Hey there, fellow craft enthusiasts! Robert Kline here, ready to share a slice of my life and a taste of Bavaria! You know how much I love rolling up my sleeves and diving into a good hands-on project, and recently, I had the pleasure of attending a truly immersive experience: an Oktoberfest cooking class at the renowned Hot Stove Society in Seattle.
Now, I wasn’t alone in this adventure. My daughter, Alex, a self-proclaimed “punk rock princess,” decided to join me. Let’s just say her costume choice of “Sheena the punk rocker” raised a few eyebrows among our fellow classmates! It was all in good fun, though, and her vibrant energy added a unique twist to the whole experience.
A Feast for the Senses at Hot Stove Society
Hot Stove Society
The inviting atmosphere of Hot Stove Society, ready for culinary creativity.
From the moment we stepped into the Hot Stove Society, we were greeted with warmth and a contagious enthusiasm for all things food. It felt like stepping into a friend’s home, complete with a sprawling dream kitchen equipped for culinary magic. Our guides for this delicious journey were the incredible Bridget Charters, the director of Hot Stove Society, and the esteemed Chef Charles Ramseyer, whose culinary resume boasts the likes of Ray’s Boathouse and Seattle’s Alexis Hotel.
Unveiling the Art of Bavarian Cuisine
The air filled with the tantalizing aroma of spices and baking bread as Chef Ramseyer, a native of Switzerland with an impressive background in European cuisine, led us through a demonstration of German and Swiss-German specialties.
Raclette: Melted Cheese Nirvana
chefwithraclette
Chef Charles skillfully presenting the Raclette, a dish that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.
We started with Raclette, a dish that’s as interactive as it is delicious. Imagine a giant wheel of semi-firm cow’s milk cheese, slowly melting, ready to be scraped onto a plate of boiled potatoes. It’s a communal experience, a celebration of simple ingredients transformed into pure cheesy bliss.
Bavarian Pretzels: A Twist of Tradition
rolling out pretzel dough
Chef Charles and Bridget guiding us through the art of pretzel making. It’s all about that perfect twist!
Next, we delved into the world of Bavarian pretzels. Did you know that the secret to their signature sheen is a quick bath in food-grade lye before baking? Don’t worry, we opted for a baking soda solution for a matte finish, but the aroma that filled the room was pure pretzel perfection!
Twisting the pretzel
Mastering the pretzel twist – a skill that’s both satisfying and delicious!
Wiener Schnitzel: A Culinary Journey
SCHNITZEL
The star of the show: Wiener Schnitzel, crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.
No Oktoberfest feast is complete without Wiener Schnitzel. Chef Charles treated us to Jaegerschnitzel, a hunter’s pork cutlet draped in a rich mushroom sauce. He shared his preference for Panko breadcrumbs, which lend a delightful crunch, and encouraged us to experiment with herbs and spices to make the recipe our own.
Bratwurst: From Grind to Grill
A wheel of bratwurst!
A masterpiece of sausage making – freshly prepared bratwurst, ready for grilling.
The highlight of the class was undoubtedly the hands-on bratwurst making session. We learned the art of grinding meat, mixing in the perfect blend of spices, and carefully filling natural hog casings. While I have newfound respect for the craft of sausage making, I’ll admit, I’ll happily leave that to the professionals!
A bowl of ground sausage and the casings.
The essential components of authentic bratwurst – quality meat, natural casings, and a blend of spices.
A Toast to New Experiences
A sample of bratwurst and three mustards. Photo by Sheena
The fruits of our labor – savoring the flavors of homemade bratwurst, a true Oktoberfest treat.
As the class drew to a close, we raised our glasses (filled with delicious German beer, of course) to new experiences, culinary discoveries, and the joy of creating something with our own hands.
If you’re ever in Seattle, I highly recommend checking out the Hot Stove Society. It’s more than just a cooking class; it’s a celebration of food, community, and the art of crafting memorable experiences.
Unleash Your Inner Craft Enthusiast with Robert Kline Art
This Oktoberfest adventure reminded me of the simple joy of learning a new skill, connecting with others, and embracing creativity. And that’s what Robert Kline Art is all about. Explore our website for more inspiration, unique handcrafted gifts, and ideas to ignite your passion for crafting.