I know most people usually come to the Caribbean to chill out at the beach and trust me, I’m so there with you, but I’ve also discovered some fantastic TRAVEL THERAPY finds where you learn about the local culture and cuisine by taking a fun and simple cooking class!
One of the reasons I chose to stay at CuisinArt Resort and Spa in Anguilla is because they’re not only listed as one of the top three resorts in Anguilla, they also go one step above and beyond by offering some unique Caribbean cooking classes where you then feast on your own creations for lunch.
I’m not exactly a wiz in the kitchen so I wasn’t looking for a five hour serious class, I wanted something more “user” friendly and that’s why Chef Daniel Le Guenan’s classes at CuisinArt are so perfect. They’re set up for anyone on a vacation that just wants to slip away for an hour or two to learn some great local cooking techniques and have a special dining experience.
Chef Le Guenan is from France and has such a warm, friendly, patient personality you don’t mind asking, “now how do I cut this tomato again?” or “how do I cut this fish again?”
The cooking classes have become so popular they’re now offered on Tuesday and Fridays and run $85 dollars a person and that includes your lunch and wine.
For the classes you make a three course gourmet meal that looks super impressive but is actually very easy to make. If I can do it, anyone can do it! For my class we made gazpacho for the first course, steamed snapper wrapped in parchment paper for the second and ended with crème brule and it all only took about an hour and half!
You start off this special Caribbean cooking class by getting many of your fresh ingredients from the resort’s hydroponic garden and the chef’s own herb garden. I’m not a veggy fan but after tasting these vegetables I’ve changed and my mind and learned that I actually like vegetables if they’re cooked correctly!
Another thing I loved about this class is that you actually go back into the kitchen to make your meals so you’re getting the real deal. I even got to see where the CuisinArt kitchen staff keeps the fresh fish that they’ve bought that morning from local fisherman. When they say “fresh’” on the menu, they aren’t kidding. These fish aren’t frozen, they’re straight out of the Caribbean.
Another highlight was learning how to make red snapper with some interesting island ingredients like plantains and how to then wrap it all up into parchment paper to cook for just 15 minutes at 350 degrees in the oven. It’s extremely healthy cooking, no batter, no butter, just natural juices from the vegetables helping to keep everything moist and tasty. I can’t wait to make this for my mom who is diabetic and who is always looking for new, easy, fun and fast ways to prepare fish.
After you whip everything together you get to sit outside in the shade by the pool and feast on your magical meal, sipping a wine that’s paired to go with your cuisine.
I loved everything about this experience and I don’t even like to cook usually! For the pastry portion chef Daniel always brings in a local cook to teach you the pastry part so you can talk with them about the island and learn insider information about the best places to go and things to experience. Chef Daniel says the cooking classes are set up to help give you a true taste of Caribbean cuisine and the island and coming up he’s even going to offer special cooking classes for children. I love that! Maybe if I had taken Chef Daniel’s class as a child I would actually like to cook now!
For more: www.cuisinartresort.com
Coming up… checking out the CuisinArt Spa and then a cocktail tasting with the beverage manager who has created some incredible drinks that go way beyond the usual pina colada!
