The Shopping List

Before the class, you will receive a shopping list, recipe and preparation instructions. We make every effort to use ingredients that can be purchased anywhere in the US or Canada. If there is a special ingredient, you will know this in advance & we will include suggestions as to where to find anything out of the ordinary (maybe a certain type of chilli or orange blossom water).

The Cook-Along

Each participant cooks virtually along with Christy, the instructor at the same time. She may demonstrate particular techniques, and you'll have time to try it real time in your own kitchen. All preparations instructions & the equipment you’ll need are sent in advance so its easy to cook along without rushing. We will be cooking dishes from Portugal & the Mediterranean. There will be lots of salads and desserts too!

The Zoom Class

As the cook along class is via Zoom, you can easily ask to have anything clarified or demonstrated. We are happy to share all that we know and we want to learn from you too! As a recording of the class will be available, you can also use it as a tutorial in the future- perfect for beginners.
Once the cooking is complete, everyone has the opportunity to sit down and taste their creation, get and give feedback, and generally enjoy everyone’s company :)

Will I be able to find the ingredients at my local grocery store? Are they expensive?

Our intention is to make everything accessible. Chances are you already have many of the ingredients in your cupboard. The thing about Portuguese and Mediterranean cooking isn’t a bunch of strange or exotic ingredients – it’s in how they’re used. Common ingredients are; oregano, sea salt, olive oil, thyme, chick peas, eggs, feta cheese, and mint.
There may be a time when something special is on the menu – like say a certain fish or orange blossom water. We will make suggestions where you can locate specialty items.You will know this before registering for the class so you can make the best decision for you. Again we make every effort to use ingredients that can be found at most grocery stores.

What if I’m vegetarian or not able to eat certain things?

Because you know the menu for each class in advance, you can choose which class offers something you want to make. We offer substitutions such as vegetarian or dairy-free options for classes when it’s feasible. An example is a paella class. We will demonstrate the method for making a delicious vegetarian paella – which is actually vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free!

I live alone or with one other person/I have a large family. How big are the recipes we’ll make?

Because this is a real life situation, most meal recipes are designed to be halved or doubled. Or easily frozen. Take paella as an example. It’s not feasible to make a single-serving paella. It’s even kind of tricky to make a 4-serving paella. The good news is it’s often better the next day. The even better news is that paella freezes extremely well. An exception is if we’re baking say a cake. They pretty much come in one size and again, most cakes and baked goods freeze very well. We’ll even share our tips and tricks with you so nothing goes to waste.

I’m not available when the class is offered. Can I still book a class and just watch the recording later?

The short answer is Yes! We will record each class and then we’ll send the link to you. The recording will be sent ONLY to those who register for the class. It will NEVER be shared elsewhere. Promise! For those less confident in the kitchen, you can watch the recording as a tutorial in future. To get the most from the class, we'd recommend joining live as its more fun to cook together!