Tag Archives: great wine pairings

Cooking Class Dinner-Hester Creek

Last  year, for my birthday, Don bought tickets for two dinners at Hester Creek. We had such a great time, we bought two dinner/classes this year for our Anniversary. We absolutely love these dinners-you try foods you probably wouldn’t make at home and…here it gets funny; you meet some really nice people. We did last year. Now, here is the rest of the story.

We arrived at Hester Creek, a little earlier than the stated time. Said our hellos to Paul Cecconi of Brodo Kitchen and his Sous Chef Haun (sp). So happy to see these two working together again and, Roger, Chef of Hester Creek. To us, it is like old home week.

We find our place at the table, where you oversee and learn how these dishes are prepared and, lo and behold, a group of 8 come in and sit down, as well as two other couples at the opposite end of the table. We introduce ourselves and realize they are the very same “crazy 8” we sat with, laughed with and ate our dinner with last year. Not only that, we were sitting in the very same seats. And the fun begins…..

Our menu for the evening was paired with wines of Hester Creek:

Beef Carpaccio Crostini with a 2012 Pinot Blanc – both were fabulous

Lobster Bisque with spiced cream and Gruyere Crumble-same wine-again. fabulous

Fall Squash Perogies with Chorizo-sidestrip Prawn saute, Argula, roasted garlic sage cream, paired with a 2012 Chardonnay. This was tasty and we are starting to moan….yet another two courses to go.

Heritage Angus Veal Cheeks and Crispy Sweetbreads over three cheese polenta, pickled yellow and red beet rounds, topped with a red wine reduction. The wine was a perfect 2011 Reserve Merlot.

Spartan Apple Doughnuts, with Rosemary caramel and lemon chantilly cream paired with a lovely 2012 Late Harvest Pinot Blanc. OMG these were super delicious.

What a super night for a couple of reasons. We watch Roger assist with the service of the dinner and you never see so much as a hint of ego between the three chefs. Gotta love that. And our 8 new friends. We love that you were here again and that you didn’t throw us out. Instead, we started planning a get together at our place while they are here again in two years and, once again, attend another cooking class dinner at Hester Creek. ( Apparently, it has to be 2 years….they think taking a European River cruise is more fun….go figure!)

Thank you Don for our gift together, Hester Creek  and Roger for having these dinners, Chef Paul and Haun (sp) and our new friends. Great night-many laughs. See you in 2 years……and don’t forget the seafood.

Roger, we will be back on Wednesday for  your class.

 

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Walnut Beach Resort – Spring Grand Finale

This was the big finale for the cooking classes sponsored byFran and her staff at the Osoyoos Home Hardware. It was held at the Walnut Beach Resort and they didn’t disappoint. http://walnutbeachresort.com/osoyoosdining.html

Our Chef, Justin Paakkunainen (yes, it is spelled correctly) is a bundle of inspiration and humour, and his Sous Chef, Todd, put up and served a lovely barbecue. The rub on the ribs was thought of expressly for the barbecue they were preparing and believe me, you will read these recipes over the next couple of days, and you will wonder if they were put up correctly.

The wine pairing was with Adega on 45th Estate Winery in Osoyoos. http://adegaon45.com/They are a new winery and Pamela and her daughter Racyne did well with their choices. With the vegetable salad (grilled to perfection) was a Rose; with the Pork Ribs they had a lovely and not heavy red wine, and with the dessert (surprise ingredients) was a beautiful Port.

The scenery was lakeside, warm, sun just slowly sinking in the West and  was a perfect ending to a wonderful season of cooking classes.

And guess what? I actually won a prize…a cookbook. Yes, I was pleased.

Thanks again to Home Hardware, Fran, Suzie, Judy and all the others who stay late and assist where they can and to the Walnut Beach Resort for treating us so well and actually serving us at dining room tables. http://osoyooshomehardware.ca/

If you go to damnicandothis.com and check on the facebook logo, you can pick up the fabulous recipes Justin offered.

Can’t wait until the next session to start. Okay, okay, Fran and her staff, take the rest of the summer off and we will see you in the Fall.

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