December 5th - Fall & Holiday Cooking Classes @ PCI December 5, 2009

Alternative International Holiday Dishes with Chef Randy Torres
10:00am-2:30pm - $150 per person
This class will definitely spice up your holiday meals. Step outside the “classics” and have fun with introducing some international flare to your meal with dishes influenced by traditional cuisine from South America, Europe, the British Isles and more. Imagine adding wonderful tamales to the menu or serving a restaurant quality prime-rib with horseradish and au jus instead of a dried out spiral cut ham. Chef Randy is a full-time instructor at PCI as well as the Department Chair of our Culinary Arts program. He has taught at other culinary schools as well as competed in many culinary competitions, and taken gold in many events around the world, including at the 2008 World Culinary Olympics.

Fantastic Fish Techniques with Chef Peter
10:00am-2:30 - $150 per person
Methods of fish cookery is a class that incorporates the steaming, frying, grilling, sautéing and even a little blackening to kick things up a notch! We will touch on Manhattan Clam Chowder, Steamed Mussels Marniere, Dungeness Crab Cakes, Prosciutto wrapped Halibut, a Salt Crusted Sea Bass and Grilled Swordfish in a Porcini Crust and mushroom mélange. The main focus being on technique and a few simple traditional and eclectic sauces that can garnish or accompany the items that are covered in this class. You will learn the tricks to spectacular fish entrees and appetizers in our hands-on program. Chef Peter, a full time instructor at PCI, has worked and taught in the culinary industry for over 25 years; he has won many awards and accolades in hot food competitions as well as ice carving.

Children’s Favorite Desserts – FOR KIDS with Chef Michelle Encarnacion
10:00am-3:00pm - $100 per child
From devilish chocolate brownies, delicate rice-crispy treats, gooey cinnamon rolls, to scrumptious monkey bread and more, your child will learn easy step-by-step recipes that they can make again and again for you at home. They will leave feeling a huge sense of accomplishment and be comfortable in any kitchen, all with an emphasis on proper safety and sanitation. Chef Michelle Encarnacion is a professional teacher who also graduated from PCI’s professional Baking and Pastry Arts program. Bringing her two passions together makes her a great instructor for these and other types of classes. We will also provide a healthy lunch for the kids of fresh sandwiches, vegetables and fruit.

Holiday Gift Cookies with Chef Stephany Buswell, CMB
10:00am-2:30pm - $125 per person
You’ll learn to make several easy cookies and candies to make for Christmas gifts. We will provide the packaging and show you how easy and inexpensive it is to make wonderful yummy presents that your friends will be thrilled to receive. We will make some of the classics, as well as Mexican tea cakes, savory cheese cookies, candied orange peels dipped in chocolate, almond Roca candy and more. Chef Stephany is a Certified Master Baker and has worked in the baking industry for over 30 years. During this time she perfected the art of cake decorating, pastry baking, wedding cakes, and bread baking, and is currently a fulltime instructor at PCI. Bring a snack or bag lunch to balance out all of the good sweets you will be enjoying in class.

For class availability and to enroll call (408) 370-9190

Official Website: http://www.pcichef.com/hobbyschedule.html