Trail Blog
May 12, 2011
Hot Item » Cook like a Cajun at Lafayette’s new cooking school
You may not have been born on the bayou, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn to cook the specialties of Cajun country. A new cooking school in Lafayette, along our Bayou Bounty Trail, offers a variety of classes that not only help you learn to cook like a local, but also inspire you to take on the cuisines of other cultures too.
“The Accidental Chef Cooking School is a one-of-a-kind school in Acadiana, where you can learn not just how to cook, but why we cook the way we do, why we use the ingredients we use,” says chef Carlos Russo. “It’s part history lesson, part gastronomical delight.”
Classes range from 90-minute sessions to daylong workshops, and all are hands-on. The three-hour classes, which cost $100 per person, are the most popular. “They feature hands-on instruction, recipe packets, wine, a four-course meal and personalized apron,” says Russo. “It’s a long enough class where people don’t feel rushed; they have time to observe, to ask questions, to learn but to also enjoy a fantastic meal and interact with other guests who share their love of food and fine dining.”
During their three-hour Cajun/Creole class, a typical menu might include yummy favorites such as chicken and sausage gumbo, garlic crab c’est si bon, crawfish étouffée and bananas Foster. Abbeville native Janice “Boo” Bourgeois Macomber, who’s cooked for years at the well-regarded New Orleans Cooking Experience, teaches the class.
“In her creations, Boo incorporates the art of cooking with recipes from her Sicilian mother, her aunt and her sister. Her mother taught her the Cajun aspect; her aunt gave her the Italian influence; and her sister had the patience to teach her the basics. She embraced them all and honors their memory by incorporating their special personalities in the recipes.”
Russo leads classes focused on Italian cuisine. Influenced by his upbringing in a large Sicilian family, he teaches his culinary students such classics as Caesar salad, Italian wedding soup and chicken cacciatore.
Guest chefs are also brought in on occasion, and private classes, both for individuals and groups, are available. Those interested in attending a class are encouraged to reserve a spot a week in advance.
On the first Monday of each month from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., The Accidental Chef hosts a “Meet the Chef” experience, which includes gourmet beer and appetizers. The cost is $50 and, while walk-ins are welcome, you can book in advance online.
Learn more about The Accidental Chef Cooking School in Lafayette and find recipes to try at home on their website, www.AccidentalCookingBlog.com.
Classes Across the Trails:
Find culinary classes all across our trails. Here are a few other opportunities you may enjoy:
Vieux Carré Gourmet: On our Delta Delights Trail, this Monroe, Louisiana, gourmet food store and restaurant offers guest chef wine dinners and cooking schools. www.vieuxcarregourmet.com
New Orleans Cooking Experience: Sign up for a half-day class or three-day culinary vacation in the Crescent City! www.neworleanscookingexperience.com
Cane River Kitchenware: This charming shop located on Natchitoches’ Front Street offers a variety of monthly classes. 318-238-3600
Louisiana Culinary Institute: Located in Baton Rouge, the institute offers a selection of leisure classes. Upcoming topics include comfort foods, artisan breads and vegetarian cuisine. www.louisianaculinary.com
The Caldwell House: Located in Abbeville, along our Seafood Sensation Trail, The Caldwell House hosts cooking demonstrations and classes by local Acadian chefs and those outside the region. http://www.thecaldwell.com
