ONLINE Class: Basic Knife Skills
Updated 4/8/20: This is a live, hands-on cooking class held online via Zoom. Guest list is limited to 12 students to create an interactive, dynamic experience. The Instructor will be assisted by a remote Event Lead who will facilitate conversation during class and ensure all students are attended to. We encourage students to have the ingredients and equipment set up before the class begins. We will be recording the class and we hope to make the recording available to students after an editing process to protect the privacy of our students’ homes.
Join 18 Reasons Chef and Culinary Instructor, Mike Weller, for a class in the basics of using your chef's knife at home. We will discuss the ins and outs of knife use, care and safety. You will walk away knowing how to maintain a sharp edge and the best way to cut vegetables and herbs. This is a great class for beginners. Ideally, Chef Mike will need to watch you as you execute the cuts on various vegetables in order to give you feedback and coach you in your efforts.
This is the time to use a tripod or gimbal to position your phone or webcam to show your hands, knife, and the product you are cutting, so Chef Mike can give you personalized feedback. Perhaps you can recruit a roommate to hold the camera to show your hands. There will be enough delicious food created for two, so they won't go hungry!
The vegetables cut in this class will be used to create our favorite Vietnamese-inspired "Knife Skills" Salad–with optional cooked leftovers from the fridge. Anything from leftover chicken, prawns, or tofu will work!
The recipe includes the following common allergens: optional peanuts, optional fish and shellfish in the fish sauce.
Before class, please make sure that you have the following equipment and ingredients, click here. If you have any concerns about the list of ingredients, email info@18reasons.org.
Born in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco, Mike Weller grew up in suburbs of San Jose, where he discovered cooking as his first profession and lifetime passion. After wandering through typical teenage jobs at pizza joints and ice cream parlors, Mike’s first “restaurant” job was with Sambo’s Coffee Shops, slinging hash and cooking eggs for the bar rush and Sunday breakfast crowds. He moved on to help open several restaurants, attend the California Culinary Academy, and study under European chefs with Michelin backgrounds. Later, Mike served as an executive chef for catering companies, wineries and country clubs. When his son was born, Mike transitioned his career into teaching, returning to the CCA where he eventually became the Executive Chef and Director of Academics. Having taught for Le Cordon Bleu North America in both online and brick and mortar schools, Mike is thrilled to return to teaching in a neighborhood-based community. When he is not teaching he tends to his backyard garden, helps his wife to can and preserve food, and loves to cook for his friends and family.
