Welcome to our guest blogger Graeme Reinhart who has been taking classes in the Marcel’s kitchen since we opened and is currently enjoying his time in our classes for 12 – 16 year olds. Read on for more about Graeme and his love of cooking. Thanks for sharing, Graeme!
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How long have you been taking classes at Marcels? I think I’ve been taking these classes for close to 6 years. I know I was really excited when I got to start going to the Mid-Kid classes. Now I’m in the Big Kid classes.
What do you enjoy most about the cooking classes?
I enjoy learning how to cook and learning new techniques, such as when we learned different knife skills. The first trick I remember Chef Jamie teaching us was to always crack your eggs into separate bowls in case one egg wasn’t good. I also remember the tip about washing your hands with a metal spoon to get rid of the garlic smell. And of course, I like getting the discount to use at the end of class so I can get some new cooking gadgets.
I enjoy learning how to cook and learning new techniques, such as when we learned different knife skills. The first trick I remember Chef Jamie teaching us was to always crack your eggs into separate bowls in case one egg wasn’t good. I also remember the tip about washing your hands with a metal spoon to get rid of the garlic smell. And of course, I like getting the discount to use at the end of class so I can get some new cooking gadgets.
What are some key things you have learned from these classes?
The tips and tricks; why certain things in cooking are the way they are, and what gives certain foods their taste.
The tips and tricks; why certain things in cooking are the way they are, and what gives certain foods their taste.
How would you like to use these skills in the future?
I want to continue to learn more advanced skills because it seems like we are refining our skills in these classes. I like to know the correct way of doing things because the correct way is usually easier and if it is the correct way, it usually tastes better! Chef Robin told us to always cut peppers with the skin down, that way it’s easier to cut them. She also taught us the right way to cut an onion, and I’m still trying to remind my mom not to cut the root!
I want to continue to learn more advanced skills because it seems like we are refining our skills in these classes. I like to know the correct way of doing things because the correct way is usually easier and if it is the correct way, it usually tastes better! Chef Robin told us to always cut peppers with the skin down, that way it’s easier to cut them. She also taught us the right way to cut an onion, and I’m still trying to remind my mom not to cut the root!
Can you tell of a time you made the recipes outside the cooking class?I’ve made the jalapeño coleslaw chicken sandwiches for out of state friends. I make the egg drop soup every so often as an after school snack. I also liked recreating the lemon chicken, lasagna and a lot of the desserts too. I still need to make the clam chowder that was so good.
Do you have a favorite kind of food you like to eat?
I’m pretty adventurous. I love trying new things so I wouldn’t say I have a favorite.
I’m pretty adventurous. I love trying new things so I wouldn’t say I have a favorite.
Any thoughts of becoming a chef?
No, not at all. I think it’d be difficult job, but I do want to learn how to cook better.
No, not at all. I think it’d be difficult job, but I do want to learn how to cook better.
What kind of class would you like to see that you haven’t experienced yet?
I’d like to cook foods from exotic countries and learn more advanced techniques.
I’d like to cook foods from exotic countries and learn more advanced techniques.
To register for one of our fabulous kids classes, click on the appropriate age below:
I’ve been teaching kids how to cook for the past 15 years and I feel like I have the best job in the world. My students range from 6 year olds who can barely see over the counter to teens whose favorite foods include sushi, crispy seared duck breast and roasted bone marrow. 
