Vegetarian Thai Street Food with Masterchef finalist Jackie Kearney – re-run
Tuesday 7th February 2012, Chorlton High School, 6 to 9pm
Due to popular demand and first session selling out very quickly, Jackie Kearney was back again, this time with Thai Street Food. In this session our Masterchef finalist showed how to make an authentic Thai soup, phat thai and crunchy vegetable fritters.
Click here to read the Cracking Cooks Blog from this session
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Vegetarian Punjabi Cooking with Harjinder
Saturday 4th February 2012, Chorlton High School, 11am to 2pm
A repeat session due to popular demand and all previous sessions selling out quickly. Cracking Cook Harjinder, who has been cooking Punjabi food for 40 years and has been on TV with the Hairy Bikers on their well known Mum Knows Best series, shared her secrets of this delicious cuisine with some Punjabi vegetarian delights plus a masterclass in puri making.
Click here to read the Cracking Cooks Blog from this session
Example of feedback from this session: Great session, very informative, lovely food, nice company … will be back for more! – Nick Peake Great teacher & others involved
– Bill DoddFriendly and fun – Jan Barrett
Harjinder very knowledgeable + shares that knowledge with great enthusiasm – Nick Peake
Excellent atmosphere – Ijeoma Okonkwo
Fab – loved every minute – Jayne Salt
Everything was interesting. From walking in through the door seeing all the food laid out – lovely. Most welcoming. Time wise – enough to cook and sit down together. Well organized. Thank you! (Recipecards! Spelling !!!) – Sally Evans
The whole experience was interesting– great food great fun – Jayne Salt
Explanation of spices was most useful. Techniques for mixing flour, frying. Interesting context of Punjabi cooking – Nick Peake
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Vegetarian Thai Street Food with Masterchef finalist Jackie Kearney
Tuesday 31st January 2012, Chorlton High School, 6 to 9pm.
This was a new session with our Masterchef finalist, Jackie Kearney, where she showed how to make an authentic thai soup, phat thai and crunchy vegetable fritters.
Click here to read the Cracking Cooks Blog from this session
Example of feedback from this session:Good bunch of people, friendly, relaxed – no pressure. No need to be a “good” cook – Sally Evans
Useful tips regarding ingredients in terms of how to prepare & source them – Kirsten Marlin
Good demonstration + fun informal style – Leo + Louise Goodwin
Really good info about balancing Thai flavors – Kate McWilliams
Really enjoyed this – Thank you! – Kate McWilliams
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Breadmaking for Beginners with Rob
Saturday 28th January 2012, Chorlton High School, 11am to 2pm.
And back again to inspire once more, due to popular demand – 100% organic bread. You’ll never want to buy another loaf again! Everyone made their your own loaf / batch / rolls of wholemeal bread under Rob’s expert tutoring, plus some delicious garlic naan.
Click here to read the Cracking Cooks Blog from this session
Example of feedback from this session:Having a go at making naan bread. I’d never thought it would taste as good as the Katmandu in Didsbury! – Phil Smith
Wonderful. Rob was inspiring + great to listen to. So passionate! – Jen Hersey
Great morning, lots of fun, nice group of people – Andrea Steer
Gives me confidence in making bread at home – Mary Chow Very informative, professional + catered for all levels. Right number of people – Andrea Steer
I thought it was brilliant! – Kelly Johnson
Everything was really useful – Kathy Dumbrill
Click here to see more pictures from this session on our Facebook page
Vegetarian Punjabi Cooking with Harjinder
Saturday 21st January 2012, Chorlton High School, 11am to 2pm.
A very popular re-run – Cracking Cook Harjinder, who has been cooking Punjabi food for 40 years and has been on TV with the Hairy Bikers on their well known Mum Knows Best series, shared her secrets of this delicious cuisine with some Punjabi vegetarian delights plus a masterclass in chappati making. Harjinder’s Website
Click here to read the Cracking Cooks Blog from this session
Example of feedback from this session:“Really enjoyable & friendly experience” – David Allison
“It was an absolute pleasure and very enjoyable session. Harjinder is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about her subject. Would definitely recommend the session” – Nigel Goulsbra
“Cooking with deep oil is something I’d been wary of trying. Now it feels OK and the results are fantastic! Different spice mixes from our home curries to try” – Val Shattleworth
“The tips from Harjinder were great, very useful! Also the ability to try your hand at everything we did, good practice!” – Michael Randle
“All of it was good! Spices and demonstrations very good” – Richard Tunnicliffe
“Excellent, really enjoyed – wonderful food” – Angela Bramwell
“Very much enjoyed the session, a great introduction to this type of cooking – Michael Randle
“Loved it all!” – Shaun Stirling
“Great day. Thank you” – Lynn Beggs
“I really appreciate that you were able to accommodate my dairy free request + that so much of the other foods eg. Pakora I could also eat” – Louise Maddison
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Discovering Fish with Rob
Saturday 14th January 2012, Chorlton High School, 11am – 2pm
Another re-run of this ever-popular, hands on filleting & cooking of seasonal fish.
Recipes included Goujons with a spicy dip and a new dish of turmeric seasoned pan fried fillets in Sezchuan sauce
Click here to read the Cracking Cooks Blog from this session
Example of feedback from this session:“It was absolutely brilliant Thank you Rob & Tracey!!!” – Bill Cooke
“I’ve had a good day. I feel I’ve learnt a great deal. Enjoyed the meal” – Ray Southern
“All the food was lovely…will be trying it at home” – Kate McWilliams
“A very good day” – Ian Gibb
“Really enjoyed the session…straight forward, pleasant atmosphere” – Mike Randall
“Information on organic sources was particularly useful and interesting . Cleaning and boning of fish. Rob is a good communicator and draws ones interest” – Ray Southern.
“Fish filleting was really informative. Great that you could have a go – all really hands on” – Kate McWilliams
“It was particularly interesting and useful filleting the fish!! Some useful tips about cooking times. The goujons – think I can get my children to eat coley! very cheap!” – Mike Randal
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Mid Winter Foray with Jesper
Saturday 14 January 2012, Fletcher Moss Park, Didsbury, 11am – 2pm.
For those hardy foragers prepared to brace the bitterness of a cold winter day. You’d be forgiven for expecting to find nothing on this forage but while it may not be the easiest hunting, there are some excellent, and easy-to-identify winter-time wild foods. This walk is a great excuse to get outdoors on a cold day..
Example of feedback from this session:“We really enjoyed this session – Jesper was incredibly friendly and informative, and his passion is really contagious – many thanks” – Cristina Delgado
“I’m really amazed at how much wild food we found under all the frost” – Hazel Kindley
“4 pages wouldn’t be enough space to detail what I’ve learned from these short hours. Main thing I’m taking away inspiring enthusiasm for something I’ve had a passion for for a very long time” – Amy Downing
“Very interesting and have learnt a lot. Would be interested in learning more about medicinal properties of plants now” – Francesca Smith
“Fantastic day, good taster “– Candale Shan
“Really enjoyable, would like to do more + will recommend to others!” – Candale Shan
“The day was really engaging and enjoyable. Thank you very much” – Andrew Kennedy
“Jesper is a brilliantly engaging teacher – very humble & approachable…with a great depth of knowledge, which is staggering. – learned so much + v. inspired…” – Amy Downing
“It was particularly useful and interesting identifying green salad leaves + finding wild leeks that we can plant ourselves” – Hazel Kindley
Late Season Foraging with Jesper
Saturday 26th November 2011, Fletcher Moss Park, Didsbury, 11am – 2pm.
Fletcher Moss Park is a great place to forage for wild foods all year round, and whilst November isn’t usually thought of as a time for rich pickings, we can expect to find a variety of decent late season mushrooms, sloes (great for sloe gin!) and a mixture of other goodies too. We will spend a good couple of hours foraging before wrapping up with some wild food cooking and sampling.
Please click here to watch the amazing FILM from this session
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Mezze with Deanna
Tuesday 22nd November 2011, Chorlton High School, 6pm to 9pm.
Back again – due to popular demand – Cracking cook Deanna Thomas from North Star Deli showed how to make a selection of small tasty dishes inspired by the Middle East – meat and veggie delights include baba ghanoush, stuffed vine leaves & middle-eastern spiced lamb koftas.
Great little dishes that will come in handy if you need to knock up some delicious starters, a tasty lunch, or a party buffet for Christmas.
Click here to read the Cracking Cooks Blog from this session
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Vegetarian Xmas Dinner with Kim
Saturday 19th November 2011, Chorlton High School, 11am to 2pm.
Another popular re-run with Kim from Islington Mill in learning how to rustle up a fabulous veggie alternative to the turkey roast. Recipes included a mushroom, cashew & tarragon wellington, with roasted parsnips coated in cumin & honey, steamed greens tossed in olive oil and lemon juice with red wine gravy.
Click here to read the Cracking Cooks Blog from this session
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Breadmaking for Beginners with Rob
Tuesday 15th November 2011, Chorlton High School, 6pm – 9pm.
Back again to inspire once more due to popular demand – 100% organic bread. You’ll never want to buy another loaf again! Each participant made their own loaf / batch / rolls of wholemeal bread under Rob’s expert tutoring, plus some delicious garlic naan.
Festive Bread-making (beginners) with Rob
Saturday 12th November 2011, Chorlton High, 11am to 2pm.
This special session included making your own batch of the basic bread recipe with all the usual invaluable help, hints & tips from Rob to make sure you ended up with a fabulous loaf and as a nod to the season, a Christmassy Bara Brith was also baked in this session, packed full of cinnamon, nutmeg, rum and candied peel….a merry Christmas indeed!
Click here to read the Cracking Cooks Blog from this session
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Asian Vegetarian Cuisine with Masterchef finalist Jackie Kearney
Tuesday 8th November 2011, Chorlton High School, 6pm – 9pm
Due to popular demand, Jackie returned with her original cooking session with us, Asian Vegetarian Cuisine.
Recipes included butter dal with spiced aubergine curry, served with a paratha stuffed with seasonal vegetables.
Click here to read the Cracking Cooks Blog from this session
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Vegetarian Punjabi Cooking with Harjinder
Saturday 5th November 2011, Chorlton High School, 11am – 2pm
A very popular re-run – Cracking Cook Harjinder, who has been cooking Punjabi food for 40 years and has been on TV with the Hairy Bikers on their well known Mum Knows Best series, shared her secrets of this delicious cuisine with some Punjabi vegetarian delights plus a masterclass in chappati making.
Click here to read the Cracking Cooks Blog from this session
Click here to see more pictures from this session on our Facebook page
Asian Vegetarian Cuisine with Masterchef finalist Jackie Kearney
Tuesday 27th September 2011, Chorlton High School, 6pm – 9pm.
Jackie Kearney is a top 4 finalist in BBC One’s MasterChef 2011. She is now developing her experience and reputation with pop-up dining events, as a private chef and working with a number of highly regarded chefs in the UK. Her food passion lies with vegetarian dining and Asian street food, inspired by her extensive travels across Asia with her husband and twin children. Jackie’s ambition is to raise the bar in vegetarian and street food dining. She aims to bring something to the table that is exciting, delicious and thought provoking.
Recipes included in this session were butter dal with spiced aubergine curry, served with a paratha stuffed with seasonal vegetables.
An Evening Mushroom Foray with Jesper Launder
Wednesday 21st September 2011, Fletcher Moss Park, Didsbury, 5.30pm – 8.30pm
This evening foray was an ideal opportunity to learn how to identify some of the tastiest early autumn mushrooms. Fletcher Moss Park in Didsbury has an interesting mix of habitats so even if we’re having an Indian summer, there are locations which will still come up trumps. The walk lasted a couple of hours and a chance was had to sample some of our best finds at the end.
Click here to read the Cracking Cooks Blog from this session
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Secrets of Punjabi Cooking – Meat & Fish – with Harjinder
Saturday 9th July 2011, Chorlton High School, 11am to 2pm
This was the second of two introductory sessions with new Cracking Cook Harjinder, who has been cooking Punjabi food for 40 years and has been on TV with the Hairy Bikers on their well known Mum Knows Best series. In this session, recipes included a delicious rustic chicken curry dish and a curried fish dish flavoured with lovage seeds and kala and garam masalas, together with authentic kedgeree made with mung beans, rice and butter. Harjinder’s Website
Click here to read the Cracking Cooks Blog on the session
Secrets of Punjabi Cooking – Vegetarian – with Harjinder
Saturday 2nd July 2011 Chorlton High School, 11am to 2pm.
In her first of two introductory sessions, new Cracking Cook Harjinder, who has been cooking Punjabi food for 40 years and has been on TV with the Hairy Bikers on their well known Mum Knows Best series, shared her secrets of this delicious cuisine with a vegetarian session. Recipes included methi pakoras and bhartha-smoked aubergine with roti. This was also a masterclass in roti making, which has a high level of importance in Punjabi cuisine.
Click here to read the Cracking Cooks Blog from this session
Bread for Beginners with Rob
Tuesday 14th June, Chorlton High School, 6pm to 9pm.
Another re-run of Rob’s popular session in making 100% organic bread. “I really enjoyed this event. It was well organised with an inspiring teacher with a passion for bread. I have learnt so much and would like to go on an intermediated bread course” – Beverley Jenkinson. “What a fantastic way to spend a few hours at the weekend. Rob was extremely informative and the co-ordinators always to hand to help – brilliant!” – Hawys Williams.
Click here to read the Cracking Cooks blog on this session
Mezze with Deanna
Sat 11th June 2011, Chorlton High School, 11am to 2pm.
This session was on learning how to make a selection of small tasty dishes inspired by the Middle East. Cracking cook Deanna Thomas from North Star Deli showed how to make delicious dips like tomato-hummus and baba-ghanoush as well as dolmades (stuffed vine leaves), spinakopita and spiced lamb koftas.
Click here to read the Cracking Cooks blog on this session
Bread for Beginners with Rob
Saturday 14th May 2011, Chorlton High School, 11am to 2pm.
Another re-run of Rob’s popular bread making for beginners course. “Really good hands on experience, enjoyable overall, fantastic value for money”. Nicola Thompson. “I’ve never cooked bread before and it will help me when I’m older”. Yasmin Suleman.
Click here to read the Cracking Cooks Blog from this session
Tarts and Quiches with Kim
Sat 7th May 2011, Chorlton High School, 11am to 2pm.
Using springs delicious array of new season vegetables, melt in the mouth tarts and quiches were created. Asparagus, pea & goats cheese & broadbean, mint & feta are just some of the delights made and tasted in this session with Kim.
Click here to read the Cracking Cooks Blog from this session
Food Foraging with Jesper
Saturday 7th May 2011, Chorlton Water Park, 1pm to 4pm.
Another chance was had to forage and cook up early spring food with Herbalist and Wild Food expert Jesper Launder down at Chorlton Water Park.
Sustainable Fish with Rob
Saturday 2nd April 2011, Chorlton High School, 11am to 2pm.
A re-run of this ever-popular, hands on filleting & cooking of seasonal fish with Rob.
Wild Food Foraging with Jesper
Saturday 26th March 2011, Chorlton Ees, 1pm to 4pm.
Wild Food expert Jesper Lauder, who can spot an edible fungus or plant from a great distance, led this inspiring workshop in ‘Wild Food Foraging’, which took place at Chorlton Ees.
Click here to read the Cracking Cooks blog from this session
……more past events to be added soon
