COOKING FRENCH WITH THE BOSS........A Night at the Viking School

Who knew when I got that e-mail about

a French cooking class at the

Viking School in Atlanta

that the Boss would so readily agree to go along

with me...
I told him it would be a great bonding experience to
celebrate our 43rd. Anniversary....

For a mere $99. per person they offered up a 3 hour

Hands on Cooking Class that included making

Beef Wellington...which I have always wanted to

Know how to make...and they had the Boss at

"French Onion Soup"....

Along with the class and the meal they were also 

throwing in two tickets to the art exhibit at

the High Museum titled

"The Art of the Louvre's Tuileries Garden"
How could you go wrong....

Of course this is when Daughter thought it was
either going to be tons of fun.....Or
a disaster....especially after hearing her father ask....
"Can I wear a beret and bring my knives"....
"No and No....."

Here is our Chef in Charge....
"Chef Chip"
Let me say that this guy was great....
I was recently at another cooking class at another
cookware shop in town and to say it was unprofessional
is an understatement....
The "Chef" a middle aged women who touted herself
as a personal chef........was
frazzled through the entire class...
She had to read every recipe and appeared
confused at times....Plus a class size of 20
and two islands to work on did not make for a
smooth and informative class...
You never want to leave a cooking class and say
"Hey....I could give cooking classes in my Kitchen"

The Viking Store kitchens are top notch...
Their shop has every gadget and doo-dad that you
could possibly want...
Along with those fabulous appliances....
They have added a huge showroom of sorts where they
have on display every possible Viking Appliance they Make...
Simply Gorgeous....a Cook's Dream!!
Second only to Watching Tom Selleck on the
Big Screen :)
Put Tom in there with an apron on and I would never
Leave....

Okay now take a good look because this is the
One and Only time you will witness the
Boss
with an apron on....
and a knife in his hand....
He still has no idea when I bring him a meal where
it actually comes from...

Chef Chip in action.....

The menu was French so of course
There was French Onion Soup...
here we were making the "toasts" to put on top

onions caramelizing for the soup....

The school has one large island.....
A perfect size for 12 people to work around.
 With a class that size everyone got to
participate......Chip knew every step of the recipes
by heart....a True professional....
a Joy to listen to....and learn from....

Here is Rita on the right
Chip's sous chef....
and right hand lady....

This is what I came to learn....
We were about to make
Beef Wellington....

dicing up mushrooms for the
Wellington....

This cute little girl was there with her Mom...
I love when I see young girls
anxious to learn how to cook...
I have been in the kitchen since I was in my teens...

My Beef Wellington getting ready for
An Egg Wash.....
The mushroom concoction is under the
Puff Pastry....
The Beef tenderloin was seared on both sides
then put in the fridge to cool before
wrapping it in the pastry...
It will continue to cook in the oven
for about 20 minutes.... 

And it comes out looking like this....
 A perfectly cooked
Medium Rare on the inside....

This was Elizabeth and Joe....
such a cute couple....

Spinach Souffle.....

Yes....Souffles fall shortly after
taking them from the oven...
But delicious none the less!!

A fitting Finale' to a wonderful dinner....
A white Chocolate Mouse....

The Boss agreed that it was a great class...
Even though he sat down about 3/4's through the
evening....I think the onions made him woozy....
 I might actually get him to come back
for another class....

So if your in Atlanta and your looking for a fun
evening or daytime cooking class to go to with the
spouse or the Girls....This is the Place to go...
I highly recommend a class with Chip
It's like sneaking into an episode on the
Food Network...
A Chef who teaches....needs confidence in what they
do....Chip certainly fits that bill...

Viking offers a wide variety of great classes....
Including a Pasta Workshop and
an all day bread baking class...
They have a full calendar of classes on their
website....prices vary according to class and
time of day.....
www.vikingtogo.com

You can also go here.....
LUCY AND ETHEL LEARN THE ART OF THE WHOOPIE PIE

To read about the last time I was at Viking with
fellow blogger and troublemaker....Joyce....
I'm surprised they let me come back!!