San Miguel Pure Foods Culinary Center Offers Must-See Culinary Classes

They say doing a job that you love doesn’t feel like work. In the same way, when one pursues a course aligned with one’s passion, it’s hard to skip classes. You’ll want to absorb everything in -- every class feels like a chance for growth and learning, and every missed session feels like lost opportunity.

At the San Miguel Pure Foods Culinary Center (SMPFCC), former business owner Luisa de La Paz never misses a class. She finds the cooking classes diverse that there’s bound to be something for everyone. Innovative recipes and food ideas are shared and seeds of profitable ventures are planted at the center’s kitchen in Barrio Ugong, Pasig City.

In-house and guest chefs teach cuisine classes where participants learn to cook Authentic Asian, South American, or European dishes. There’s also the Business Opportunities Series (BOS) where attendees are equipped with a basic business plan. The BOS workshops are enterprise-oriented, featuring catering and canteen strategies, recipes for easy-to-sell food items like pasalubong treats, desserts, pizza, shakes and smoothies, and instructions on how to make tasty marinades. Participants who attend three consecutive BOS classes get the fourth class free.

De La Paz, who used to own a computer shop and a bakery, loves to cook and bake although she adds that her mom is even more the kitchen diva in their family. Before she learned about the classes De La Paz was already a frequent attendee of the events of San Miguel Pure Foods as an active member of the center’s My Great Food Club.

Many courses later, she still has not missed an SMPFCC class. De La Paz tries recalling the first of many classes that she has attended: “I think it was a baking class. I already went to other culinary classes but when I attended a class here, I found that it was more affordable. I learned a lot of recipes and useful tips that I never knew before. Plus, they have accommodating staff. I always make sure I never miss a class so I will always be updated.”

Cooking affords one to be adventurous, allowing the gastronomically passionate to explore some of the world’s cuisines right in the comfort of one’s kitchen.So, any favorite recipe? “Japanese… halos lahat talaga!” reveals De La Paz. “I want to learn more about Mediterranean dishes. I am looking forward to Thai cuisine also. I find them really interesting…”

Apart from personal fulfillment, one of the best things about attending culinary classes is one gets a chance to share their learnings with others: “If there are special occasions at home especially with the kids, I usually go for baked goodies. For friends and family, I try one or two main course recipes,” says De La Paz.

* For the schedule of cooking classes and other events, please log on to www.mygreatfood.com, or call 632-2000, 640-5453 and 672-8558.

Posted on April 04, 2008