Topic: Cooking Lessons with Az

[jb]

One thing I forgot to mention is the fact that with my lessons with Abdul I had to provide all of the ingredients myself;meat,spices,pastes,veg etc(which I may add was not a problem).Seems to me this 60 pounds includes ingredients as well as the expertise of  BIR chef.It may or may not produce a breakthrough but I can honestly say that after having someone actually show me BIR  personally my curries improved greatly.Like I said to me a chance too good to miss.

[Ramirez]

Guys, it would be really good if we could focus on the merits of this. If you think it is too expensive, that's fine, but let's not drown the thread with a debate/argument about the costs or how worthwhile it is. I don't think anyone would want Chris to feel his efforts are unappreciated, so let's try and keep this thread upbeat and positive.

Judging by the people that have signed-up to this, I don't think anyone will be expecting a breakthrough - I think most have been doing this for too long for there to be any major breakthrough. What I am hoping for is some real insight into the methodology/life-cycle of a real BIR that we know outputs quality food, which in turn, hopefully refines my ability to produce quality dishes.

Chris - would Az be willing to have photos and videos taken? I would be really good to document things and share as much as we can with the forum.

Keep us posted Chris!

[chriswg]

Hi All

Thanks for so many responses. To answer one question, the food is excellent. This is our number 1 takeaway and now restaurant. As a massive curryhead I have tried everywhere in a 5 mile radius (excluding Farnham for some reason) and this place has been our favourite for a couple of years - well before I knew Az.

I'm sure pics and videos would be okay but I'll check. He's never had a problem with it before.

So far it looks like we have a group of 6 for the 29th January:

Curryhell
Natterjak
JB
Ramirez
Solar
976Bar

Then a bit later in the year:

Razer
Bamble
Phil(Cha006)

Maybe we should aim for the 1st Sunday of each month. So excluding Feb the next one would be on 4th March.

I'm trying to call him to confirm the date but he isn't answering at the moment. As soon as he does I'll let you guys know.

[natterjak]

Hi All

Thanks for so many responses. To answer one question, the food is excellent. This is our number 1 takeaway and now restaurant. As a massive curryhead I have tried everywhere in a 5 mile radius (excluding Farnham for some reason) and this place has been our favourite for a couple of years - well before I knew Az.

The other thing I would add to this, having met Az at the BBQ, is that he has the communication skills to be able to pass on his knowledge. I know from some videos from BIR kitchens that the chefs don't always have English as their first language, but this won't be an issue. I think he'll be an excellent teacher.

Curryhell
Natterjak
JB
Ramirez
Solar
976Bar
.

The dream team!

[jb]

Many thanks Chriswg really looking forward to it and to meeting some fellow Curry-heads at last.

[chriswg]

Just spoke to Az and the 29th is fine. His only stipulation was an 11am start as he usually works until 3am on Saturday night

Everyone book the date in your diaries and start thinking about what questions you need answering

I'm hoping we can cover everything in the 4 hours. I'm sure no one will complain if we go a bit over time.

[curryhell]

In my diary.  Looking forward to it immensely.  There's no telling what we're going to learn.  It may relate to base ingredients or spice mix, techniques, who knows?  We may have a breakthrough, we could pick up some golden nuggets of info, we could learn the areas where our technique needs to improve.  Whatever we learn, even if we only confirm we're doing everything right (like hell ;D) it will be  a very worthwhile experience and well worth

[jb]

I'm really looking forward to this.Chriswg I don't know how you've befriended this guy and persuaded him to let us in his kitchen but well done.I have so many questions I think we're going to be there all day!! His menu looks very nice.I noticed he does chicken tawa,my local does this(spices) hopefully he'll answer a few questions about it.If he would allow us to bring cameras that would be nice.The itinerary looks good,especially the tikka,tandoori naan etc section for obvious reasons!!I'm still pestering my local for some lessons,I was in there last night and I think they may be coming round to the idea so watch this space!! By the way the wife thinks I'm bonkers(or obsessed) having more lessons...tandoori oven,new spice grinder,new curry pan from Julian(which is very good by the way) oh and another book called Prashaad-cooking with Indian Masters...like I needed another curry book!!

[curryhell]

I'm really looking forward to this.Chriswg I don't know how you've befriended this guy and persuaded him to let us in his kitchen but well done.I have so many questions I think we're going to be there all day!! His menu looks very nice.I noticed he does chicken tawa,my local does this(spices) hopefully he'll answer a few questions about it.If he would allow us to bring cameras that would be nice.The itinerary looks good,especially the tikka,tandoori naan etc section for obvious reasons!!I'm still pestering my local for some lessons,I was in there last night and I think they may be coming round to the idea so watch this space!! By the way the wife thinks I'm bonkers(or obsessed) having more lessons...tandoori oven,new spice grinder,new curry pan from Julian(which is very good by the way) oh and another book called Prashaad-cooking with Indian Masters...like I needed another curry book!!

So you are trying to talk Spice into giving you some lessons eh jb.   Keep me posted on how this develops.  I hope to get in there soon for an NIS and one to take away for comparison purposes ;D. Looking forward to  Sunday fortnight myself and i hope to get to Abdul's sometime soon.

[parker21]

hi guys you might be interested in this to compare with CH's suggestion. god how long have i been here
this was in the early days, but we all learn by our mistakes( pat chapman just cash in on ours PMSL!
njoy then get hold of CH to book this up....! lesson then eat checkout  cinnamon spice those of you in kent may have heard the radio advert, Phil?

regards
gary
ps try this link LOL

http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=333.0