When Jrock asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I said “just get me out of the house, please! Anything - pottery lessons, whatever…”
So he bought me three cooking lessons at Mission Hill, the grand vineyard up top of the hill in Westbank.
My first cooking lesson was themed around the Terrace Restaurant and it featured five favorites from the restaurant last year: Red rock Crab Pappardelle (amazing,) Carmelized Fennel Veloute with Halibut Cheek (decent,) Sloping Wills Pork Tenderloin with glazed Apples (delicious,) Crusted Albocore Tuna with Heirloom Beet Salad (beets mediocre but the tuna, a revelation,) and Vanilla Bean and Chevre Cheesecake.
I thought I would get to chop and stir, but it’s more of a audience type experience, with you eating each course paired with a Mission Hill wine.
Yes - it was fabulous. The food was great! We got all the recipes and lots of neat techniques and tips. I can’t wait for the next one - “Inspired by Julia Child” - or the last one - “100 Mile Diet.”
Enjoy the dishes below!
January 22nd, 2010 at 7:59 pm
That is an awesome gift. And the food looks delicious too. Enjoy your yummy time out of the house
Mary
January 22nd, 2010 at 11:13 pm
You didn’t give a review of the cheesecake, like the other courses. Good/bad/fair? I think you might need to replicate some of your learning, maybe have us over for dinner?
January 23rd, 2010 at 7:51 am
My hubbie gave me a (single) cooking class last summer for my birthday, and I, too, loved it. Mine was an Italian class where I also watched more than did anything, but I came away with a full tummy and some great ideas. It was a lovely night out. Way to go, JRock, for giving such a great gift. Have fun!
Ruth
January 23rd, 2010 at 4:29 pm
The cheesecake was ok,but the lime sorbet between courses was awesome. Too bad our home icecream machine doesn’t work as well as the $10,000 one at the restaurant!
I knew I might be some self-invitees after I posted this, you mooch Joyanne! lol