The Next Dark Age
We're in it Now
Department Outing
I believe I have mentioned that my Awesome Employer sets aside budget money each year for every department to have a group outing. They always involve food and generally involve an activity of some kind. This year, Lisa suggested Cook Cork & Fork, a place in Palatine that teaches groups to cook and then everyone stuffs their faces.
Groups are offered a variety of seasonal menus. Since Lisa and I are the pickiest eaters, process of elimination led us to the Italian menu. Chicken Marsala, herb risotto, grilled vegetables, and tiramisu.
I have been to several places that do cooking classes – which is weird since I really do not cook at home – and the difference with this place was that there was no Front of the Room Demo. We were split into groups and told what to do. I snagged the tiramisu. It was a job so easy that..it was like the first time I saw guacamole made table-side. That’s all there is to it? And they charge what? The most difficult thing is blending the mascarpone and cream just until it is smooth, because if you over blend, it will curdle. And that would suck. But it was so easy and people make such a big deal out of it. The lady fingers are dipped into a mixture of espresso and Kahlua and then you layer it up and put it in the refrigerator.
Then I went to watch the rest of my group. They had finished their prep and were on to cooking up the dishes.
I somehow missed taking pictures of the final products. Except for my tiramisu.
There was plenty of what I call Adult Supervision and everything turned out great. In addition to group events, Cook Cork & Fork has regularly scheduled events for individuals or small groups. They are located in Palatine and I can happily recommend them to grown ups in the Northwest suburbs looking for something to do together.
The Next Dark Age 