If you’ve read my blog for a while, you know I LOVE going to Santa Monica on Wednesday mornings when The Gourmandise School of Sweets and Savories does their “Follow That Chef” series!
You get to follow a Chef/Cookbook Author/Totally Cool person around the Santa Monica Farmers Market, then go back to the school for a free demo using the items the Chef picked up at Market. It’s probably one of my favorite things to do and I have met some incredible people through this series. It’s ok. You know who you are. Don’t be shy!
Our first Chef, back in December of 2011, was Chef Jeremy Grossman of Sonoma Wine Garden.
He taught us to make our own Ricotta cheese. He probably taught us other things too, but I remember the cheese! I was so excited to go home and make my own! I haven’t bought ricotta since that day. It’s so simple and easy to do. Once you learn, you’ll never go back. That’s the BEST thing about Follow That Chef. Not only do you meet interesting people, you learn so many things. I’ve learned great recipes, awesome tips and tricks for cooking at home, I’ve learned about vegetables and fruits I never knew existed! It’s amazing!
If someone said to me last year, as we were following Chef Jeremy, that exactly a year later, the “Chef” leading the tour the first week of December would be me, I’d have laughed. Probably laughed so hard, I’d be in tears over what a ridiculous idea it would be to follow me, a simple food blogger, around the market.
Guess what? I’m not laughing now. I’m actually doing it! I don’t know what we’re making yet, but it will be awesome! It’s going to be my first live demo – you know, beyond pretending in my own kitchen with my friends and family – so I’m a little nervous, but most of all, I am beyond excited for this opportunity to share what I love!
Someone on my Facebook page asked who was going to take pictures and do the review, if I was the Chef? Well don’t worry! I have a friend who is a photographer who is coming along and I will be posting my review, so you can see what it’s like on the other side of the stove! Won’t that be exciting?
If you live in or near Santa Monica or Los Angeles, I’d love to see you December 5th! Here is the link with all the info: Follow That Blogger!
See you there! There might even be cookies. :-)
You drive 45 miles most Weds for the StMonica farmers mkt?
Hi! No, not every Weds! When work permits or there is an interesting Chef to follow. Have you ever been? It is great!!
When I worked near StMonica, I would occasionally go on Wed or Sats.Wish it were closer to our city but we have about 5 FM’s each week.
Are all your local Farmers Markets in different areas? Which is your favorite?
How awesome are you??? That sounds incredibly fun!!! I just actually applied to work as a kitchen assistant at The Gourmandise School… out of the blue, just up and called them. Glad to know we’re in the same neck of the woods…
I LOVE Gourmandise! They are awesome!!! I didn’t know you live in the LA area. We should get together some time! :-)
That’s so awesome! I don’t even have a culinary school around here :(