The final cooking class for 2015 with Osoyoos Home Hardware was held at Spirit Ridge -in the Bistro patio area. This night is always a sold out event and, although we have been attending these wonderful classes for 5 years, this was, without a doubt, the best ever. http://www.spiritridge.ca/
Sold out to 55 attendees, the Management and staff out did themselves. First of all, there was a ‘glitch’ in the event to start with but Manager Warren pulled out all the stops for Frances and her staff. We were under a white tent (in case of rain) and, as Warren told us, always have a Plan B…well he did and it didn’t rain.
Chef Bruce had an amazing menu for us and opened up the floor to any and all questions. This really was unusual in itself. He was prepared with his menu and was more than generous with his knowledge on cooking, preparing different meats (proteins) and explaining his style.
The menu was Beer Marinated Prawns with steak cubes served with 2 salads..my favourite one was a pasta salad with an orange/garlic dressing. This was a lick the plate clean meal. Dessert was a super hit…cinnamon sugared Bannock, halved, topped with diced macerated strawberries, whipped cream and the top set at a saucy tilt on the side.
Our Beverage Manager/Bistro Manager, Pierre, was a sight to watch. He started the evening off with Mojitos for 55 in a very quick, free poured perfectly muddled display. He is young but has done this before and never blinked. Pierre is a great addition to the staff at Spirit Ridge. With the dinner course, he served at beautiful Merlot from the cellars at NK’ Mip. Following with the dessert course was a chilled white wine called “Dream Catcher”. (For the younger set, Pierre also has the cutest dimples. Just sayin’)
Again. Pierre took the time to explain the way to make this fabulous Mojito using St. Jermaine liqueur as well. I had never had one before and I found it to be absolutely delicious.
All in all, a perfect ending to a wonderful season with Frances and her staff. For the recipes of tonights fare, go to www.damnIcandothis.
It was wonderful to listen to Warren pass the credit to Frances for the evening. If he had a big ego, he could have taken all the credit. The sharing of ‘community spirit’ in Osoyoos can’t be beat and I love it. Frances gave each attendee a really neat set of 4 windmills on pegs for the barbecue season. They can be clipped on napkins, holding place cards or clipping on to wine glasses.
For your information, the cooking classes draw attendees all the way from Kelowna south to Osoyoos. Frances and her staff (Susie) and others are legendary here in the Okanagan.
