Gourmet Central - A recipe for success

Cooking classes and food demonstrations are on the menu at Otago Polytechnic’s Cromwell campus (New Zealand) following today’s launch of Gourmet Central – a new culinary concept which focuses on hands-on learning.

Offering inspiration to those who love food and a fun activity for groups and individuals, Gourmet Central brings the region’s top chefs and superb local produce together for half-day classes, demonstrations and food tours.

The brain behind Gourmet Central is Debbie Crompton an award-winning Kiwi chef and Chef Lecturer at Otago Polytechnic’s Cromwell campus.

She says the focus of the courses is to take the “fear factor” out of cooking by providing a hands-on, fun way of learning about food.

“Gourmet Central will help people improve their culinary knowledge and skills in an informal, interactive and fun environment and give them the confidence to be able to whip up fabulous dishes which can be used every day, not just for special occasions.

“These sessions are all about rolling up your sleeves and just getting into it. We want everyone to have a good time so there’s plenty of hilarity as well as a little wine while we’re cooking and the chance to get together and enjoy the spoils of our efforts at the end.

“The courses are really flexible and can be tailored to suit any occasion, whether it’s a group of friends, a birthday party or a corporate team building exercise,” she says.

Award-winning Blanket Bay executive chef Mark Sycamore and Amisfield head chef Jason Innes are already signed up to teach the first ‘Cooking with Friends’ classes. Other Gourmet Central courses include ‘saucy tricks’ and French classics.

Debbie is passionate about learning and teaching different food styles and has a strong culinary drive to use local ingredients.

“I want to teach people how easy, nutritious and sustainable it is to use local and seasonal ingredients,” she says.

“We’re extremely lucky here in Central Otago because we have a great range of top quality produce right on our doorstep that can be converted into simple and delicious dishes.

“Growers, winemakers, chefs and industry personalities will be part of the education process – they’ll come along to various classes to talk about their areas of expertise and demonstrate specialty dishes.”

All Gourmet Central courses are taught in the fully-equipped kitchens of Otago Polytechnic, and make the most of the polytechnic’s partnerships with local businesses and suppliers.

Individuals can sign up to any of the courses by visiting otagopolytechnic.ac.nz/gourmetcentral.