Portrait on a Plate cooking class
A group of bloggers from the Atlanta Food Bloggers’ Society was invited to try out the foodie experience offered by Portrait on a Plate. I was one of the lucky bloggers to attend a hands-on cooking class where we learned how to prepare: Coconut Crusted Chatni Chicken, Dhal Spinach with Peppers, and Mango Coconut Chutney.
We attended a Cook & Sip class, which is a private class complete with hors d oeuvres, flavored drinks, and the ability to bring in alcohol. The menu can be customized to meet dietary needs and food preferences, which makes this service a plus for those with food allergies/intolerance.
After we met our chefs, we gathered around the kitchen table at our own individual stations to begin slicing, chopping, and preparing the meal. Throughout the class we learned how to properly hold a knife (was totally doing it wrong), the right way to cut onion (no tears), how to cut a mango (didn’t know it has a seed in the middle), an easy way to chop peppers, and how to pull tamarind paste away from the seed.
The class focused on the importance of cooking from scratch without relying on processed ingredients and how to incorporate ingredients that might normally be thrown away (pepper tops/bottoms, etc.) in creative ways. We were involved in every step of the process and enjoyed rocking out to Michael Jackson and Jackson 5 songs while cooking. We seared chicken, simmered chutney, and chopped veggies.
The best part about the class was sitting down to eat what we had made with a sense of accomplishment. Our plates were loaded with vibrant colors from the chutney and the spinach salad. The chicken was seared to perfection and paired nicely with the crunch from the salad and the sweetness of the chutney.
I really liked that their class offers participants the ability to be as involved or uninvolved with the process as wanted. There is no need to be intimidated because it is a very laid back setting and the chefs are there to assist in any way they can. Of course, you are on your feet for the whole class, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes to save your back and to keep your feet safe from falling or spilled objects. We left with full bellies, new cooking techniques, all of the recipes, and leftovers.
Portrait on a Plate offers kids parties/classes, bachelorette parties, and you can even hire their chefs for event catering. Think of them the next time you want to learn a new technique, or how to cook a new cuisine.
Disclosure: The class was provided as a result of a media invitation. I received no compensation for this review. In no way did this influence my opinions and views, which are derived from my experience at Portrait on a Plate.
