Welcome Grainne%2520BBQ%2520Newsletter.JPG to August's edition of What's Cooking?  During the fabulous summer weather, we've been barbecuing here at Cooks Academy (see pic on right).  Of course many of us are looking forward to holidays this month and at Cooks Academy we have ethnic demonstration classes running in August (places still available).   However the real action begins in September with The Professional Certificate Course kicking off.  It's nearly booked out so please hurry if you think it's something you may do.  If you miss it, don't worry, the Course runs again in January '07. There are a multitude of courses and classes designed to suit just about every taste.  Please see below for a link to our Autumn Schedule.

Cooks Academy is hosting an exposé of World Cuisine over the weekend of 26th and 27th August.  The event is part of Dún Laoghaire's sixth Festival of World Cultures.  We will be hosting 10 different one hour demonstrations which can all be booked through the Festival's Central Ticket Bureau, 01 872 1122, www.centralticketbureau.com  Prices for each demonstration are €15.00 and don't worry you will get to taste everything on the menu!  We are delighted to be part of the festival this year especially as a celebration of diverse world cultures would perhaps be missing something if it didn't feature global cuisines.

The festival itself features superb dance and music performers from all over the world with visiting acts from countries as far afield as Africa, Brazil and Cuba.  Visit www.festivalofworldcultures.com for more info.  

Nearly 37 million people worldwide are blind, 28 million simply do not need to be. 90% of them live in developing countries. As a blindness prevention charity ORBIS Ireland exists to eliminate avoidable blindness and restore sight in these countries. ORBIS works in partnership with local health professionals and members of the community to improve the quality of eye care available for people where the need is greatest.  Cooks Academy is delighted to announce its new link up with ORBIS Ireland, making ORBIS the school's designated charity.  Why not make a donation or make Orbis your business's designated charity?  Click here for more details.

Cooks Academy has had a lot of enquiries over the last year about evening hands on lessons.  To be held in our state of the art hands on workshop we're delighted to launch this new 8 week course starting in October entitled Beginners Cookery.  So if you're interested in rolling up your sleeves, read all about it by clicking here......  Places are limited to 18 so book early.

Napa Valley is North America's most renowned wine growing region.  Its climate and soil fuse magically to create some of the world's best wines and mouth watering food.  We're delighted to be able to bring a taste of Napa Valley to Cooks Academy with the first in our series of four part Wine & Food Matching Courses.  To book your place and find out more click here.  For more information about NVV (Napa Valley Vintners)

Why not organise a cookery event here at Cooks Academy?  We have lots of dates free in the Autumn and for Christmas.  Cooking is a great way of entertaining your staff or clients because it unlocks creativity, builds friendships and you don't have to worry about the weather!  We thrive on having groups here for our fun filled cookery events and with our new Hands On Workshop we can take more people than ever.  Click here for more details or call Tim at 01 214 5002

A tasty and sophisticated starter or make lots of mini ones and serve them as canapés.                                            Serves 4

100g wild mushrooms (oyster, chanterelle etc), sliced
1 tbsp olive oil
½ garlic clove, crushed
1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
1 tbsp parsley, chopped
salt and cracked pepper
50g Brie, cut into thin slices
200g puff pastry, or slices of baguette

To make the pastry galette, preheat the oven to 200°C. Line a shallow baking tray with parchment paper.  Roll out the pastry and cut out 4 coaster size discs using a 10-12cm pastry cutter.  Prick well with a fork and place on the prepared baking tray.  Cover with more baking parchment and weigh down with a second shallow baking tray.  Bake for 10-15 minutes.
Heat the oil in a frying pan with a little butter, when hot, add the wild mushrooms and sauté for 2 mins.  Add garlic, then add in the parsley and chives. 
Arrange slices of brie on top of the cooked Galette, then cover with mushrooms and serve garnished with parsley or chopped chives.

July Food Trivia Winner - Congratulations to Jacinta McGlynn one of many who correctly answered Italy as the country from which the cheese Provolone originates.

Enter August's Food Trivia Quiz to win a Free Demonstration Class at Cooks Academy by answering the following question:  When buying Plaice what should be orange if it's fresh? Enter Competition

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