Activity Review: The Smart School of Cookery

What: A Spanish Tapas Cookery Class

Where: The Smart School of Cookery with Ann Hood

When: 15th December 2012 

Over the last few years I have really started to get into cooking. I love to entertain and the launch of my frankfurt girlfriend's Wednesday night 'Dinner Club' has certainly encouraged me to practise the craft. When I saw the Groupon offer, it seemed like the perfect way to pick up some tips and spend a fun morning with my Mum back in my home town of Chelmsford.

The Smart School of Cookery was started by Ann Hood, a past contestant of BBC Masterchef, she started the school in Essex, due to her passion for cooking. In the four years it has been operating it has grown from strength to strength, offering cookery adventures for everyone. Ann now takes classes regularly and will be training prospective franchise owners to run their own cookery schools using the same successful ‘recipe’.

We got straight into the cooking as we had a 6 dishes to get through, the other 'chefs' were a mix of cooking enthusiasts, a chef school graduate! and utter amateurs (like me!)

courses included, Paella, which I prepared, Pincho Diablo - pieces of pork marinated in spanish paprika, chillies and red wine, Calamares Andalucia, Potatas Bravos, Tortilla Espanola and my favourite:

Gambas al Pil Pil
Sizzling hot chilli prawns

Ingredients:
 Oil
 Garlic Paste
 Chilli chopped or sliced
 Prawns , de veined and butterflied
 Salt & pepper
For Serving
 Parsley - chopped
 Lemon wedges
Method:
1. Place the prawns, garlic and chilli into a bowl and toss with oil.
2. Cook in hot pan until pink.
3. Taste, season, take off the heat and serve immediately with parsley and lemon.

The morning was highly enjoyable, informative and relaxed. Any initial apprehension was quickly soothed by the sparkly eyed, Ann, who was very knowledgeable, charming and enthusiastic. She gave straight forward and clear explanations for each dish and her additional tips were invaluable. My mum, who is admitadly is not the keenest cook, really enjoyed herself and will be back with my father for sure! 

Excellent Morning, many thanks to Ann and I wish her great success with all the adventures 2013 will bring.

Book now via www.thesmartschoolofcookery.com classes start again January 4th and locations are growing across the UK, including London Mayfair, Essex and Kent.

Contact: 

The Smart School of Cookery, 62 Main Road, Danbury, Essex CM3 4NG 01245 227 527