One of the perks of this job is occasionally getting to attend an event as a “press” person. It is a special experience if I get to have fun, learn something new, and eat great food. This night was special! I attended an evening cooking worshop at the Viking Cooking School. You may recognize Viking as a brand of high end stoves. They also have a cooking school and cook’s retail store in Atlanta. They are located on Peachtree, very near where it crosses I-85, on the edge of Buckhead, with abundant free parking.
Picking an instructor can’t be easy. You certainly need good credentials and someone knowledgeable. Sandra Kolka has both, but she is also a happy spinning dynamo. Preparing and cooking several items at once, while instructing students of various skill-levels, requires more energy than most of us possess. Sandra made it look like a joy rather than a job, and I thought she just might take flight at any moment. A small woman of Italian descent, Sandra has ties to many well known chefs and worked for William Sonoma. I was particularly impressed with her focus on the needs of individual students. She made excellent suggestions for improving my knife skills.
Thai menu:
Thai Spring Rolls with Sweet and Sour dipping sauce
Chicken Satay with Peanut Dipping Sauce
Banana-leaf wrapped Snapper in Curry Sauce
I promised Viking not to share recipes, but everything we cooked was very “do-able” for the average home cook. Workshops are hands-on and limited to 12 students. Plus, it you had one too many complimentary glasses of wine during class and your memory is foggy, there’s a full recipe packet with step by step instructions. Other bonuses include 10% off on anything from the retail store you buy that day.
They have specialty classes for kids and teens, wine tasting events, or couples can try the “Date Night” classes. For those wanting to improve their cooking skills, try a culinary basics course or the Viking University Series. If you prefer to sit back and watch, there are demonstration classes too.
The Viking Store
1745 Peachtree Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30309-2404
404 745 9064
Hours
Mon – Fri, 10a -9p
Saturday: 10 am-6 pm
Sunday: noon-6 pm
Class calendar (scroll to bottom)
Comments
You were right with the term 'spinning dynamo!' 90% of the experience there is due to Sandra. I should know, I'm one of her oldest students and the skills still stick with me to this day!
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