The Brooklyn Kitchen is a cooking school offering kitchen and cooking classes on a wide variety of subjects, skills, and cuisines. Classes are offered every day of the week, except for Mondays. Each class has a theme, which allows for an in-depth focus on one particular skill, region, or food. Examples include “Knife Skills,” “A Taste of Spain,” “Vegan Southeast,” “Southern Brunch,” French Pastry,” and “Meat 101”.
Upon arrival, you are taken into a large, open kitchen with all of the other students. Classes are capped, so everyone can participate comfortably and the instructor can provide individualized attention as necessary. The class starts with an ice breaker: each person states their name, a fun fact about themselves, and something they cook well. It’s light-heartened and provides easy talking points for conversation throughout the class.
Each person is provided their own cooking station around a larger table. The tables, each of which can accommodate 6-8 people, divide the class into groups. Each group makes the entire meal together and then eats the meal they made together at the end. All of the ingredients and supplies are provided and pre-organized at each table.
We joined the Meat 101 class, which, as the name implies, provides instruction on all things meat related. The class covers: how to season and marinate meat, various cooking techniques such as searing, braising, and pan-frying, which oils to use, and how to tell when the meat is finished cooking. We cooked chicken, steak, and pork. The exact menu was:
1. Braised Bone-In Chicken with Ras El Hanout and African Couscous
2. Pan Fried Pork Schnitzel with an Arugula and Pickled Red Onion Salad
3. Seared Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
The instructor guided the class step-by-step, both demonstrating at her own station and explaining the steps along with it. Though the instructor remained at the front of the class, an assistant went around the room making sure everyone knew what to do and how to do it, offering help and suggestions as needed. We worked in teams and each individual created one part of the dish – chopping vegetables, seasoning the meat, mincing herbs, preparing the cookware, and actually cooking the meats. It was a very collaborative and collegial experience.
First, we prepared the chicken dish. We were given several different cuts of bone-in chicken that had been pre-marinated. As a team, we prepared the ras el hanout sauce and cooked the chicken on an induction burners. The chicken was then finished off in the oven.
Next, we seasoned the flank steak and created the accompanying chimichurri sauce from scratch. We seared the steak on the stove at the very end of class, just before it was time to eat.
Lastly, we each tenderized our own pork chop, breaded it in batter, and pan-fried it.
The ras el hanout chicken came with an African couscous. The instructor prepared this and the arugula and pickled red onion salad in advance, in the interest of time.
At the end we all sat together and dined on our creations while chatting about the class and our own lives. We washed the food down with the beer and water that were provided.
The class itself is slotted as two hours, but the eating happens after that, so make sure you’ve allowed an extra 30 minutes to stay and eat. Otherwise, you won’t be able to try your creations as you cannot take any food away.
The class is a really fun way not only to pass a few hours, but also to learn a new useful skill that can be built upon and implemented for years to come. And it’s a great chance to meet new people if you come alone or in a small group. On the other hand, if you join as a larger group, then it’s a new, unique way to hang out with people you already know.
The Brooklyn Kitchen posts the menus and skills covered for each class online, so you can choose whatever you’re interested in. Whether you’re a complete novice or have a bit of comfort in the kitchen already, there will definitely be a class for you. And no matter what your interest, there is likely to be a class up your alley.
The Brooklyn Kitchen is absolutely worth checking out. Who wouldn’t want to combine food, fun, and friends, while picking up a new skill along the way? You are sure to have a great time!
