won;t take another class there.

I want to take another cooking class sometime,but no idea what really.

Well,would like to take chocolate and truffle making.
And maybe be better at making tempura items...

But I'm on a budget..so maybe I'll just browse a cookbook for now (or go through the ones I have here).

I already make up some of my own recipies...so no idea what I really want to learn next.

Just remembered I saw on Todric's restaurant website they offer a cooking class there...that sounds interesting.

todrics.com/cooking-class

www.octogoncatering.ca

I think I might consider the knife skills class at LCBO if they offer that again...could be useful for me I think!

or a class about seafood/fish preparation (but then again i have a Cordon Bleu technique book here.....)

Has anyone gone to the cooking demostration at Cuisine and passion? I bought the living social deal and have booked myself in for Mar 19 and found out it was for 2 people rather than 1 lol..

My sister is vegetarian and my mom probably is not that interested. So either need to find a friend at short notice or take my 16 year old niece with me to open her eyes about good food.

Hi FoodTravel,

Did you end up taking the course? If so, how was it?

www.ocdsb.ca

Has anyone ever taken any of the courses at Cordon Bleu here in town. I would like to take that Boulangerie course but the $800 kinda dampens my enthusiasm. Is it worth saving up for and making a priority. I am not a bad breadmaker but would love to learn from a professional.

www.lcbottawa.com

BigMouth,

Sorry, missed this before.

I did take that course at Cuisine and Passion 1-2 years ago and took my Mom there. I choose a Sat session on French Cooking and this included a demo where Chef Marc Miron did a 3 course menu (approximate since I did not remember 100%):
* warm mushroom salad
* stuffed chicken breast (with sundired tomatoes and something else?)
* Creme brulee

The warm mushroom starter was tasty but one I could have picked up from a recipe. The stuff chicken picked up a few tips and tricks including how to cut and stuff/envelope the chicken breast quickly and look nice.

The best part was making of creme brulee. Have done it once before but it was a bit of work and there are a few tips that can make things better. This is something which a demo by a professional could make life easier.

After the demo there was a sampling of the food (i.e. 3 course lunch) but they were likely cooked ahead and reheated. I think the food was not really cooked by the Chef nor his wife Chantal but mostly by the sous chefs which are their 2 sons and/or helper that assisted in the cooking class. Noted a couple of small things that was a little off i.e. chicken slightly overcooked but still tasty and enjoyable.

The demo area is decent and there are lots of seating in the large room / kitchen where we ate.

My Mom enjoyed herself although she found the french accent a little harder to follow in a couple of spots.

There are some hands on classes at Cuisine and Passion that cost slightly more. For the right class, I would take another class. But I think the class at the end of the class would benefit from a choice of a regular or adult beverage..

ddueck,

I did the demo session for Macaroons this Sat. at Le Cordon Bleu. Considered doing practical as well but when I was sure of my schedule, that part was full. It is not the 4 day course with practical but maybe it would give you some insight.

There were about 40-50 people in the demo class and not sure how many in the practical maybe 15-25 looking at name tags (which are only given to practical students). Some of the people in the demo part are regular students doing the grand Diploma wanting another run at their macaroon class held earlier in the week so not sure how many are paid attendees of only the demo part.

There were 2 french chefs / instructors. One did the macaroons and the other did 2 of the 3 fillings. Macaroons are supposedly somewhat hard to make well and takes a bit of practice so this class is very good since we got some very good tips and tricks.

When we sampled the finished products made in the class they also brought out some already made ones but after looking at them and tasting one, I was pretty sure it was made by some of the students earlier in the week. Later comment by one of the regular students attending the class confirmed my hunch. There was significant difference between those made by the chef/instructors and the ready made ones by students in terms of the texture, appearence, etc.

In the feedback form I mentioned 2 things:
1. There were several comments about taking things to a certain stage but it was hard to observe that in a demo setting when you are farther away. They would have done better if the helper put some of whatever into a little bowl or whatever and passed them around.
2. Would have been nice to be able to sign up for only 1 day of the multi-day course. 4 days in a row is a bit of commitment lol.

One thing I notice from the bios are both instructors only started with LCBO in 2012 although some have worked with other restaurants / cooking schools in France and elsewhere. I wonder if they have a lot of turnover of instructors or as newcomers they get the less desirable weekend classes ?

The demo class was $50 and the demo & practical was $179. $50 was a very good deal and they were handing out a $10 giftcard usable against another class, the bookstore or restaurant so really net cost was $40 for 2 hours of demo of something that requires a bit of experience to make well and hard to learn from a cookbook.

I had taken demo classes in LCB Paris many moons ago. The venue here in Ottawa was as good as the Paris one and the instruction was in English (with a French accent and occasional mix up of words) rather than with a translator sessions I attened before in Paris.

Le Bottega classes sound very good but all sold out for the 2 regular chefs.

Was looking at something to spend my $10 giftcard on and these 2 looks very interesting

1) Someone asked about a chocolate class before:

www.cordonbleu.edu

Demonstration Only Class: the Chef will showcase and demonstrate a variety of techniques used to create spectacular chocolate garnishes and decorations for your pastries and desserts.

Price: CAD 50.00 for 2 Hours of demo

2) In the Kitchen with Le Cordon Bleu

www.cordonbleu.edu

Celebrate our brand new cookbook release! "In the Kitchen with Le Cordon Bleu" presents 100 special recipes from the Chefs of Le Cordon Bleu. This book is the first in a series of cookbooks for people who want to treat their taste buds and make something extraordinary. From appetizers to desserts, the Chefs have chosen recipes that are inspiring, fresh, creative, and delicious. Recipes were chosen based on a special ingredient, a unique blend of flavors or a creative application of technique.
This special class features two of our distinguished Chef Contributors who will demonstrate their recipes from the cookbook while sharing their knowledge and expertise with you, and maybe a few trade secrets! After class, receive a free hot-off-the-press cookbook autographed by the Chefs!

$99 for 3 hours demo session but includes a new cookbook that I think is $30-40.

Went to le Cordon Bleu's website to find a course to spend my $10 certificate on and found some new 4 hr hands on workshops for a very reasonable $99 each. Unfortunately except for a few, they are on weekdsys but it is going in the right direction and part of my suggestion on the questionnaire after the macaroons class.

www.lcbottawa.com

4 hour hands on workshops for $99.
Apr 1 - Easy weekend cakes
Apr 2 - Savoury Pastries and Canapes - this one looked interesting but changed from the original weekend date of Apr 6
Apr 9 - Verrine Desserts - experience bold flavours in small doses
Apr 10 - Confiserie Classique
May 21 - Spicy pastry

This also looked interesting 4 hour sugar workshops for $129/session but I am in FL for a conference then.
1) May 14 - Sugar Work 1
Intensive workshop on sugar work - the delicate art of being creative with sugar ! Hands-on workshop
2) May 15, 2013 - Sugar Work 2
Pre-Requisite: Sugar Work 1

Foodtravel

Thanks for the response. It was very enlightening.

ddueck,

some of the other LCB campus have other interesting 1 day.

London
*1 day Taste of le Cordon Bleu cuisine workshop starts at 9am for the whole day
*1 day Taste of le Cordon Bleu patisserie workshop for the whole day

Paris
*1 day Fresh baked pastries 7 hr workshop for croissants, chocolate rolls, brioche
*1 day Making your own Bread workshop for White bread (baguette and small bread), Country style breads with mixed flour, Olive bread / fougasse, Rye bread, Kugelhof

There are a couple of interesting 2 day workshops too.

I asked about some of those workshops to the Ottawa coordinator and was told they don't have any plans yet for those workshops but it does not hurt for more people to ask...

2 more LCB Ottawa handson workshops showed up:

lecordonblue.ca

June 8 - Atelier Foie Gras 3 hrs $300 you take home 500g ready to eat foie gras
June 8 - French Cookies 4 hrs $99 macarons, madeleines and tuiles

Had anyone experience with the online cooking classes at Udemy?

My niece mentioned a cake decorating class / coupon she saw on living social but I was going to buy it for her but missed the coupon for $19. The full price is only $39 so thinking of buying it anyway and wonderinf if any OF have experience with Udemy?

www.udemy.com/cake-decorating/
I saw 5 mins of preview of the hat and purse overview and very beginning of the teddy bear one and it looks decent.

I also see a free Indian cooking class that looks interesting.
www.udemy.com

Even these classes only have a few hundred students and some of the classes have little or no students but then some of the so called instructor profiles are very weak.

For something a little different from all those wonderful ones listed above, I'm going to try a class at newly-opened Knifewear www.knifewear.com/index.asp in the Glebe. They have knife sharpening classes, knife skills classes, and a special event about once a month (I believe the next one is September 20, where you learn to cut and make on a theme, like soup, for example). Their website isn't quite up to date with the new Ottawa store (they have shops in Kelowna and Calgary), but if you're in the Glebe area, drop by the store--it was really fun! I have what I thought was a fairly decent knife, but I tried a more expensive (but not totally crazy) Japanese one, and I now know what I'm asking Santa for.

Todd_Doyle Thanks for the feedback. I like taking cooking classes and getting a discount on their knifewear is nice-;) The price listed on their website is $60/class. Is that comparable to what you paid?

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