Elaine is incredible. She welcomed us warmly, with a bright smile and genuine curiosity to connect with each of us. We gathered as a small, private group, to learn how to make Dumplings and had a blast. Our class was virtual and really well-done. Elaine fosters fun and dialogue throughout the class, checks-in on everyone individually to share tips and tricks, and she showcases a separate window where you can see her instruction up-close. It's been a long time since we've had so much fun on a Friday night. The dumplings were so delicious, we'll definitely think twice before ordering them out again and likely opt to make another night of it, to make them at home.
UPDATE: I had the fortune of cooking with Elaine again - this time with a new crew - we took her 4-Course Cantonese course and I learned even more in this class than the last... the basics of cooking better rice, the energy of our cooking to increase depth of flavor and the history and traditions of Cantonese style cooking! The experience was enriching and nourishing and quite simply -- delicious. Thank you, Elaine, for continue to build and foster such a wonder community through...
Read moreI highly recommend Dash of Soy. Elaine is an effective and fun teacher. She tailored the class to our learning styles—mine is hands-on, so I got to chop, knead, roll, and fold my way to a plate of finished dumplings—and shared a wealth of practical tips and cultural knowledge, along with anecdotes from her extensive travels along the Silk Road and elsewhere around the world. The kitchen space has been thoughtfully designed to encourage learning and creativity, with an open island around which students gather at work stations. I enjoyed learning both the time-saving tips and the more elaborate decorative folding styles that require more skill and practice. Elaine did a wonderful job presenting a seemingly complicated recipe in a simple, accessible way, both in her verbal explanations and her step-by-step illustrated recipe—a delightful work of art that even my co-chef at home, my 5-year-old son, can easily follow. Cooking can sometimes feel like a chore (especially on a rushed weeknight) but this class reminded me of the joy of cooking fresh, flavorful food...
Read moreMy team and I did a virtual dumpling class with Elaine to celebrate some team members' birthdays. We are spread across two US states and two countries and Elaine was happy to accommodate a morning class in her time zone so that our teammate in London could join at a reasonable hour. We all had an incredible time and loved our dumplings. Elaine was a clear and patient teacher and we enjoyed hearing her story of how she came to create Dash of Soy and why dumplings in particular are what spurred her to start the classes. Despite the class being over Zoom, it felt like we were in the kitchen hanging out together. This was also a great class for different dietary restrictions - Elaine shared how to make the recipe both vegetarian and gluten free and results were great for everyone. The class was involved enough to feel like we learned something but easy to follow and not at all stressful. I highly recommend Elaine and Dash of Soy and hope to take more classes...
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