The Cookbook Co Cooks

You need it? They’ll have it.
Imported specialty items, local goodies, or background knowledge on how to use it? It is all found in this shop

This is solely a review of their cooking class.
I took the Moroccan cooking class here a while back and I was not impressed. There were way too many people and it was difficult to get the attention of the instructor. Not that it actually mattered or anything. The recipes were way off. Even I know that poached chicken breast cannot possibly be used in anything Moroccan. Only the British Royal Family would eat something that bland and boring!
The saffron they used was as good as food coloring. Ironically, the guy was explaining how the saffron everybody else is buying is probably fake!
I would definitely recommend ATCO for their cooking classes.

I can’t believe I’ve walked past this place several times on my way to District without noticing it.
Whatever utensil, spread, chutney, jam, spice you need for you kitchen, the Cookbook will have it.
I attended their cooking class as part of a company get together. We definitely had fun and I picked up a couple tips. I don’t think I would do it again. But that’s just me!
Unique concept hosted by chefs who want to share their passion in the kitchen. Give it a try!

Books, kitchen gadgets, oils, vinegars, spices… you name it, Cookbook Co Cooks probably has it! It’s a well stocked plethora of anything your little kitchen may desire… and they stock Fentiman’s Dandelion & Burdock soda too! I’ve been on the hunt for that in Calgary for months.
As if that weren’t enough, they host cooking classes too! Couples cooking classes, Thai classics, Italian, French… they range in price from $ 75-​$ 150. I haven’t taken one yet, but I popped my head into their test kitchen while one was going on. It’s a nice big space and it looked like a lot of fun!

A small but well stocked epicurean food and book store. Some frozen items like croissants and duck fat, but mostly focused on dry goods such as exotic spices, multicoloured dry pastas and terrine containers. We go here because it is one of the only places where you can buy Diamond Kosher Salt in Calgary. Co-​located with Metrovino, so you can get both your ingredients and wine for a fancy night in in one stop. With regards to the cooking classes, be sure to ask if the class you’re interested in will be hands on, as this is not always the case.

If you’re looking for a cooking class in Calgary, this is the place to go! A little bit pricey for a one-​off class, but totally worth it.
We went to a Friday night couples class and loved it. The class ran a BIT long (supposed to be done at 9:00, instead we were out of there at 10:30), so I suggest two things:
1. Don’t make plans afterwards.
2. Make sure your babysitter is flexible.
Anyway, Pierre was our chef and was great. He’s really funny and really knows his stuff. The meal was a bit complicated and I can tell you we’ll never be cooking it on our own, but the few valuable tips he taught us were well worth the price of admission.

I went to the Cookbook Co. Cooks for a Girl’s Night Out cooking class with one of my girlfriends, and it was a high energy, fun evening that both of us enjoyed.
The Girl’s Night Out class is a hands-​on course, that has us preparing and consuming 4 different cocktails, and six appetizers, and then having a good ol’ fashioned pigout.
There were many wins, and a few losses with taking this course that I wanted to share.
Wins:
My girlfriend Mary doesn’t drink, so she got a $ 10 gift certificate for not drinking any booze
Losses:
I didn’t get her drinks.
Wins:
The large class size for a woman’s event was full of laughter, bantering, and of course, more hands to help chop and prepare our appetizers, so that got the cooking done faster, and left more time for eating.
Losses:
With a large class size, it was an ongoing challenge to get the attention of the instructor, or either of his two assistants. He was great and did his best, but it was frustrating at times.
Wins:
I’m not a huge lamb fan, but thanks to this class, I actually might prepare it. The burgundy soaked lamb chops with cilantro mint gremolata gave me shivers. The good ones… not the shudders.
Losses:
Wear long sleeves and shades when searing the lamb.
Would I take a class here again? Absolutely. It was an amazing experience. My own personal opinion, is that I would take the demonstration class next time. This is my personal preference, because I didn‘t realize with the hands on class that I would be preparing only one appetizers. The good news, we got ‘er done, and it was fun. The bad news, is I did not see how the other yummy appetizers were prepared. We did catch glimpses. :)

This is a delightful find tucked into the back of the Cookbook Co. Cooks store, it may look like a restaurant but it is fact a cooking school. The organiser there was so incredibly friendly, she greeted me at the door, offered to take my coat and offered me a coffee.
Tonight they were to have an Hors’D’ouerves class via a plasma screen and large mirror to see the class unfold. There were tables set to actually try it hands on themselves and then to feast later.
Many students were arriving, a lot of them obviously regulars. There is a very warm ambiance here and classes range from to $ 65 to $ 135 classes. There is a huge array of classes to choose from, Italian, French, Mongolian, Mexican and Vietnamese, there are even classes for kids, and couples and my favourite the «Culinary Boot Camp Just for Men».
The most appealing thing for me however is the guest teachers that are invited here. Expect the best from North America. How about Fresh’s Anna Olsen or Chef at Home’s Michael Smith. Just check website under cooking classes for more information.
So what are you waiting for Calgary, start cooking!

Want some inspiration in fine cooking? Needing to find those rare ingredients? Looking for fine European food products? Checkout The Cookbook. They’re not the cheapest but it’s a one stop shop for anything «fine.»