Cooking Classes With "Shags"

We first communicate about what you would like to learn how to prepare and I determine whether that's something I can help you with.  I then price out the ingredients and add that to the quote, which is generally $25 per lesson, or less if there's a group lesson for a larger dish, such as paella or moussaka.  We determine a workable date, and then I shop for the ingredients.  While I can travel to you, I have a lot of different kitchen toys that make it easier if you come to my home for the lesson.  Of course, you take home what you cook for your own enjoyment and to share with family and friends.

I read a lot of cookbooks and recipes, learned techniques from my grandmother, mother, and daughter (who is a professional cook, all self-taught), and online videos and instructional pages.  After that, it's practice, practice, practice! 

I like to get $25 per lesson, plus the cost of the ingredients for the dish you will be learning to make.  For paella, it's generally a group lesson, so 10-20 can divide the cost between the students -- ingredients for that run around $150 total.

Someone asked me, "How do you make that?".  I invited them over and showed them. Then we ate it, sharing a bottle of wine, and enjoyed each other's company.  One of my purposes in life is to train and educate others.  That's how the world becomes a better place for all.  In addition to cooking lessons for dishes I know how to or know I can prepare, I train individuals in a specialty area of coaching: Money Coaching -- helping others regarding their beliefs and behaviors around money, a core survival tool.

I stick to working with adults because of challenges working in a kitchen with sharp instruments and special equipment which gets hot or may be harmful if not used properly.

My favorite event is teaching a group how to make paella, as it takes about 90 minutes from the time I get set up to when the dish is ready to enjoy.  The entire time, the class watches the dish come together, savoring the aromas from the different ingredients as they're added.  Several who've hosted a paella-cooking party have had me back for another group of their friends.

Reach out to the teacher and ask questions.  If you don't get the answers you like, move on!

What do I want to learn how to make?  Has the teacher made it before?  If not, are they willing to try making it first on their own to see if it's something they feel they can teach another to prepare?