Kay Alave (L), Minette de Asis (R) and their assistant Helena Friebel (center) take a quick break in between meal preparation and dinner service
Berlin-based Filipino students Minette Flora de Asis and Kay Alave successfully conducted their first Filipino cooking class at the kitchen of Goldhahn & Sampson in Prenzlauer Berg. The sold-out class drew in an all-German audience, save for two who were Filipino-Germans.
Enthusiastic participants were divided into sub-groups and were hands on during meal prep, with supervision by Kay and Minette.
The course aimed to introduce students to the flavors of Philippine cuisine and cooking techniques that are basic in the Philippine kitchen. The dynamic duo Kay and Minette engaged their students in a culinary experience from meal preparation to dinner service. An explanation of the genesis of Philippine cuisine was given by Kay, with participants learning how the cuisine is very much a unique fusion of Malay, Muslim, Chinese and Western influences. This was followed by a brief orientation on how to maneuver in the kitchen. Participants were then divided into sub-groups, each assigned to prepare a dish from the 4-course menu. The cooking class package included Fried Spring Rolls with Mango and Pineapple Salsa, Shrimp Sinigang (shrimp in tamarind soup), Chicken Adobo with Steamed Rice and Safflower, Squash Stew with Coconut Milk, Pickled Cucumber, Avocado Ice Cream and Maruya (banana and coconut fritters), plus wine and beer.
Minette grew up in a northern Philippine coast city with access to a rich selection of fish. Her cooking skills are influenced by her father, a passionate chef. Minette has worked as a consultant for international organizations and has lived eight years in Berlin. She is about to finish her doctoral dissertation in Agricultural Science and Economics at the Humboldt University.
Very much influenced by her mother, Kay developed a passion for cooking at six years old. She grew up in Manila and worked as a journalist for ten years. In 2012, she moved to Berlin to pursue graduate studies in MSc Global Change Management at the Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde (University for Sustainable Development Eberswalde).
Kay and Minet will have another cooking class on 30 March 2016 at the Goldhahn & Sampson branch in Wilmersdorfer Str. 102/103, 10629 Berlin. Goldhahn & Sampson is a shop of international spices, wine, homemade bread, cheese and chocolate. It also offers an impressive collection of German and English cookbooks and has a kitchen that regularly holds international cooking classes. END
