EQ Cooking School at the Party Source

My goal this summer is to learn to be a better cook or at least to throw some dishes besides spaghetti and stirfry into the repertoire. I decided to try an EQ cooking class with Chef Kim Baretta called «Summer Suppers with Style.» I’m glad I did. The setup is really nice. You are seated with a glass of wine and a full loaf of bread.
The kitchen looks just like a kitchen on a cooking show. There are videocameras set up so you can see what is happening if the chef is out of your line of vision. I had 3 glasses of wine, ate an entire delicious meal and learned to cook 8 dishes for $ 35. I’d definitely recommend this for a date night or girls night. I think I’d even have fun alone. It’s really interesting to hear the chef tell stories.
We made Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette, Sun Dried Tomatoes and Pine Nuts; Corn off the Cob Salad with Fresh Basil; Honeydew Melon Gazpacho with Spicy Shrimp; Seared Tuna with Olive-​Tapenade and Arugula; Chicken Stuffed with Spinach, Ricotta, Cheddar and Parmesan; Gratin of Zucchini and Tomato and Raspberry Cake with Ruby Port and Crème Fraiche. Everything was delicious. Everything was fairly easy to make too with the right instruction. Since I’ve been home, I’ve replicated more than half the dishes and they came out delicious. And my culinary skills were limited to spaghetti! I will be going again.

The EQ at the Party Source has a variety of great programs and they are reasonably priced. They are not equipped with hands on training, but do have a variety of programs. They have some of the best chefs in the city to do demos where you can taste all the food. Last time I was there was for a pairing of duck dishes with beer. David Cook of Daveeds was the Chef and Danny Gold who is now in charge of Craft Beef for the party source paired each dish with a Goose beer (they title of the program for duck duck goose — the duck good and Goose beer). Danny is excellent with pairing wine or beer with dishes and he can explain it in a way anyone can understand and appreciate.. It was a wonderful dinner. At the EQ also, they have a variety of tastings (wine, beer, whiskey). It is in a fun relaxed setting. If you are looking for something different to do for a night and like trying new foods or drinks, it is nice alternative to a bar or restaurant.

Each month, the cooking school at The Party Source offers tons of demonstration classes, wine tastings, hands-​on cooking classes and the lunchtime EQuickie. My son & I recently went attended an Casual Summer Supper EQuickie session from noon-​1 with caterer & instructor Jean Strasser.
The entire event was great and only cost $ 10 each. We learned technique tips, received recipes and tasted grilled fish kebobs, a cucumber mint salsa, zucchini pasta and a fruit pastry! Plus a glass of wine! The EQ staff is very friendly and efficient. Jean was entertaining as well as knowledgeable.
The facility itself is great, too. If you can’t see exactly what’s going on in the cooking process, there are several tvs mounted above. Get there early enough and you can sit at the counter directly across from the chef.
If you want to attend one of the demonstration classes, you can use the buy one get one free coupon in the EQ brochure available at the store. You do have to register in advance.