Find out about our Vouchers for Christmas, and discover our Christmas Menu as well as our new French traditional Workshops! Just click here!

Hi foodies, We just came across this article about the new craze for Verrines in the US! Funny how Chef Up! has been teaching and making it for a while now. For your group activies, company team buildings or catering we LOVE verrines! Check it out here: http://www.chefup.com.au/groups-and-companies/

“A taste sensation in France, verrines have touched down in the U.S. and home parties are attaining a whole new level of style and taste.

If you’re looking for a fun, hip dish to serve this holiday season look no further than verrines – a French delicacy that looks as good as it tastes and is simple and fast to make as well.

Many people get their first taste – and sight – of verrines while traveling in France. The colorful, flavorful dish has been gaining in popularity abroad, propelled by chefs whose versions of the dish feature brightly colored layers of ingredients in varying textures, all served on top of each other in small, clear glasses.

Verrines are individual servings of appetizers served to show off each layer of culinary goodness. The name comes simply from the French word for glass – verre – and the straight forward layering method means you don’t have to be a master chef to create your own version of the dish.

The simple, structured presentation is tough to beat. Stylish and straight forward, verrines are easy to put together and look as elegant as anything you can serve.

Add to that the fact that some of your guests will be seeing this great dish’s presentation for the first time and you have all the makings of a big time party favor that hits a gourmet trifecta of style, flavor and texture. A truly tres bien addition to any gathering to be sure.[…] Read the full article here: http://iledefrancecheese.com/index.php/Dream-verrines-this-holiday-season.php  

CHEF UP!

If the idea of a hands-on cooking class appeals to you, but the cold, intimidating stainless steel of a foreign kitchen does not, Chef Up! may just be the answer to your prayers – they’ll send a professional French chef straight to your kitchen for you and your mates to learn the tricks of the trade over a few glasses of wine. For those on a health kick, the Healthy & Tasty three-course menu will prepare an easy-to-learn meal for you and your mates. For the finicky over-achievers, there’s the option to present your (probably complicated) dream recipe, and be guided so it actually turns out to be the masterpiece you envisioned before serving it up to your nearest and dearest. Looking for a team-bonding experience? The Chef Up! team also offer corporate cooking classes and team building so you can beat your colleagues at the art of the julienne.

– See more at: http://www.theurbanlist.com/sydney/a-list/sydney-s-best-cooking-classes#sthash.l1ymf7Bi.dpuf

Article by eHarmony Australia:

How to create the perfect French dinner date

Craving pancakes? Stop right there!

Here is the recipe of

The real FRENCH CREPES

It’s no secret, Crepe is one of France’s most famous dish. And one of the most delicious too! It comes from Brittany, but every French household has a Crepe dinner from time to time, especially on the 2nd of February for “La Chandeleur”. This was originally a Christian celebration, but it has become part of the French culture as THE day to cook Crepes.
One sure thing is that whether you cook crepes at home or not, you can never resist the smell of it when strolling down the nicest streets of Paris!

And guess what? it can be easy to make!

So if your idea of making something nice for your friends and family is stirring some pre-made batter in a bowl, you should probably read this.

Sweet or Savoury, we all love Crepes!   Here we go:

  Ingredients (for 15 French crêpes):
– 300 g of flour
– 3 eggs
– one hint of salt
– 2 tsp of oil (with no flavour)
– 50 g of melted butter
– milk (around 30 cl)
– a small glass of beer (optional)  

Proceedings:
-Put flour and salt in a bowl and make a well in the centre.
-Whisk your eggs slightly to mix the yolk and the white. Put it in the hole of your well. -Add your oil and butter
-Add your milk little by little and keep whisking
-When the consistence of your mix looks like pancake batter, it’s done!
-To finish add your beer (optional) -Let it rest at least 2 hours in your fridge.
Tip: prepare the batter the day before you use it.  
Tips & tricks: To make sure you don’t get any lumps don’t mix with too much flour at the same time. If there still are lumps pass through a thin sieve.  

Cooking: Again, crepes are not pancakes! You don’t want it to be thick and heavy, so don’t pour too much batter in your pan.

• First coat your pan with some oil on a paper towel
• Heat the pan over medium-high heat
• Use a ladle to pour batter in your pan, and turn it to spread the batter all over it.

• This is where you need to pour only the right amount of batter to obtain a thin, light beautiful crepe!

• Once the sides of the crepe start peeling off, turn the crepe to get a nice brown/gold colour

• Use your juggling skills and try to make the crepe jump to turn it over!

• As soon as you manage to catch your jumping crepe and it has turned over, put all the ingredients you like on it!

A French classic is “Jambon cru, fromage, oeuf” meaning prosciutto & melted cheese with an egg (cooked on the side)! Or Nutella with sliced banana for dessert! There is no limit to your imagination when it comes to crepes! We sometimes even mix our favourite traditional recipes with crepes. So it goes for “Tartiflette” for example, this very rich dish from the mountains: pancetta with potatoes baked in cream, onions & melted reblochon… Delicious!  

Here are some other (healthier) ideas: Smoked salmon with cauliflower puree & chives topped with lemon juice Diced tomatoes, baba ganoush (“eggplant caviar” in French) & goat cheese Oranges supremes (segments) with caramel and blazed grand marnier Simply sugar with lemon juice. A touch of vanilla is optional, but a great bonus.

ENJOY!

 To take it further:   Want to impress your loved ones with wonderful Chef-grade menus? “Chef Up!” offers group cooking classes with a French Chef who’ll show you how to cook up a storm! No pressure, classes are all level friendly. It’s all about having a great time together (and a drink or two) while learning Chef’s tips & tricks and making an amazing dinner for you and the ones you love! Forget about restaurants, next dinner party YOU’ll get the congratulations because YOU ARE THE CHEF!  

And for all your events, private or corporate, “Chef Up!” offers original catering & group activity in Sydney! Whether it’s a Masterchef team building, a hen party or a kid’s birthday, we’ve got you! We even have some exceptional venues available such as Wild Life Sydney Zoo ou Sea Life Sydney Aquarium. So don’t hesitate, give us a call or an email!

We’ll take care of the rest!

Hi Sydney Foodies! Chef Up!’s talented French Chef Xavier will make his debut on television this week end! After working at the Aria Group and in Michelin stars restaurant in Paris, he will be showcased on TVSN this Sunday 21st of September at 5pm, demonstrating how to easily decorate a plate like a true French Chef! He was prestigiously chosen for this demonstration by the elite utensil company Decospoon, to showcase the proper use of their amazing culinary accessories. He will be wearing the Chef Up! colours with pride and will give you a taste of all the beautiful things he could teach you in our At-home Cooking Classes, including Chef’s secret tips and tricks! Our cookery classes and workshops are also available for groups, companies (team building), schools, and for events such as kids’ birthdays, hens parties, friends nights, family reunions etc… all of which can be accommodated at incredible venues such as Wild Life Sydney Zoo or Sea Life Sydney Aquarium (Darling Harbour)! We are also catering fresh original food for all other types of events. Give us a call or visit our website www.chefup.com.au to find out more! We’ll take care of the rest!