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Chef Alain Michel is whipping aspiring cooks of all ages into shape, teaching them the tricks of the trade at a new culinary school in Bahrain.
The chief executive officer and founder of Culina Cooking Art Activities hopes to have found the recipe for success by sharing his passion for and knowledge of food.
Whether you want to make a career out of cooking or you simply wish to impress family and friends at a dinner party, Culina offers a range of courses to cater for culinary converts.
He said: “The aim of the school is to improve the level of knowledge of the different fields of baking and cooking and is already popular with people working in Bahrain’s food industry wanting to expand their knowledge.
“This school, however, is also open to everyone that wants to learn basic techniques and gain some culinary skills to use in the home. The best way to learn is to cook.”
The courses serve up an array of kitchen pointers explaining the necessary techniques needed to become a proficient pastry-cook, for example, from the basics to managing a menu.
Once students have learned the fundamentals then they will move on to explore a world of more than 20 global cuisines.
“At Culina Cooking Art Activities everyone will go home with a genuine knowledge for cooking. One day you might take home a beautiful cup cake or perhaps a fantastic roasted chicken. Either way, Culina will give you an unforgettable experience.”
The academy officially opened its doors on April 15 after Chef Alain and a Bahraini backer felt there was an opening in the industry after observing the standard of fare at numerous restaurants on the island.
He explained: “We noticed so many dishes making their way back into the kitchen and frankly it was disappointing to see because we have many talented cooks here. For them not to know how to use their ingredients is heartbreaking.”
The executive pastry chef and baker has held numerous senior positions in the hospitality industry around the globe from hotels to cruise ships and even in royal courts.
He studied at the French Chef School of Occitanie in Toulouse but he still remembers what he learned about baking from his uncle, Georges De Lpech, a renowned breadmaker who died at the age of 91 in 2011, and to this day passes on those skills in similar fashion to students.
At Culina Cooking Art Activities, based between Tubli and Isa Town, pupils learn how to bake bread, cookies, macaroons, and fresh pastries, learn the intricacies of Italian and Fine French cuisine.
Chef Alain said: “We have an international kitchen, a Mediterranean kitchen, a bakery and even a chocolate laboratory, alongside professional teachers.
“We hold two day and three-day classes and week-long courses. It all depends on what people want to learn.
“We also have special courses throughout the year such as our new class for Ramadan. Women won’t have to worry about what to make for the family during the holy month as they can spend three hours in our kitchen and be home in time to break their fast with meals for four. This course costs BD29 and it will provide dinner for four.”
The school also has a French cooking class co-ordinated with the Alliance Françoise Bahrain, a French cultural centre, which brings together the language, culture and traditions of its country of origin.
Once a month, students make dinner in French and English and then dine together. Chef Alain added: “I will teach them to cut vegetables properly, make fresh juices and dishes. This costs BD25 per person and the beauty of it is that the students will cook instead of just watch.”
Now Chef Alain is displaying his expertise to the public in hopes it will appeal to their appetite. He recently staged a two-hour cooking demonstration for hotel chefs and servers along with members of the media where he shared some tips and invited them to sample his quick dishes.
He demonstrated different techniques such as how to make a lemon meringue pie, chicken roulade with ratatouille, fruit and chocolate tartlets as well as how to decorate a beautiful cake.
Jeffrey Mentaran, 20, from Juffair, a chef with the Bahrain Family Leisure Company, was impressed. He said: “The cooking demonstration was fantastic. He has skilled hands and was a delight to watch. He was very careful and paid attention to details. I loved the way he decorated and presented the food.”
For more information contact 17178951, email info@culinabahrain.com or visit www.culinabahrain.com
