Hey there Mommies! I hope you had an awesome and well-spent Mother’s Day. I just did 🙂 I was even given the privilege to join the Mother’s Day Baking Class at The Maya Kitchen in Makati last May 10. I have learned how to make Egg Tarts, Red Velvet Cakes and Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownie Cupcakes. Just typing all of these recipes make my mouth water!
It was my first ever baking class and I was so thrilled to be taught by the seasoned chefs of a very established and most famous culinary school here in the Philippines. Chef Elvie Ibale, one of the teacher chefs at The Maya Kitchen, demonstrated to our small group of 8 baking enthusiasts how each delicacy is made from scratch. The star of each recipe is their very own MAYA All-Purpose Flour. For the cupcakes, the MAYA Fudge Brownie Mix was used in addition to the all-purpose flour. Chef Rory Subida, Culinary Directress and Manager of The Maya Kitchen Culinary Arts Center Manila, was also there to give invaluable tips that I would not have learned had I not joined the baking class that day.
Chef Rory, Interns Mitch and Shiela, Chef Elvie
The whole time, I was taking notes on the recipe handout (provided at the lobby) and capturing the demo on my digicam. Later on, I would like to refer on the notes and photos that I have taken which I believe would improve my very-basic kitchen know-how. I have also noticed the need for precision and accuracy in baking when it comes to measuring and mixing all the ingredients. Chef Elvie furthered that in baking, whatever mistake that you made while preparing and mixing the ingredients will affect your final output and sadly, there is nothing that you can do to improve it. Baking is truly both an art and science in itself.
Chef Elvie explains the impact of accurate measurement of ingredients and proper mixing in baking.
Chef Elvie and Mitch prepares the egg tart filling while waiting for the dough to rise (covered in aluminum bowl). She also showed us the varying sizes of molds for the crust.
Chef Elvie’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownie Cupcakes, Egg Tart and Red Velvet Cake
After watching how each recipe was made, Chef Elvie divided us into two groups for the workshop. Each group will make Red Velvet Cupcakes and Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownie Cupcakes. We were all given Maya aprons and ushered inside the kitchen. The moment I stepped inside, I felt like I was joining the Master Chef competition on TV! A girl can dream, right? Everything in the kitchen is spic and span. It smells clean and everything is in order. Since there are 4 of us in the group, we decided to split with the recipe. Jazzy and I took over the Red Velvet Cake and made 4 pans out of the ingredients. Maricho and her Japanese husband, Katsunori, worked on the Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownie Cupcakes. They were able to produce 14 chunky and yummy cupcakes.
The very neat and orderly Maya kitchen!
The ingredients of Red Velvet Cake have been prepared for us.
Chef Elvie looks on to ensure that we are doing it right.
After both groups have finished with the workshop, we returned to our seats so Chef Elvie could teach us how to create an icing and a simple decoration on the Red Velvet Cake that she made during the demo.
Chef Elvie covered the cake in cream cheese frosting and added red velvet cake crumbs as a finishing touch.
It took time for our goodies to bake and it was already past lunch time so Chef Rory and Chef Elvie helped us pack our yummy treats and told us to just decorate our lovely cakes at home. After exchanging warm Mother’s Day greetings, we left the class fulfilled and happy with what we have made.
My little food critic examining the chocolate chip cookie brownie cupcake
I had fun decorating our Red Velvet Cake at home!
It was a wonderful day of learning from the pros and making new friends! Taking part in one of the classes of The Maya Kitchen is certainly a good investment, a great gift that you can give to yourself or to that special someone who simply loves getting busy in the kitchen. Visit The Maya Kitchen website today and check out their lineup of classes for the month of May and June. You will surely find one that suits your interest. You may also drop by the center during Tuesdays to Saturdays. Take note of their contact details below.
The Maya Kitchen Culinary Center
8/FÂ Liberty Building
835 A. Arnaiz Avenue (Pasay Road), Makati City
Call at: 8921185 / 892-5011 local 108 / Mobile No. +63947 835 2290
Email at: contactus@themayakitchen.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mayakitchen