Kitchen Bliss

Being a reviewer I’m fortunate to experience some pretty cool things in the food world.  This week I was invited to be part of a focus group for a new food venture called ‘Kitchen Bliss’.  ‘Kitchen Bliss’ is a series of cooking classes that will be launched later this year by Carol Angove, a Castlemaine local, and the brainchild of this initiative.

Carol Angove

 Along with five others I was asked to participate in a test run for Carol’s cooking class at her home and provide feedback before she launches to a wider audience.  Carol lives in a gorgeous setting in Castlemaine and you instantly feel welcome and comfortable when you arrive.  We started the morning with a cuppa and Carol’s freshly baked warm Russian Apple Sharlotka cake. She introduced us and went through the menu and recipes for the class.  These were presented in a charming little keepsake folder. 

Chinese Dumplings and Pot Stickers Menu:

Savory

·       Pork Buns

·       Shanghai Soup Dumplings

·       Shrimp Dumplings

·       Gow Gee Dumplings

·       Asian Green Beans

·       Dipping Sauces – spicy, ginger and spring onion oil.

Sweet

·       Red Bean Dumplings with Ginger Syrup

·       Black Sesame Dumplings

I was excited to see we were making Chinese dumplings.  I had never attempted to make these before.  Working in pairs and we were assigned two dishes each.  I was buddied up with Clare.  We were to make the ‘Shanghai Soup Dumplings’ and the ‘Red Bean Paste Dumplings’ in the allocated 2 ½ hours. Once completed we would sit down and eat our way through the menu we had all cooked, with a glass of local wine at Carol’s beautifully set Chinese inspired dining table.

The class structure was a very hands on with guidance and demonstration from Carol when required.  Working in pairs was a great way to work as the load was shared and you felt like you were in a team.  It was also a great opportunity to meet new people and converse with one another whilst working through your tasks.  Even though there were only six students the kitchen was a buzz. It was fun, interesting and relaxed.  An advantage of the small group was being able to observe the others create their dumplings.  A great insight for when you want to try them at home at another time.

Carol invited us to be seated whilst she completed the steaming and served the finished product to the table for us to sample. 

All of the dumplings were fantastic.  We had all done an amazing job for a group of novice Chinese cooks.  I particularly loved the savory dumplings. My favorite being the pork buns – these were so moreish. The sweet dumplings were also great, sweet but balanced, certainly not overpowering. The feast was finished off perfectly with a pot of jasmine tea.  Happy, content, blissful.

The group 

Carol is planning to launch her ‘Kitchen Bliss’ cooking classes in October this year in Castlemaine.  The classes will vary from Chinese Dumplings, Cheese Making, Red Velvet Cupcakes and Macaroons, Italian, Classic Greek, Vietnamese and Christmas Delights.  Classes will be on Saturdays from 10am – 2.30pm ranging from $110-$130 per class.  And of course the class ends with a feast of the wares.

My verdict is that Carol is on a winner.  ‘Kitchen Bliss’ is a hit!  I’ll be going back for sure.

For more information on ‘Kitchen Bliss’ cooking classes please contact Carol on (03) 5470 5594 or via www.kitchenbliss.com.au