Adentures in Beer and Food!
Added: (Wed Mar 18 2009)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
Here�s a thought: Beer is either brown and flat or yellow and fizzy, it�s consumed by the pint in pubs or by the bottle in front of the TV, and has no place in the world of cooking and good food.
If you believe any of that then prepare to have your mind changed!
The Fine Food School of Shaftesbury and Beer Ventures of Sherborne have come together to create Adventures in Beer and Food, two cookery and beer appreciation classes that go way, way beyond steak and ale pie.
Have you ever considered a Belgian golden ale sauce for scallops or poaching fish in wheat beer with coriander, chilli and lemongrass? Or how about a reduction of fruit beer blended with soft fruits to create a coulis, served over cheesecake. Or maybe even home cured, lightly smoked pork tenderloin served with a German smoked beer.
The creative opportunities seem endless and Adventures in Beer and Food promise to be great fun, relaxed and delicious, but also promise to open up a whole new world of culinary adventure.
The first of these classes, Beer and Sweet Things, is a unique opportunity for keen cooks, those with a sweet tooth or simply anyone interested in food, to try out some terrific recipes � all of which involve one of a multiplicity of exciting, interesting, varied beers from around the world.
The day-long class will see the attendees making a number of dishes from parfaits and sorbets, jellies, custards and sauces, to cakes, batters, tarts and puddings � all using beer in one way or another.
Beer and Savoury Things is the follow-up class, another one-day, hands-on session for keen cooks which will see them poaching, braising, smoking, reducing, basting, marinating and baking � again using beer, of course.
�Adventures in Beer and Food� have emerged from a collaboration between Paul Blake of The Fine Food School and Andrew Cooper of Beer Ventures both of whom have long and distinguished backgrounds in the hospitality industry and who can�t wait to start these new and exciting courses.
Their approaches to the subject are from somewhat different angles, Andrew is a beer expert and connoisseur who delights in the variety and complexity of the beverage; whereas Paul is always on the lookout for new flavours and new ways to be creative in the kitchen. However both share the principals of using top-quality produce in both food and drink and a love of exploring the boundaries of what we eat and drink.
Paul Blake of The Fine Food School says, �Cooking with beer is no gimmick, it�s not about shocking your dinner guests when they learn their cr�me brul�e is made with beer. There are such amazing flavours available in beers, some subtle, some a lot more in-your-face � much more so than in wine and yet so few of us use beers in cooking. �
Andrew Cooper of Beer Ventures adds, �I�m looking forward to introducing people to the incredible tastes and flavours now available in beers in this country, I think they will be really surprised how versatile beer is and what great fun you can have when cooking with it.�
Paul goes on to say, �I want people to know about the incredibly versatility of beer in the kitchen. These �Adventures in Beer and Food� classes are going to be enormous fun and anyone who loves to try new things or who just loves flavour should come along.�
The first Beer and Sweet Things day is on Thursday 16th April
The first Beer and Savour Things day is on Saturday 25th April
For further information visit www.thefinefoodschool.co.uk/adventures