July 18, 2012

Top Sweets: Kahala Hotel & Resort Hosts French Cooking Classes

Hawaii, USA – Reported by Elite Traveler, the private jet lifestyle magazine

The Kahala Hotel & Resort will this August hold hands-on classes in French cooking, based on the book by chef Julia Child (1912-2004): Mastering the Art of French Cooking. The Kahala’s Université Pattisserie runs August 4th, 11th and 25th, with tuition from Kahala pastry chef Michael Moorhouse among others.

Courses include apron, graduation certificate and graduation tea party in The Veranda lounge following each class. The two-hour sessions feature Better with Butter French pastries, desserts, braising and basting cooking techniques. Each class will be unique, so it is recommended to attend all three.

“We want the students to come away knowing how the dough feels in their hands, how the sweet pastry cream tastes in their mouth, and how critical timing is when braising delicate lettuce and vegetables,” says Chef Moorhouse. “It will be fun, educational, and students will sample everything that we make. Everyone knows Julia so I want to do her legacy justice with these classes.”

The August 4th class will focus on the art of making French Pastries. Students will make Páte a Choux (crème puff) filled with sweet pastry cream. The August 11th class will feature French Desserts, including variations on pastry creams, tart dough and other French classics. In this class, students will make a buttery Páte Brisee (tart dough) and fill it with Crème Mousseline (pastry cream with butter added to it). The August 25th class will be on Braising and Basting. Chef Moorhouse will demonstrate braising techniques on baby lettuces and bok choy, and French basting techniques in the preparation of stuffed chicken legs.

The Chef warns that participants will be expected to get their hands messy in each of the classes the program will include both hands-on instruction as well as demonstrations. Following the morning sessions, participants will celebrate their ‘graduation’ with High Tea served from 11am until 2pm in The Veranda lounge. Classes are limited to 50 people.