Cook the Book: Almonds, Anchovies, & Pancetta
$165 per person
Instructor
Our Cook the Book classes celebrate some of our favorite chefs and restaurants through their cookbooks. We select a signature dish from their cookbook, adapt it for the home kitchen, and build a menu around it to bring the book to life. These events are less instruction-based than our other cooking classes and make for an enjoyable night out.
What You'll Learn
By the end of this class, you will…
- Know how to make a vinaigrette that will make vegetables of any season sing
- Learn a simple technique for making suave vegetable soups
- Create pâte à choux – a versatile dough for uses sweet and savory
About This Class
After 22 years as the chef at Chez Panisse, and winning an IACP award for his previous cookbook, Chef Cal Peternell’s newest book focuses on making vegetables the center of the plate. Sure, there is a little (flawlessly cooked) protein on the side, but Cal will help you understand how small amounts of bold proteins (queue the almonds, anchovies, and pancetta) can create depth of flavor and enrich dishes.
Using an Italian sensibility, which lets vegetables really shine, with lots of northern California influence, Cal will walk you through a menu that highlights the best produce of the season in straight-forward veg-centric dishes you’ll cook again and again. While the menu is not entirely vegetarian, you’ll appreciate how he truly lets the produce shine and in fact enhances flavors with just a touch of bold protein. His food is healthy, creative, and economical – as good as it gets!
Menu
Bagna Cauda Salad, Carrot & Almond Soup with Saffron & Coriander, Rolled Pork Loin Roast Stuffed with Olives & Herbs, Fried Potato & Garlic Puffs, and Chocolate Ice with Crisp Almond Meringues
Details
- Wine included
- Full meal served in class
- Work in teams
- Ages 18+
FAQ
All students must show proof of vaccine before entering school and will be required to wear a mask unless eating/drinking.
We understand and respect that lifestyle decisions during Covid are an individual choice. If you test positive for Covid while the class is in session, you will be asked to send a friend in your place until you have a negative test. Classes will not be rescheduled, credited or cancelled. Once the class session starts the class is non-refundable. This was our policy pre-Covid and continues to be our policy today. We hope you find this policy acceptable and understand that this policy is required for a small school like SFCS to operate and open our kitchens for great food experiences.
The average duration of our current cooking classes is 4 hours, which is predominately hands-on work. You will be standing for the majority of class, cooking at your work station as your instructor demonstrates techniques and walks around providing individual feedback. Most of the time you’ll be working with a partner or small group on a few different recipes.
Doors will open 10 minutes prior to class starting and we will begin promptly on time. Students will be asked to queue up outside the door of the school to have their vaccine cards checked the first week of class (these will only need to be checked once).
Please arrive at the school with your own mask on. New, disposable masks are available should you need to replace yours while in class.
Wear comfortable clothes and close-toed shoes (remember, you’ll be on your feet cooking). The kitchens at SFCS are fully equipped with everything else you need, including clean aprons.
You will sit down with your classmates to eat what you’ve all prepared, along with some wine. We do suggest you have a small snack before class as dinner does happen towards the end of each session.
Wear casual clothing you can easily move around in, and comfortable close-toed shoes. Long hair must be pulled back and masks are required while in the building.
Cancellation Policy
Cal Peternell
After nearly 22 years as the chef at Chez Panisse, Cal is now hosting Cooking By Ear, his culinary education podcast, writing award-winning cookbooks, and working to open a new cafe. He was inspired to pursue cooking while living in Italy.