Given my lack of cooking ability and my uncanny knack to set the smoke alarm off every time I do toast, I like to grasp any chance to improve my (limited) skills.
That’s why I was delighted to be invited to a special event to celebrate the launch of the Waitrose Cookery School on Finchley Road.
The theme of the evening was macaroons and cocktails, which seemed to be a strange combination, but we soon found out that the chefs wanted to show off the kitchen and the bar and as we only had a couple of hours we couldn't make anything too complicated.
The school is very impressive. Clean and crisp decor, bookcases filled with every imaginable cooking book and a pristine kitchen fitted with top of the range gadgets and gizmo's. If I was a serious cook then I think I would've been in kitchen heaven!
Three bookcases packed with every cookbook imaginable...
Gary from the Roast Potato blog got the short straw and was my cooking partner for the night. We were given a demonstration of how to make the perfect macaroon by James, the Head Chef of Pastry and then it was over to us...
Head Chef Pastry, James, demonstrating how it should be done...
I let Gary take the lead with the egg cracking and mixing, whilst I expertly managed to bring the sugar and water up to the required 114.
Expert probing
Our mix didn't quite have the professional looking sheen (ours was a bit grainy) of some of the other bloggers, but it wasn't a bad effort. It was then on to the fun bit of piping the macaroons on to the baking tray.
A model of consistency...
My first few efforts seemed to resemble various models of dog defecation, but after a quick lesson from James and his team I managed to get the hang of it and produced some decent looking macaroons.
Making cocktails
Whilst the macaroons were in the oven we went over to the bar and were given a cocktail demo by, Wilson (one of the other chefs) and were offered some delicious egg nog macaroons that the team had made earlier. We made a lovely, refreshing, bitter orange drink with Grand Marnier, orange juice and maple syrup. Just the tonic after slogging over a hot stove in the kitchen!
Mulled Wine and Egg Nog macaroons
As we were limited for time the school had already prepared the fillings for us and so we were left to pipe the spiced mandarin into our creations and were also given the ingredients to construct a mulled wine macaroon, which was probably my favourite on the night.
The macaroons for home
Once the macaroons were made and we'd sampled a few over an espresso martini it was time to box them up and take them home.
Overall it was a really fun night and I was impressed not only with the Chef's knowledge and skills, but also their patience, warm welcome and friendly attitude. We were made to feel really welcome and no question was too much trouble. Best of all the washing up was done for us!
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The Waitrose Cookery School opens this week and offers 25 different food and drink courses. There is something for everyone with classes ranging from 'Comfort Food' to 'The Art of Michelin Star.
The courses run Monday to Friday and are either half or full days. The full day course is £175 including all ingredients, wine and equipment. The half day course is £105 for the same.
If you're struggling for Christmas present ideas for a food-loving friend or partner then you could do a lot worse than one of these courses (hint, hint lovely friends and family reading....)
To find out call 020 7372 6108 or visit the website.