Well after a couple of building permit glitches, they have finally opened! Classes started on Monday, November 7 and they will be offering classes almost every day of the week.

I stopped by the school tonight and it was their third night as a school. 16 students were gathered around work tables learning Essential Knife Skills. During my visit, students were learning how to brunoise or how to dice vegetables into tiny dice. I watched Resident Chef, Stacy Horn, instruct a student on how to properly cut bell peppers. She informs the student that it’s easier to cut with the skin side down, then shows her how to “rock” her knife along the board for better control. The student takes over and starts to cut and after a few rocking movements of her chef’s knife she has a look of surprise on her face as she understands her new found skill. The class then moves onto how to cut leeks and the students get a lesson on how to cut and cleaning techniques to get rid of the pesky dirt that is always present in leeks.

The South Coast Plaza location is hosting a full set of classes with classes filling up quickly. Most of their classes are hands on, with classes in the evenings and 4 classes over the weekends. You can visit their class schedule at:

http://www.surlatable.com/browse/storeCalendar.jsp?storeId=079
or click on the pic below:

I was watching the class as another customer was walking by and noticed the class. She said that she was looking forward to the new school but didn’t know if she was going to have time to take a class. I said the have classes on the weekends and after work during the week. She saw that it was a knife skills class and I said she should take a class. She saw Chris who works at the store and immediately signed up for a couple of classes! How awesome is that!

Take a look at their schedule and learn something new or refresh some existing skills!

Sur La Table
333 Bear Street
1st Floor across from the Apple Store
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-241-0118

The construction hasn’t started yet, but it’s scheduled to start next Tuesday. For the next 6-7 weeks they will be building a brand new kitchen in the back of the store. They will be moving their existing inventory room elswhere and that space will become the school. They are knocking down a wall so the entry to the school can be seen from the front of the store.

This is great news for those living in Central and South Orange County. I think this is going to be very successful for them. That location gets lots of foot traffic and the response to the school is going to be awesome!

Their first class is scheduled for the third week of September. They will host an array of classes for the non-cook to the the seasoned home chef. You can check out their first offerings HERE. Class prices will vary and range from $69.00 and up. Most of the classes will be Hands-On and host up to 16 students.

For those interested, their first class is a collaboration class developed with personality chef, Bobby Flay. The class, called Bobby Flay’s Grill It starts on September 11 and it is a 3 part class also happening on the next 2 Sundays.

Sur La Table
South Coast Plaza – West Wing (formerly Crystal Court)
1st Level across from the Apple Store
333 Bear Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

• Phone: 714-241-0118
• Email: slt079@surlatable.com

This is a free event and will be held at 5:00pm at the Sur La Table in SCP. Bob will also be signing copies of Knives Cooks Love – written by Sarah Jay and Sur La Table. Copies of the book will be on sale prior to the book signing.

Earlier in the day, Bob will be hosting a hands-on Master Knife Skills class at the Newport Beach Sur La Table. Reserve your spot for a rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn knife skills from the foremost kitchen knife-maker. Bob Kramer is the only former chef in the United States to have been certified as a Master Bladesmith by the American Bladesmith Society. He belongs to an elite society of master culinary knifemakers and is the only one who specializes in kitchen cutlery. Cooks Illustrated once wrote “The Kramer knife outperformed every knife we’ve ever rated.” Put simply — Mr. Kramer is king of the kitchen knife. The class is hands-on and costs $100.00.

Connoisseurs wait years for one of Bob Kramer’s originals, but Sur La Table has partnered with him to create an exquisite line of artisan knives only available at Sur La Table. Don’t miss your chance to join the master himself as he shares his methods of using cutlery through demonstrating cuts, sharpening techniques and explaining why the new Shun Bob Kramer line will make kitchen prep a joy.

Saturday, July 25, 2009
11:00 AM

Nothing says summer like something frozen, sweet and delicious. Get ready for the long hot days to come and pay homage to the wonders of ice cream, popsicles, granitas and more in this class designed to expand the cooler end of your desert repertoire.

MENU: Vanilla Ice Cream Base – Lemon Thyme Granita – Frozen Banana Popsicles – Ice Cream Sundaes with Trio of Homemade Sauces

Register online

Sur La Table
832 Avocado Avenue
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949-640-2330
www.surlatable.com

Tuesday, July 28 & Thursday July 30
6:00 – 9:00 pm

Focus on Mastering Croissant Dough & Danish Dough

Menu includes: Plain & Filled Croissants, Bear Claws, Cinnamon Snails, Butterhorns, Fruit-filled Danish Braid, Cream Cheese Pockets.

Blackmarket Bakery
17941 Sky Park Circle
Suite E
Irvine, CA 92614
949-852-4609
www.blackmarketbakery.com