There are those among us, myself included, who would love to wander from the dictates of recipes and travel freely in the world of cooking technique. After being drilled in one thousand and one béchamel sauces at culinary school, all chefs know that when you’ve got the technique down, creativity follows.
Eleanor Hoh’s cooking classes aim to teach recipe-free, stir-fry technique, according to Hoh’s “Easy Style” method. Once you’ve got what Hoh calls the “roadmap” down, “you can create hundreds of your own recipes” with whatever visions of sugarplums and eggplants you may have.
I was invited to a Wok Star class at La Cuisine Gourmet in Coral Gables. (Yes, that means comped.) The $65 cost may be pricy in these none too optimistic times, but here are some considerations: The classes are small enough that there is ample opportunity for hands-on at the wok. Hoh is a conscientious teacher; she does not just demonstrate. She communicates effectively about what she is doing and why. You learn four distinct combinations of stir-fry (vegetable, meat, shrimp, and fish) and get to eat the crunchy, satisfying results. Tiger Beer and Prosecco are free-flowing, although you do want to try to remember some of the class.
Hoh will be teaching special Chinese New Year themed classes February. Cost is $65 prepaid. You can get more information at the Wok Star website.
Here are some pictures of my Wok Star class, along with an Audio Bite interview with Eleanor Hoh.
Trina, thank you so much, I am so impressed with all the work you put into the slide show and audio interview and just in time for Chinese New Year! You are really a great model for bringing food to life. Ralph and I think you did a fantastic job and we appreciate it.
Although from faraway England I’ve heard of Eleanor Hoh.
Exactly the right approach in my opinion. Much better to learn technique than cooking by numbers.
Wish I could be there. Good luck!
I am a big time “wanderer” too! I love putting my own spin and stamp on recipes as well! I used to live 5 mins. away from the Miracle mile when I lived down there. I do follow Eleanor as well. I wish I could join you guys at the class!