My First...Cooking Class!

I've always wanted to take a cooking class. Around here, and probably near you, they are typically offered through community education classes, at higher end grocery stores, culinary schools, and even some franchise locations. Most of them, aside from community education, were always a little too much for me to spend.

Back when I used to work {before kids were my job}, I would drive by this factory everyday. The name is quite famous, and maybe some of you may know it, but Nordic Ware is manufactured right HERE in Minnesota! And this store I drove by on a daily basis was the factory store - a place where you can buy a product right where it is manufactured. I came to find they also had cooking classes and this past week, I participated in one! 

This class was taught by demonstration using some of the new cookware sold by this manufacturer. The chef taught us how to use the grill to make different foods, some of which grilling wouldn't have been your go-to cooking method! Here's what he made and I, the lucky duck, got to sample:

From the silverware to the right and up: 

Grilled Sliders on Homemade Italian Mini Rolls 

Caramel Pecan Cake

Grilled Chicken Pizza with Mozzarella & Gouda Cheese on Homemade Pizza Dough

&

Rosemary and Raisin Bread

Excuse the cell phone pictures here! I wanted to bust out my DSLR so very bad, but chickened out! My cooking class neighbor did give me strange glances as she watched me photograph my food, but really...I didn't care.

All made on the grill! When the class was over, we received a discount in the store. It was like I died and went to kitchen heaven! This store also has "irregular" cookware, most of which I couldn't tell the difference from the "regular" stuff, sold at an even bigger discount.

If you haven't checked out your local restaurant supply stores, you MUST do so when looking for new kitchen gadgets, cookware, and bakeware! This stuff is higher quality and lasts longer!

I walked out with a few {okay, maybe six} things just for me, some pieces to put together for my brother and his fiance {a part of their wedding gift}, and a couple things for my friend who just bought a "new" hobby farm house! Look at all of this for just $75!!!

My next challenge is to try to re-create these recipes at home. They are very approachable and look super simple to make! And trust me, once you try pizza from the grill, you will never go back again. It was by far my favorite!

NOTE: I am NOT writing this post on behalf of Nordic Ware and did not receive any compensation for this posting. It is simply me sharing a slice of my everyday life :)