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Anonimo

Jan 23, 2006, 1:08 AM

Post #1 of 24 (3558 views)

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Cooking Classes?

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Subject: short term, hands on cooking classes: opinions wanted.

This is an informal poll, to get your opinions on whether you would attend a cooking school while on holiday, be it one day, 3 day or 5 days.

What you would want from the classes; the role of hands-on participation, the fun factor vs the formality factor; market trips to see the raw ingredients, how to distinguish the good produce from the less good, and what would you be willing to pay for tuition and materials cost (of course, the participants would sit down and enjoy lunch or dinner that they've made) for a one day class, a three day, a 5 day?

I'm serious, and I'm gathering ideas...

Buen Provecho,
Anonimo

TlxcalaClaudia

Jan 23, 2006, 10:13 AM

Post #2 of 24 (3542 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Cooking Classes?

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Your school I assume is going to be formal, thus deserving of a price.So what sort of price would a frugal instructor like me pay? For a 1 day class...$250 - $300pesos. WAY Below what most are asking. Now if I need to provide my own food, I would do so and still pay $300pesos if I knew you would take me to the market yourself and help me pick out what to buy. In my mind, i just know i could find someone to agree to it for $100 pesos (in my home using my food)...but again your idea will be more "Class like" rather than a home lesson, no? I could not see giving up $2000 pesos for a week of cooking but I know my Mom for instance would (if she were not already a Mexican herself).

For $300 pesos I envision
-some formality (don't need a test, but a list of terms would be nice)
-A shopping experience (you take me to the market and show me which peppers are full of flavor which are dull etc)
-Hands on
-teach me the blending and mixing for flavors
-I pay for the food I cook

You could probably get $500 pesos/class out of others NOB if you advertise well.

Yes Anonimo, I'm not in need of a Mexican cooking class, but you bet! This is something I would pay for if I had to. However....I would not pay the price many have asked. I'll send you some links when i find them again. Here NOB I have always been able to get foreign friends to agree to teaching me their cooking techniques. It is usually a pride thing for some women to even be asked about their ingredients. To date I have received free private instructions (informal) from women from Pakistan, India, Taiwan, Mainland China and Indonesia. So if I had no friends/family in MExico, then I would befriend a neighbor there and ask for a lesson and maybe even offer money for their time (usually here I would exchange something in return like an HTML lesson).

Claudine

Caarina12

Jan 23, 2006, 12:09 PM

Post #3 of 24 (3532 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Cooking Classes?

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Quote

whether you would attend a cooking school while on holiday, be it one day, 3 day or 5 days.

Yes. Usually I only do the 1 day classes when I'm on vacation. However, for areas of key interest, I would do up to 5 days.

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What you would want from the classes; the role of hands-on participation, the fun factor vs the formality factor; market trips to see the raw ingredients, how to distinguish the good produce from the less good,

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and what would you be willing to pay for tuition and materials cost (of course, the participants would sit down and enjoy lunch or dinner that they've made) for a one day class, a three day, a 5 day?

I have paid (and will pay for my upcoming Yucatan adventure at Los Dos Cooking School) around $75 USD for a whole day class. www.los-dos.com I was willing to pay the $1,000 USD for the www.mexicanhomecooking.com classes in Tlaxcala but that included lodging, meals and classes for a week. Cocinar mexicano in Tepoztlan www.cocinarmexicano.com was too pricey with classes going for 1k and NOT including lodging. Sorry but that is TOO expensive. Susana Trilling's classes in Oaxaca for the week long classes seem to be well worth it and more reasonably priced. www.seasonsofmyheart.com I will be taking a class from Susana on my next trip to Oaxaca. On my first trip, I did a class with Iliana de la Vega at El Naranjo and paid $75.

Mmmm.. Thinking about a giving classes on the cooking of the Bajio?.... trip to Patzcuaro anyone? My first trip to Guanajuato I gained 10 pounds! (all of it from ates and nueces garapiñados if I remember correctly)

Caarina12

Jan 23, 2006, 12:10 PM

Post #4 of 24 (3531 views)

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Re: [Caarina12] Cooking Classes?

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The middle part of my post didn't make it over somehow...

I like the hands on participation with market tour. I learn by doing!

Anonimo

Jan 23, 2006, 12:11 PM

Post #5 of 24 (3531 views)

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Re: [TlxcalaClaudia] Cooking Classes?

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A Pilot Concept

Hi, Claudia,
I'm tentatively planning an informal class, probably one day's duration per unit, say from 9 AM to 3 PM, concluding with a comida of the foods we will have cooked.

The cost of ingredients will be included. Classes will be bilingual, más o menos. :-)
The session will start with a breakfast of pan dulce/ non dulce and café o té. At that time, the day's program will be lined out, terminolgy and recipe sheets will be passed out to the students.

Specialty regional foods, such as corundas and uchepos, will be demoed by local cocineras, I hope, on an as needed basis.

There may be classes emphasizing using local ingredients in international, especially Asian cuisine.

After the comida, students will be given their Certificates of Attendance and will keep their folders of recipes, food lore and food terminolgy.

I envision a tentative price at $350 MXP.

My student pool would tend to come from short term tourists/visitors staying at the hotel where the classes would take place (or other hotels); probably little, if any, from expats living here.

Buen provecho,
Anonimo

Anonimo

Jan 23, 2006, 12:17 PM

Post #6 of 24 (3529 views)

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Re: [Caarina12] Cooking Classes?

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Thank you, Caarina, that was very useful.
It may very well be possible that there could be promotional packages involving lodging and classes at the hotel where this would take place. All is in the drawing board, nay, the sketchpad stage at this time.

Buen provecho,
Anonimo

TlxcalaClaudia

Jan 23, 2006, 3:32 PM

Post #7 of 24 (3516 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Cooking Classes?

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All that for that price, I think it will fly. I ran it by my Mexican sil living here NOB temporarily. Her eyes went wide at the mention of your price and wanted to know if Gringos would really pay that much? I told her I bet so. She thinks your idea is very good and said for her living standards, that would be a very nice price to earn just to show a person how to cook and shop. The wheels started turning in her head.

Claudine

TlxcalaClaudia

Jan 23, 2006, 3:35 PM

Post #8 of 24 (3514 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Cooking Classes?

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another thought...Hubby says food isn't all THAT cheap in Mexico (I dunno yet) so I was thinking you could probably go a little higher on your price since you include the food costs in the price. Maybe 400 or 425? That price still doesn't seem so unreasonable to me if food is included.

Claudine

DoDi2

Jan 23, 2006, 4:57 PM

Post #9 of 24 (3504 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Cooking Classes?

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hola Anonimo

I think you're price is great. Are you sure you've figured in the expenses? I think it could be bumped up a little... at least $50 usd since it includes the meal.

As far as the time duration... maybe you could have the actual cooking class on one day and then another extra credit day for exploring/explaining the markets and street food stalls that a smaller more curious group might have lots of questions about.

One other suggestion... keep photos and recipes from your class and think about creating an Anonimo cookbook.

I fully expect to see you hosting your own show (to go along with the cookbook promotion) on public tv one day!

Rick Bayless watch out ;-)

zoeq1000

Jan 23, 2006, 11:23 PM

Post #10 of 24 (3477 views)

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Re: [DoDi2] Cooking Classes?

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I'm thinking of offering cooking classes as well. But it wouldn't be on Mexican cooking. It would be based on a book I wrote about cooking one day of the week for most of the week. I've put it on my website but haven't had any bites yet. I show how to cook four dinners at one time. My classes would be limited to 5 or 6 people because it would be hands on. So, there's no way I could charge $50 for the class what with the ingredients needed and the time and effort on my part plus the clean-up which can be horrendous.

I think for your 6 hours of class with breakfast and lunch, well, $50 is not enough for your trouble especially if you want to do hands on. And if you do hands on, then you will have to limit the number of people. Also, not only do you have to figure in the number of hours for the class, add time for shopping and the clean-up involved.

If you are only making only one dinner, that won't take six hours. Probably 2 or 3 hours will do. For a full day's class with several recipes plus dinner, I will charge more than $70 for the class.

Most cooking classes just teach a few recipes. If you are teaching technique then you are doing more than most cooking classes. And should charge accordingly. I will set my classes up for new cooks: brides and new single people who now must cook for their families. And, of course, for cooks who want to learn more about cooking. Good luck. I hope we both know what we are in for.

Anonimo

Jan 24, 2006, 2:44 AM

Post #11 of 24 (3475 views)

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Re: [zoeq1000] Cooking Classes? Small is beautiful.

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Excellent feedback, zoeq1000. I'd like to see your book, if I knew where your website was.
I like that idea of cooking non-Mexican food, but I suspect that the potential student pool from which I might draw will be short term visitors to Pátzcuaro.
I wouldn't target Serious Foodies, probably, and definitely not professionals. My intention is to keep it small, with pretty much word of mouth advertising. Each class would focus on one meal, one day.

I also like that concept of preparing 4 meals from one day in the kitchen, but in my mind, the classes would have to extend over at least 3 days, which might get tedious for the Maestra and the students both. It's also expensive, as you say, to teach that way. Well, that to me is an limiting factor in attracting students, but if that is your theme, then go for it.

My classes would be limited to 5 or 6 people, but to tell the truth, if I had only 3 students one day each week, I would be satisfied, at least in the early stages.

Buen provecho,
Anonimo

Don

Jan 24, 2006, 8:34 AM

Post #12 of 24 (3459 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Cooking Classes?

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You might want to check with the government to see if you need any special permits to teach classes for money. Any fees charged, you will want to include in the price of the class.

zoeq1000

Jan 24, 2006, 8:36 AM

Post #13 of 24 (3458 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Cooking Classes? Small is beautiful.

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I sent my website to you. About my cookbook, it is at an agency now who, hopefully have read it and will decide if they will sell it for me to a publisher. Wish me luck. It's been a labor of love since 1996.

Caarina12

Jan 25, 2006, 8:00 AM

Post #14 of 24 (3418 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Cooking Classes?

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You may also want to check around SMA, I think there are several people giving classes there and you can get an idea of prices/scope of classes etc.

I think this is a wonderful idea. Michoacan has wonderful food that I think is highly underrated and it would be great to showcase it for a larger audience.

I have also considered taking classes at Universidad del Claustro de Sor Juana in Mexico City. I wouldn't be looking at their full culinary program, but they offer special subject classes through their continuing education program that look fabulous. You may want to look at their program to get some ideas for your classes.
http://www.ucsj.edu.mx/...inua/gastronomia.htm

In December, they offered classes just about Mexican holiday breads and sweets. YUM.

Caarina

julietl

Jan 25, 2006, 11:26 AM

Post #15 of 24 (3399 views)

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Re: [Caarina12] Cooking Classes?

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I do cooking classes for adults and children. I provide the ingredients but the classes take place in the student's home.

The adult ones are usually a cooking class party with someone (usually the wife) ordering the class and bringing in her friends. My cocktail class has been the most requested, although appetizer classes are popular too. I recently did a cooking basics class for a newlywed couple, bought by their friend who lives in Chicago as a wedding present.

I find that children's cooking classes are more fun and easier to sell. Parents are usually more willing to spend money on something like this for their children, (even though they really want to do it themselves!) People just don't have the time to teach their kids to cook, or they don't know themselves.

I charge $300p - $500p per person, depending on the cost of the menu. The classes are in English or Spanish, depending on the crowd. I have found that parents like me to teach in English with Spanish as back-up, then the kids get 2 lessons in one! Here is a list of the classes that are on my web site:

http://www.spicemexico.com/cc01.html - adults

http://www.spicemexico.com/cc02.html - children
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(This post was edited by julietm on Jan 25, 2006, 11:41 AM)

DoDi2

Jan 25, 2006, 12:28 PM

Post #16 of 24 (3388 views)

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Re: [julietm] Cooking Classes?

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wow... julietm, that's fantastic. what a great idea for cooking classes and what a great webpage. A cooking party sounds like so much fun, and I'm really impressed and intrigued by your emphasis on teaching about world spices. felicidades!

Anonimo

Jan 25, 2006, 5:07 PM

Post #17 of 24 (3371 views)

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Re: [julietm] Cooking Classes?

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Julietm,
I'm very, very impressed by your classy class offerings.
I hadn't started to think of a Back to Basics Class until now. I also like the "The Mexican Kitchen (or What is all this stuff??)" Class.

I can also do an Asian Cuisine Using Local Ingredients Intro Class.

Buen provecho,
Anonimo

julietl

Jan 25, 2006, 5:28 PM

Post #18 of 24 (3367 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Cooking Classes?

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Thanks for your positive input guys!

The classes started to take off last fall, after being offered for over a year. I have donated them to local auctions to get the word out, that may work for you as well.

Yes, Asian dishes and Mexican foods share many of the same ingredients: lemon grass, cilantro, nuts, garlic, ginger, onions, chiles, lime, etc...

I would consider doing the children classes as well, they are fun. Just be sure you have enough supervision for the kids. I do 1 adult for every 3-4 kids, depending on how hard and hands-on the menu is. And I recommend a good take-home bag with all the recipes, perhaps some spices, a list of stores where they can buy the ingredients, and of course a class brochure and your card!
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Caarina12

Jan 26, 2006, 7:45 AM

Post #19 of 24 (3341 views)

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Re: [julietm] Cooking Classes?

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Looks like you have a wonderful business going!

I love the fact that you have classes for kids. Some people think that kids and cooking do not mix. I disagree. I think these basic skills are so important for children to learn. Cooking teaches basic math and science skills as well as hand-eye coordination. (I could have used some of that the other day with the piloncillo incident) Plus with today's emphasis on preprocessed prepacked awful food, it's good that children know how to do basic cooking.

In my son's play group for 2 year olds, they chop vegetables (with age appropriate knives) and the kids really love it.

Cheers to you on this lovely business!

TlxcalaClaudia

Jan 26, 2006, 7:58 PM

Post #20 of 24 (3312 views)

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Re: [julietm] Cooking Classes?

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Juliet-
This is a great idea. An affordable price too. I'm glad I have this board, never would have found about this if Ididn't have mexconnect.. This is the kind of thing I would involve my 2 little girls and any interested nieces and nephews in.You sound like you have a ton of patience. Where in Mexico are you? DF? I could see inviting you over and giving this class to my daughters, how perfect! I want ALL of your classes for kids! We do have a family home in DF too.

Is there a class listed that my 4 year old could get in on?

Claudine

(This post was edited by TlxcalaClaudia on Jan 26, 2006, 8:15 PM)

julietl

Jan 28, 2006, 6:58 PM

Post #21 of 24 (3276 views)

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Re: [TlxcalaClaudia] Cooking Classes?

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Hi Claudine -

Yes, I am in DF, in Colonia Nápoles, spittin' distance from the World Trade Center.

I was at my bookclub on Thursday and met a woman who wants me to do a cooking party for her son who is 10yrs old. Apparently he is really in to cooking and she doesn't have the time to teach him, working fulltime. So, that may happen soon. She is going to see if a few of his friends are in to it and then let me know.

So, yeah, that is generally how it works out - get a few friends together, whether adult or kids, and then we have a class!

As far as your 4 year old, I think, why not? I was cooking at that age (well, with my sister who was 6!) What is most important at that age is to get the child feeling confident, curious and learning safety in the kitchen. If they have fun, learn safety and feel like they can succeed, then you have won most of the battle. So, at that age, I would do things like teaching about ingredients (smells, feel, some peeling), measuring, putting together things that aren't cooked, and perhaps making a fun drink (think ice cream, fruit and fizz!). Especially at that age, if they develop a dish or drink that they can make for the family, then they are so proud - it becomes 'my specialty', then they naturally progress from there. You have given me a challenge! Let me know when you come to the city and we'll talk about it!
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TlxcalaClaudia

Jan 28, 2006, 8:45 PM

Post #22 of 24 (3264 views)

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Re: [julietm] Cooking Classes?

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Sounds wonderful. I will keep your info on file. We are going to Mexico (DF) in June and my 5 year old turn 6 in July, so I will keep all this in mind for a rather different b-day gift to her. I want her first birthday in Mexico to be extra fun; she likes anything in groups and shares well.
As for the 4 year old, I'll be right by her side the whole time and am sure my mil and sil will be there too. Unfortunately the 4 year old favors hotdogs and cereal, so we gotta find something else for her to take to; hope you can give me some ideas using this class to grab her interest in something healthier. The 5 year old though likes broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, hummus and cheese. Can't wait to talk about it more once we are there.

Anonimo, just curious if this is a target market for you too? This is an idea that I would like to find in other areas we could visit. A little archeology for us and a little cooking lunch activity for the kids. I would plan mini-get-a-ways around something like this. Why don't i do this myself? I will be working 2 jobs plus planning a new business once there...the activities we choose on weekends will have to be for me to get away and to NOT cook.

Claudine

Anonimo

Jan 29, 2006, 4:17 AM

Post #23 of 24 (3248 views)

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Re: [TlxcalaClaudia] Cooking Classes?

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Quote

Anonimo, just curious if this is a target market for you too? This is an idea that I would like to find in other areas we could visit. A little archeology for us and a little cooking lunch activity for the kids.

Claudia, I hate to tell you this, but while I find children to be precious little darlings, when observed from a safe distance, I prefer not to engage too closely with them. Maybe for a few moments, but no more. I am a bit of a grump in that area.
Perhaps you are looking for a babysitter to teach them Jello 101, while you dig the ruins? ;-)

Anyway, my cooking class concepts are on temporary hold, while I mull over the various aspects and pitfalls.

"En Boca Cerrada No Entran Moscas."

Saludos,
Anonimo

TlxcalaClaudia

Jan 29, 2006, 10:32 AM

Post #24 of 24 (3238 views)

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Re: [Anonimo] Cooking Classes?

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Ah that is ok. Each to their own. (Made me laugh about keeping them at a safe distance).

And what? Leave my kids alone with someone else while we dig ruins? Uh uh. My kids go with us on those trips. Besides, I dare not leave them alone with anyone, even some family. I'm real funny about that. Well good luck on the cooking ideas. Was fun to exchange those thoughts.

Claudine