You’re relaxed. You’re having fun. The shelves are stocked with some new cookbooks. The pantry has some great ingredients and you have learned to put a little more of yourself in your cooking. What’s the next step? Take a class. You’re committed and you need to learn more. Books are great but there’s nothing like standing side-by-side with a pro to pick up on those little nuances that will make you even better. Every good cook/chef will have plenty of information to share... just be sure to ask questions. Cooking classes are everywhere, from free 1-day classes to week long seminars costing $$$. Find the ones you like. Look at restaurants in the area and see if they are offering a class. You’d be surprised how many do. We did at the hotel we were at before coming to GE. The topics can be very informative and exciting. Find a restaurant you really like and ask the chef if they might put together a class if they don’t already have them, you never know until you ask.

Now you’re armed with a whole new set of culinary skills. Just be sure to pass them along. It seems in the fast-paced life we live very few are taking the time to cook anymore. When we do it’s often put together quickly to get a meal out. Take the time to teach someone yourself. Pull the kids in and let them knead the bread or help make the vinaigrette. Let the older ones plan a meal and help them put it all together. Food and cooking are such a vital part of our lives it would be a shame not to share it.