Learn to Cook with Chris Keenan
Chris Keenan has been synonymous with good food in Swansea for more years than he cares to remember. So many restaurants, have, under his direction been transformed from mediocre eateries into fine dining establishments. And now everyone can benefit from his vast experience by attending an entertaining Chris Keenan cookery theatre. I went along to the first class held in a beautiful farmhouse just outside Upper Killay where in the huge farmhouse kitchen Chris works his magic.
The menu on this particular evening started with a pre-starter of a delicious pea and ham soup served in demi-tasse cups. Thick and savoury this was a wonderful preview of what was to come.
Our starter was to be a warm salad of scallops with samphire and orange. The scallops were huge and Chris entered the coral debate: with or without? Chris was firmly in the without camp – he suggested leaving in a warm oven overnight until hard and then grating over seafood sauces or salads.
We then moved onto the main course, pan fried pork fillet with a cream and mustard mash with apple, asparagus, carrot batons and creamy mashed potato. Chris is a very unusual guy in having the ability to multi-task – cooking and talking! Every step of the process was explained in great detail – stopping to show the audience every stage of the cream sauce from the onions – just translucent but not coloured – to the addition of the grainy mustard.
Finally we had fresh berries with clotted cream and caramel – the berries had been macerated in a little liqueur and the caramel made by gently heating granulated sugar over a low heat until golden brown. So simple and yet so delicious.
Chris was ably assisted by his lovely wife of 34 years - Lynda, who described herself as the ‘kitchen porter’. She does herself a disservice – they make a great team – at times bordering on a comedy act as only a husband and wife can!
The evening is suitable for keen cooks or those that just enjoy food. Be warned – don’t eat before you go as you will in effect have a full three course meal – the tasting portions are very, very generous. Sparkling wine on arrival and a glass of wine with the main course completes the deal.
The cookery theatre classes are now a regular event and you can book them by calling Chris on 07789352208 or visit him online.
