Buono Appetito!

James and I spent the day at the Keizer Culinair cooking school here in Amsterdam. We particiapted in a full-day, six course culinary workshop called, "The Italian Kitchen". There were 15 people in the course and 2 chefs. The school is run out of a beautiful canal house on the Keizergracht right in the heart of the "Nine Streets". Inside it was light and airy, the walls decorated with colourful paitings by a local artist. The kitchen itself was very Jamie Oliver. There were french doors that opened up into the back garden.

We all were assigned a course. James and I volunteered for the main course (what were we thinking) which was Scampi alla livornese con patate alla milanese e finocchi al forno or Shrimps in tomato-sauce with potatoes and fennel out of the oven. We had such a blast. I worked on the tomatoe sauce and the shrimp marinade. James made the potatoes and fennel. Our course was by far, the hardest one and it got the most oohs and ahhs from the group.

When it was all done, we sat at a long table and each group served their course and explained how they did it. We had tons of wine and sparkling water, too. There was a real mix of people. We met an older couple who were here from England staying with their son who treated them to this day at the cooking school. There were a few Americans who were all here working for 2 years, like us. There were some realling funny Dutch girls and a very beautiful guy from Brazil. All in all, everyone was super friendly and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I can't wait to do another one. I hope they offer more courses in the Fall. I'd love to do a Thai one.

So now we are stuffed and a bit strung out from all the espresso but what a fantastic day! Bellissimo!