Cooking classes at SAIT - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Mango · 03-05-2006, 10:42 PM

Hi all -

I'm wondering if anyone has ever taken a cooking class at SAIT before. If so, how was the overall experience and what classes would you take? It is $300 for a 6 week program and I wanted to make sure if would be worthwhile.

Thanks in advance

Eddie Bronze · 03-05-2006, 10:45 PM

I didn't even know they offered such a thing. Sounds like such a great idea. I'm looking forward to hearing an answer to this as well.

Calgary Flames · 03-05-2006, 10:50 PM

Cooking classes?? C'mon, you don't need those. Sounds like a good old fashioned SAIT cash grab...

If you're looking to do it professionally then sure, but I can't see a reason why someone would need classes to cook. i guess i'm a natural

then again i've pretty much been cooking for myself since I was 12...

I'd save my money and buy a cookbook for Asian cuisine. Some complex recipies that are tasty.

Eddie Bronze · 03-05-2006, 10:52 PM

Your mama didn't feed you or what?

Mango · 03-05-2006, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgary Flames

If you're looking to do it professionally then sure, but I can't see a reason why someone would need classes to cook.

Well, you're lucky then. Cooking doesn't come naturally to everyone and I find it easier to learn if you have an instructor to guide you. They'll show you tricks of the trade that can't be found in the pages of a cookbook. They offer a lot of different courses:

Taste of Tuscany
Caribbean Get-a-way
A Night in New Orleans
Aristan Style Baking

But enough of that.

Anyone have any personal experiences with the courses?

Eddie Bronze - they seem to offer a variety of courses. If you go to www.sait.ca, go to continuing education and look under culinary arts. There's a variety of different courses.

Calgary Flames · 03-05-2006, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie Bronze

Your mama didn't feed you or what?

Actually yes. Seperated parents Busy dad = Chef Jordon. At the very least I don't need to pay $300 for cooking classes

Eddie Bronze · 03-05-2006, 11:01 PM

Oh shoot, put my foot in my mouth there. Sorry Jordon.

I'd bet there are a lot of options out there for cooking courses...should look around and see if there are any other options perhaps?

HelloHockeyFans · 03-05-2006, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mango

Well, you're lucky then. Cooking doesn't come naturally to everyone and I find it easier to learn if you have an instructor to guide you. They'll show you tricks of the trade that can't be found in the pages of a cookbook. They offer a lot of different courses:

Totally agree Sandra.

In fact, I don't think cooking comes naturally to anyone. It's something you learn.

And you're right, I would imagine by taking a course, you'd learn a ton of little tips from the pros.

The good thing I think with cooking courses is, after taking one you'll probably never have to flip through another cook book for the rest of your life.

$300 for 6 weeks, eh? How many classes a week?

Calgary Flames · 03-05-2006, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie Bronze

Oh shoot, put my foot in my mouth there. Sorry Jordon.

Don't worry about it.

If I didn't have to go through circumstances like that growing up i'd probably lack alot of skills I have now.

Anyhoo, sorry Mango for semi hijacking

All I know is that pretty much all the food at SAIT is top notch so the classes must be good.

sketchyt · 03-05-2006, 11:07 PM

Mango,

I did time at SAIT and got to know a lot of people in their cooking programs. The feedback is similar with all of their programs... the courses not aimed at obtaining something like a certificate or diploma is not worth it.

I learned to cook watching Iron Chef non-stop. Subscribing to the Food Network for six weeks will probably teach you a lot more and be a whole lot cheaper.

Then again, if you like the classroom environment for learning then that's probably best for you.

Calgary Flames · 03-05-2006, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sketchyt

Mango,

I did time at SAIT and got to know a lot of people in their cooking programs. The feedback is similar with all of their programs... the courses not aimed at obtaining something like a certificate or diploma is not worth it.

Even some of those aren't worth it...

But the course Mango is describing sound like something for fun and overall knowledge and skills. I'm like you, I like watching cooking shows like Iron Chef and picking up on things... even if it's how to cut an onion properly.

Reggie Dunlop · 03-05-2006, 11:12 PM

Bah. It's a night out once a week and it gets you off the couch. Go for it. Expand your horizons. It's your "dough" so to speak. Education isn't always about enhancing one's resume.

Eddie Bronze · 03-05-2006, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Bah. It's a night out once a week and it gets you off the couch. Go for it. Expand your horizons.

At least it'll be more than just apples or oranges!

Mango · 03-05-2006, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

$300 for 6 weeks, eh? How many classes a week?

It would be one, four hour class every Thursday night.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sketchyt

I did time at SAIT and got to know a lot of people in their cooking programs. The feedback is similar with all of their programs... the courses not aimed at obtaining something like a certificate or diploma is not worth it.

Thank you for the feedback. I'll certainly keep that in mind.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Bah. It's a night out once a week and it gets you off the couch. Go for it. Expand your horizons.

That's the way I'm looking at it. I think cooking is such a great hobby, but I especially love that you never stop learning.

The feedback is appreciate. Thanks all.

Reggie Dunlop · 03-05-2006, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie Bronze

At least it'll be more than just apples or oranges!

Well, I've never taken a cooking course, but I'd consider it if I got to meet a Mango!!!

No Continuing Ed course is a waste of time. Frivolous? Maybe.

With Culinary Arts, sure, you can go by the book and "engineer" a dish, but learning from another person teaches you the "soul" of cooking. Cooking is more than merely filling your belly when the hunger pains start. It's a sensuous journey into the soul. Not everyone has a spry ol' grandma from the old country. A professional instructor is the next best thing.

JiriHrdina · 03-05-2006, 11:57 PM

Do the SAIT cooking students not run a resteraunt up there that is very highly though of. I've not been there myself but I've heard people rave about it.
I agree with other thoughts in the thread - sounds like a great idea.

Calgary Flames · 03-06-2006, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Do the SAIT cooking students not run a resteraunt up there that is very highly though of. I've not been there myself but I've heard people rave about it.
I agree with other thoughts in the thread - sounds like a great idea.

Yes, The Four Nines. I don't like it personally, the food is good but I've had too many occaisions where they screwed up my order completely. and the lines there are insane sometimes.

FunkMasterFlame · 03-06-2006, 03:50 AM

SAIT also has a 56-week professional cooking course which is recognized as one of North America's best cooking schools. I've actually been accepted into this coming fall semester too, so I can hardly wait.

Shawnski · 03-06-2006, 03:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Do the SAIT cooking students not run a resteraunt up there that is very highly though of. I've not been there myself but I've heard people rave about it.
I agree with other thoughts in the thread - sounds like a great idea.

That would be the Highwood. Excellent food, just excellent. Takes forever to get a reservation, and you won't get in without one, at least the last time I looked into it (damn, that was five years ago now..)

Here is a review of the restaurant..

http://www.calgarysun.com/cgi-bin/ni...&p=79.html&a=1

And Mango, go for it.

PS... the Four Nines... larf... isn't that a cafeteria?

SpecialK12 · 03-06-2006, 07:52 AM

I myself absolutely love to cook and have been looking in to these classes myself. If I could afford it I would definately be doing it. Alot of the local wine stores will offer some cooking classes as well (with wine tasting). There is a company called "The cookbook company" that offers alot of good looking ones as well.

Like Jordan I have been cooking for myself since I was 12 (single parent family) and as some people on this site seem to think, I don't think the cooking classes offered at sait are so much about "learning to cook" but they are about learning about the specific styles of cooking, as well as the type of foods from the various regions. They give you an opportunity to practice techniques, pick up on little tips and actually taste the food. It is more about the total experience as opposed to just generally learning to cook.