What You'll Learn
By the end of the class you will:
- Know how to prepare a savory and balanced caramel sauce
- Understand the importance of mise-en-place in Vietnamese cooking
- Work with rice paper wrappers to roll spring rolls
About This Class
From the first bite of Hanoi’s classic grilled fish noodle stew to the last sip of Vietnamese coffee, Chef Alex Ong will transport you on a fragrant journey through the beautiful (and delicious) Vietnam. And what better guide than the man who, 20 years ago, opened San Francisco’s renowned Vietnamese restaurant Le Colonial?
You’ll work through each dish alongside Chef Alex as he demonstrates the unique Vietnamese techniques of forming delicate shrimp rice cakes, shows you how to master the mad wok “shaking” of that beef tenderloin, and explains why, of course, caramel goes with roasted chicken.
Menu
Goi Cuon (Fresh Spring Rolls), Shaking Beef, Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Rice Crepe), Caramelized Claypot Pork, Cha Ca La Vong (Turmeric Sea Bass Stew)
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
Alexander Ong
Alexander was the Chef and managing partner of the beloved Betelnut Pejiu Wu in San Francisco. Born and raised in Malaysia, he apprenticed at the Shangri-La Hotel in Kuala Lumpur prior being hired by the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead in Atlanta. In 1995, he moved to San Francisco where he worked with chef Jeremiah Tower at Stars for 3 years. He opened Le Colonial’s kitchen, and then Xanadu in Berkeley, where he was named “Rising Star Chef” by the San Francisco Chronicle.