For those who've yet to have mastered...

[Gail]

Pie crust. Gravy. Pizza dough. Broiling. Blackening. Sauces...

The list goes on and on...

I just had a thought which I'll throw out to you.

You have this bulletin board. You have TV, magazines, books, friends, family. But you're still stymied.

I'm wondering... so I'm just sort of sticking my foot in the water, so to speak... but another post made me think of this. Sometimes what we really need is hands-on help. Sometimes you need to actually DO something with somebody else to let them see what you're doing wrong.

We have Supper Clubs. Why do we not also have Cooking Tutors? Wouldn't it be nice if those of you who live close to each other could actually volunteer to help the ones who aren't comfortable with particular skills?

What I'm proposing is something like this: Person A needs to learn how to make pizza dough so he or she posts a request for a tutor. And, if someone lives nearby who's particularly good at said skill, he or she can answer that post and set up a time (privately) to get together and help.

Stupid idea? Unworkable?

[tbb113]

I personally think its a great idea! Not sure if I'm good enough to tutor on anything though ;)

[mobear]

I think it sounds good to, but I am not enough of an expert to teach either. I want to learn more of the science of baking, so I bought the Cook's Baking Illustrated in hopes that I will be able to start reading it soon to learn more.

Editing to say: We have one woman in our Supper Club who is very knowledgeable, and who is able to answer alot of questions for those of us with less experience. She is a great resource, and it is a good idea to have someone like that around.

[colleency]

That's a great idea!

[wallycat]

I would love a tutor :) and if there is something I'm comfortable with that someone else feels they need help with, I'd be happy to assist too :)

GREAT idea!
feel free to PM me if you're in my area and can offer help or want some. I'd love bread dough folding help :)

[Gail]

Hey guys,

I'm not saying you're expected to be expert in all respects, just that it seems to be we've had so many people volunteer techniques and foolproof methods, that there are a lot of people out there who are very likely equipped to share a particular skill with someone else who just can't seem to get it.

You like getting together for klatches and supper clubs, this is just another way you can get together and help at the same time.

Ana's got the idea. :)

[ellen6242]

I think it's a great idea! If there's anyone in Orange County, CA that's interested, pm me.

Ellen

[Gail]

Originally posted by ellen6242
I think it's a great idea! If there's anyone in Orange County, CA that's interested, pm me.

Ellen

They'll need to know if you're offering help or if you're in need of it, though...

[gertdog]

If there is a pie crust tutor around here (central NJ), I'd love a lesson!

Hmmm... what can I offer in exchange? I'm good with a pizza peel and pretty good with yeast dough and sourdough starter, and I can teach someone to make homemade pasta.

Nice idea, Gail!

[reneeinnorthwes]

Gail,

For newer cooks like me that would be great! Coordinating it could be a bit of a challenge. Do you know how to contact Cooking Light? Perhaps they could set up a tutor section similar to the Dinner club section (by region). This might make it easier to find a person in the area. Sometimes... it would be nice to have someone 'seasoned' who could help find and explore ingredients. I recently tried to find cinnamon chips (for a bread I read about on the CL bb)but I can't find them anywhere. I'm sure there is some small little store that has them but I haven't had time to explore.

It would be great to be able to ask someone who knows the area!

Renee

[eas11]

Wonderful idea!

I said on another thread that my most successful baking experience was in jb's kitchen, under her watchful eye :)
Also, I think the 1st klatch, that Mamasue hosted, was at her house learning how to make Gnocchi. I missed that one...and so love gnocchi!

After meeting Sunipa in Boston on Wednesday, I'll publically say here that I would love some tutoring from her in traditional Indian cooking :D Are you reading this, adgirl?!

[Marsha]

Brilliant idea! Hope there is an easy way to facilitate it.

[Gail]

Originally posted by reneeinnorthwes
Gail,

For newer cooks like me that would be great! Coordinating it could be a bit of a challenge. Do you know how to contact Cooking Light? Perhaps they could set up a tutor section similar to the Dinner club section (by region). This might make it easier to find a person in the area. Sometimes... it would be nice to have someone 'seasoned' who could help find and explore ingredients. I recently tried to find cinnamon chips (for a bread I read about on the CL bb)but I can't find them anywhere. I'm sure there is some small little store that has them but I haven't had time to explore.

It would be great to be able to ask someone who knows the area!

Renee

Thanks for the thumbs up, but you might be jumping the gun a little insofar as contacting CL is concerned. I wasn't envisioning anything so large scale as Supper Clubs, simply thinking that those of us here within the on-line community might be able to benefit by a little spreading of wisdom, so to speak. I'm not at all convinced that there's that much interest here, to be honest-- after all, a handful does not a great idea make... I just thought it was a possibility worth a little tossing around.

[Wendy w]

Great idea Gail. Personally, I would love for someone to take me by the hand to make preserves. I have always been intimidated by it.

[AdGirl]

yes, i'm here, ellyn! i would love to teach you (and anyone else interested) to make some traditional indian dishes! there are definitely some techniques that i think are best communicated by showing rather than telling...

how do we go about setting this up logistically? i started to teach some people pretty informally back in tx and i found they were able to absorb better in their own kitchens, with their own stuff, rather than in mine... on the other hand, i would be more than happy to have you come over here, too!

[Gail]

And we have a match! :D

No rules, here. You two work it out privately to whatever works best for you.

I feel like a proud mother hen whose first chicks just hatched. ;)

[tigermorris]

This is a really great idea.

I would love a LESSON in pie crusts and bread making. Fear is my biggest problem. For some reason, I think these two items would be a flop!!!

I would love to offer a LESSON to anyone in my area on basic baking, scones, cookies, soups, etc. I can do lots of things, but I have yet to do pie crust or bread.

Keep me posted; this is an awesome idea.

Terri

[eas11]

Originally posted by AdGirl
yes, i'm here, ellyn! i would love to teach you (and anyone else interested) to make some traditional indian dishes! there are definitely some techniques that i think are best communicated by showing rather than telling...

how do we go about setting this up logistically? i started to teach some people pretty informally back in tx and i found they were able to absorb better in their own kitchens, with their own stuff, rather than in mine... on the other hand, i would be more than happy to have you come over here, too!

YES! This is awesome :) My kitchen will welcome you (and other locals who may want to join us) I will be in touch by PM so as not to totally hijack this thread. Anyone wanting to join in can PM me.

Gail, you are too funny :D Thanks so much for starting this thread.

[tigermorris]

please PM me if you want a LESSON or if you are willing to give me a LESSON.

Thanks, Terri

[JJeannette]

Since there are several monthly threads here anyway, why not do a monthly thread on this? Think up some catchy title and make sure your locations are evident so everyone knows who's looking for help where--.

[ErinM]

I just wanna say Waaaah, I don't live close to anybody to get or give a lesson :(

[Gail]

IF we get enough interest, that may be a good idea. Of course, if the people who need help are in Peoria and the people who WANT to help are in New Brunswick, this may not be doable. If this drops too far on the page, someone please bump it up in the morning to see if there's more interest.

So far, only one of my eggs has hatched. :(

---

Edited to add:

Oh drat. That was suppose to be in response to JJeannette's post. But it helps to click "quote" first... :rolleyes:

[Gail]

Originally posted by ErinM
I just wanna say Waaaah, I don't live close to anybody to get or give a lesson :(

Unless you're the only one in the state of Nebraska, it's too soon to know yet.

Speak up. Say what you need or what you're offering. Maybe there's a lurker reading this who'll be just the ticket.

You never know...

[shoyski]

Originally posted by Gail

I feel like a proud mother hen whose first chicks just hatched. ;)

As you should!:) What a terrific idea! I'm sure most of us will benefit from this idea. :cool:

[tigermorris]

bumping

[MISSINDI]

Great idea, Gail! I love our Supper Club, and this is sure to be a great thing, too.

I'd love to learn how to cook both Indian and Cuban food... anyone in Northern NJ that might be an expert?

[JJeannette]

Since I'm always up VERY early in the morning--BUMP;)

[cab321]

Cool idea Gail!

Pie crust tutor available near Buffalo, NY! (Edited to add gravy too)

Searching for a pizza crust lesson - or any true ethnic foods (Indian, Cuban, Japanese, etc.).

[tbb113]

Bump so it stays on page 1 :)

[jtoepfert100]

Desperately seeking bread help in Memphis! As a newer cook, can't offer much in return by way of cooking advice but I make mean cocktails!;)

[Angelina]

Queens, NY checking in! I can offer lessons on bread making (for beginners) and Italian cooking. I'll take lessons in whatever you are good at. :D

Angela

[JJeannette]

If I'm out of line with your idea, Gail, say so, but I don't see this as a "skill swap". I see it more as a "good deed forward" thing. The person wanting to learn to make a good pie crust may not have a skill that you need, but a third person may just be the one to help you--. Teaching someone else to do something you enjoy is in it's self a reward---. So if you want to learn a new skill, please don't feel like you have to have one to exchange--:)

[Gail]

Yes, you're right.

I assumed, reading the responses from interested parties, that they were offering both sides as an incentive to interested parties. But yes, the original idea was simply that if someone needed help with a certain skill and someone else felt inclined to tutor, it would be as you put it-- a good deed thing.

[eas11]

Just popping back in to say I think we're on our way here (we New Englander's are always on the cutting edge :D) Got two PM's from others interested in joining at my house as Sunipa teaches us Indian Cooking! I have room for 1 more in my small kitchen, if any1 else is interested. Stay tuned for more details as the story develops.....

[Gail]

I'm glad for any small amount of success, since as feared, we're not getting too many responses. So yes, do keep us posted!

[rosie_one]

Gee, this sounds like fun... I'm sorry I didn't see this thread earlier. I'm not terribly advanced. I can roast a mean chicken, am good with fish and I know my way around basic wines. I'd love to learn knife skills, bread making, the perfect pie crust. How about making a souffle? Wally? JackieO? Any cheeseheads up for making a meal together and swapping some skills?

Those of you in Orange County should try the Laguna Culinary Arts school. I took a class there while on vacation and had a great time. :) It's right on PCH, downtown Laguna.