Classic French Pastry Class at The Stocked Pot & Company!

When I received a Groupon e-mail for a classic French pastry class deal at

The Stocked Pot and Company, I jumped on it! I am a huge FoodNetwork
junkie and there's nothing I love more than to watch someone else cook!

I was especially interested in this particular class after

learning that Croquembouche was on the demo-menu!

And, I was especially interested in going back to The Stocked Pot and Company

because it's such a fun place to shop! They have just about everything you

need for the kitchen! If you can't find it here... Then you don't need it!

The Stocked Pot and Company offers quality cookware, to include Viking and

Le Creuset, plus Gourmet Food, Wine, Catering and... Fantastic cooking classes!

We arrived early to shop get a front row seat to

watch Chef Don McMillan work his magic!

Classes range from $49.00 to $300 each, depending on the recipes

and class length. On my list of classes to attend is the 6-hour, hands-

on baking boot-camp and the German comfort foods class!

During this evening's class we learned how to create a Croquembouche,

and a Chocolate Souffle, and a Paris-Brest custard cake with fruit!

This was three hours Very well spent!

During his presentation, Chef Don shared lots of tips and tricks with

us. He really knows his stuff, and even I learned a thing... or twelve!

And that's saying a lot... Because you know that I know my way around the kitchen!

The recipes created tonight are three very complex and technical French recipes;

however, by the time he finished, Chef Don had us convinced we could throw

pate a Choux filled with pastry cream together in no time. And, you know

what? Seeing him do it, I believe that I could! And, you could too!

And so we shall!

This is Paris-Brest - Created in 1891 to commemorate a French bicycle race!

Now we know!

You can learn more about the sweet pastry, and the race here

So on to the Croquembouche, or better known as, the reason I showed up!

But first... We stopped to bring the Souffle out of the oven. Because as we

know, Souffle waits for no one! After a light dusting with powdered

sugar, Chef Don created a well, and poured melted chocolate into it!

Back to our Croquembouche assembly... I have attempted Croquembouche

but just ended up with a big pile of very tasty cream puffs... But now that I have

Chef Don's expert caramel-making down, I know my next Croquembouche

will stand up and actually look like it should... Thanks, Chef Don!

And thanks for the lesson in Swan cream puffs too!

This was a fantastic way to spend an evening with a great friend. If

you live nearby, I highly recommend you shop The Stocked Pot, and

attend a class real soon - Chef Don offers a class for every interest!

The Legal Stuff: I was not compensated by The Stocked Pot and Company for my review, and all opinions about their classes and retail operation are my own.  However, if I ever am invited to attend a Free class, you'll be the first to know!