Cooking classes at LI restaurants are hot
A hibachi chef shows his skills at Benihana restaurant. Credit: Handout
If you ever wanted to work in a restaurant kitchen or learn tricks from cooking pros, you can take classes to do just that.
These chefs will teach you how to cook what's on their menus in their kitchens, and then invite you to eat the meal as well. A glass (or two) of wine and a restaurant cooking class is a four-star event.
418 North Country Rd., St. James
631-584-2058, eatmosaic.com
"One of our chefs stays with you," said restaurant manager Francis Lee. "You have the whole table to yourself."
9 Union Place, Huntington
631-351-1200, bravonader.com
Part of the course is teaching the students how to order from a menu. "Do you know the different types of salmon? Lamb chops? Tuna is not always tuna," Gebrin explained.
In previous classes, he has demonstrated how to cook crabcakes, Chilean sea bass with horseradish, and potato-crusted scallops. He always ends the class with his homemade Napoleon, one of the few recipes he will not share.
354 Main St., Farmingdale
516-777-2272, caracaramex.com
"It's a great way, more than anything else, to offer some interaction between us and the guests, and give something back," Kathreptis said.
At a recent cooking class, Kathreptis made tilapia, Costillas a la Parrilla (short ribs and beef with a three-chile sauce) and Mexican flan.
Another class is planned for May1, for Cinco de Mayo, at the Farmingdale Public Library.
Learn cooking techniques from five chefs through a local continuing-education course.
516-759-3311, lvcsd.k12.ny.us/departments _and_programs/continuing _education
Other participating chefs are Michael Mossallam of La Pace with Chef Michael, Bernie DelBello of Jack Halyards, Marcel Kilbertus of Locust Valley Bistro and Jeanine DiMenna of Page One.
Lubrano has been teaching at the continuing-education program for about 10 years, he said.
"Usually, it's off my menu," he said of the meals he prepares. The cost includes wine and dessert, he said.
