Free culinary class offers side dish of culture
February 18, 2010 by ADAM CARLSON
Filed under Food & Dining, Variety
First rule of thumb: do not be afraid of the rolling pin.
Or the mixing bowl. Or the oven.
“Cooking is not a hard thing to do,” Fatima Kazanci said.
And she would know. As one of the cooking class instructors at the Interfaith Cultural Organization of Athens, Kazanci has been providing free culinary classes since April along with her co-instructor Nur Cayirdag.
When they began teaching together, it was with this goal in mind: to show that there exists something outside of ramen noodles and that what you can make yourself can be tasty and inexpensive.
They’ve demonstrated recipes both new and familiar to any resident foodie — baklava, stuffed grape leaves, roll apple pie, carrot salad — with a simple work ethic: demonstration is essential.
They believe showing people that they are capable of more than just out-of-the box food helps build their confidence in the kitchen.
“People try it so they know [they can do it],” Cayirdag said.
Though neither is formally trained in the culinary arts, both women have years of informal experience: Cayirdag has been cooking since she was 13.
With that experience also comes the knowledge that cooking can offer more than just the opportunity for good food.
“We encourage people to cook their own culture’s food,” she said. “It’s not just cooking and eating, [it’s] also sharing.”
Each session typically involves two hours of actual cooking followed by an hour of chatting and eating.
It’s with that spirit of cross-cultural culinary learning that Kazanci and Cayirdag invite other friends to attend and participate in their classes.
Their next guest will be teaching the art of preparing the Chilean empanada and rolled apple cookies.
The focus on fresh and organic vegetables also attracts curious cooks-to-be interested in smarter alternatives.
“This is coming back [in style] in America,” Cayirdag said. “It’s the healthier option.”
Both women also encourage repeated attendance. Participants who attends three of the cooking classes will receive a special cooking certificate.
In addition, each class offers the opportunity to learn a variety of easy, inexpensive do-it-yourself recipes including desserts, salads and main courses.
Amidst the cooking and the eating is also the opportunity to talk, which is just as important.
“Food is a great connecting tool,” Kazanci said. “Our main motivation is to get people together over food, and to get them talking.”
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Family Housing Community Room
Price: Free
