Cooking Classes
Sokol South Omaha will soon have a wide variety of cooking class offerings. Our Cooking Coordinator has laid out an exciting array of classes to suit any need in the kitchen. We’re in the early planning stages, but soon you’ll see information, dates, prices and registration information for a wide array of possible class options. Below is a listing and descriptions of possible class opportunities.
If you have a specific interest in any of the following culinary areas please notify the Hall Manager. The greater the interest, the sooner the class can be made available.
Basic Knife Skills
A class designed to help cooks and future chefs alike learn the basics of each knife, the best method of care for your kitchen knives, the various styles of knives and what makes on better than another. We will look at honing a knife, sharpening it and then there will be some hands on practice as well. This is a must have skill for anyone in our kitchens but also in kitchens anywhere. Students can practice cuts as well and the items they practice on can be boiled into a chicken soup or some other fast and affordable dish.
Kitchen Safety
Kitchen Safety is required course for those wishing to continue on in our advanced courses as they become available. This course will discuss proper kitchen safety with regards to fire, slips, falls, first aid and so on. We will also cover the basics of kitchen terminology including cuts, measurements, equipment names and purposes and so on. Students will leave this course with a solid understanding of how to be safe in a kitchen as well as having broadened their knowledge of cooking terminology and equipment.
Spice World
Spice World is a basic course on various spices from around the world. Students will have a chance to go over and taste many of the most popular spices in the world as well as some of those that are not as common or widely known. This will be a partial hands on course whereby students can sample the various spices on top of some neutral medium such as mashed potatoes or another item. Each student will be allowed the chance to explore flavors and learn the history of the spices they are sampling.
Cooking for Couples
Couples who cook together are often 10 times more likely to engage in more meaningful activities together also which means their chance of survival in our world of disposable relationships is greatly increased. This class is designed to help them learn to cook together in the kitchen while meeting the flavor preferences of each partner and creating a meal that is full of taste, fun and romance. A menu will be given that includes a main dish, a side or salad, a starch and a simple dessert. Each couple will bring the supplies needed to class with them where they will witness a demonstration on how to prepare their dishes immediately following which they will set about making the dishes they have just seen for themselves. Dinner follows.
Kinder Cooks
This will teach young children the thrill of cooking and tasting their own crazy food creations. Each class will have several base ingredients and a range of possibly toppings which kids will be encouraged to try out for themselves. These early years classes will require almost no cooking or knife skills and are meant merely to demonstrate the possibility of flavor and fun in the kitchen. Kids may get dirty and wound up on sugar. The squeamish should not apply. While in the class children will learn about measuring and some basic kitchen safety. An intermediate level course can also be taught for the next level which will focus on a combined version of the adult course covering terminology, specific measuring and some minor cooking skills using the microwave and similar items.
Junior Chefs
This class will be designed for the older students, teens and so forth, so that they can get a crash course in the kitchen. Terminology, basic knife skills, safety, measuring, preparation, sanitation and more will be covered in the course. Students will be allowed to prepare some items using their knife skills and such which will then be used in a meal that can be enjoyed at the end of the class. All teens must pass through the Junior Chefs program before taking more advanced courses or the other courses which will be offered as part of the Junior Chef series.
Sauces 101
We will cover the science of sauce as well as the history of the most common sauces from the past and those used today. Once the lecture portion is completed, students will see various sauces created for them which will then be tasted on a neutral base such as pasta or other medium. We will cover the basics of building a sauce, gravy and more. No more pasta sauces from a jar.
Stretching the Meal Dollar
Students will have the chance to learn about budgeting, coupons, and other methods of making the family meal dollar stretch a little farther. When to make homemade and when it is cheaper to go with pre-made. We will discuss comfort foods as well as taking one dish and turning into several entirely different meals. Many of the items being demonstrated will then be finished off and cooked for the students to sample at the end of class. Sample menus and a suggestions sheet will be given.
Around the World in 8 Cuisines
This can be the replacement of the Friday or Saturday evening on the town. Students will come to class one night per week for a total of 8 weeks where they will be treated to a full three course meal from a wide variety of worldly cuisines. We will explore foods from around the world such as Russia, Poland, Czech, Thailand, India and of course right here at home. Meals will range from unusual to the classic comfort foods of our past generations. Class will be largely instructional and will come with history on the region, the food being sampled, as well as the recipes for each dish being served.
Brunch for Beginners
Almost everyone who has ever enjoyed a true brunch meal will tell you it ranks among their most favorite and memorable meals of all time. The variety of food, the lightness of the dishes and the varied mix of flavors and ingredients often leave the guest wanting more and longing for similar experiences. Now they can have that right in their own home. Students will be given demonstrations of how to prepare some basic brunch dishes as well as how to offer some pre made items for presentation or how to combine them for an entirely new dish to be served to their guests or family. Recipes will be given and samples will be available.