Central Market Cooking Class

Sometimes, it feels good to think that you're in on a little secret.

Like watching a little-known film, and feeling that it spoke just to you.

Or discovering a new artist before anyone else has.

For years, I have shopped at the remarkable Central Market on Broadway, totally unaware that there was a third floor.

Now I know, and I'm going to let you in on the secret.

Ok, it's not really a secret. But, I don't think it's widely known outside of the Alamo Heights set.

Near the registers, there is a plain stairway, leading to offices for Central Market Associates. It is obvious that the public doesn't generally go up there - it is more confined and more dingy than the spacious downstairs. An employee had to direct me to another stairway past that second level to reach my destination.

When I arrived on the third floor, I knew that I was somewhere special. The hallway was lined with bouquets and gift baskets, recently assembled, and waiting for their debut on the shopping floor. They were full of color and life and treats. But, that wasn't where I was ultimately heading.

I walked past the display to an area that had little lunch tables in a big, bright space. Nearby was a sign-in desk - just what I was looking for.

I had arrived for my first Central Market Cooking Class.

I didn't know what to expect. In fact, I've never taken any kind of cooking class. I just learned to cook at the side of my mother, and under the tutelage of my patient husband, who endured some not-so delicious meals as I experimented with this and that.

I think he was looking forward to me taking the class.

I signed up for this particular one, because they were focusing on Turkish cooking. A big fan of ancient history and Middle Eastern culture, Rob and I honeymooned nearly 12 years ago in Turkey, and have always wanted to return. Four kids later, that's a pricey aspiration, so I was happy to spend $55 and recreate the trip in 2 1/2 hours on Broadway, two stories above the best grocery store in town.

The cooking class room was like a dream. To my left was a giant wall of windows that overlooked the store's produce and wine sections. If that doesn't get you in the mood for cooking and creativity, I don't know what would.

In the middle were two long rows of tables - enough to seat about 20 people. Small enough to make it intimate. To my right is where the magic happened. A fully-stocked kitchen complete with a six burner gas stovetop, preparation tables, a wall full of accessories, and best of all - bowls full of prep work, already completed.

Above us was a large, angled mirror, so that from any seat, you could have a bird's eye view of what the chef was doing. To the either side of the kitchen, there were television sets that were focused, respectively, on the stovetop and the countertop.

I had what might have been considered the worst seat in the house, and yet my visibility was still excellent.

I felt like I was on the set of a Food Network show.

The class started on time, which was a good thing, because there was lots on our agenda - Turkish Rose Ravioli, Turkish delight, hummus, walnut-stuffed figs, and strong coffee.

You can't say that Central Market doesn't go for authenticity. The instructor was a charming woman named Ozlem, who was raised in Ankara and Istanbul. Her warmth and enthusiasm for sharing her culture immediately brought me back to the wonderful times we had visiting her country - the crossroads of East and West, situated on both Europe and Asia.

Ozlem passionately rolled out fillo dough, lovingly rolled lamb, parsley, and onion into cigar shapes, expertly frothed coffee, and enthusiastically prepared our dessert.

I think my favorite discovery is that I like figs. She taught us to make a syrup of water, sugar, and cloves, and soak walnut-stuffed dried figs in them. Then, she served them with a dollop of marscapone cheese, and garnished it with ground pistachios.

Ozlem also wove Turkish geography and history into her presentation, giving well-rounded instruction on the culture, beyond just the food.

I could go on and on about this particular class, but considering that she is moving to London in April, this one won't be available any longer.

So, let me tell you what you can expect from any Central Market cooking class.

You will have a qualified, authentic instructor. You will receive handouts with the recipes and a glossary of terms. You will be served by assistants as if you were at a restaurant, and given tea, water, and samples of everything that is cooked. You will forget about everything outside of that little room for hours, and be immersed in the art of cooking.

If you go often enough, you may find camaraderie with the other students, but this not really a social venue.

Upon paying for the class, you receive a punch card. After ten visits, you will receive $40 off of your next class. Alternatively, if you volunteer twice to be a server and assistant, you will receive a $40 credit off of a future class.

I left the class with a full stomach and a happy heart. I found that there was a shower in the restroom, and I thought that maybe, just maybe, I could talk them into letting me move in. It would certainly be a lovely home for a foodie.

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Central Market
4821 Broadway
San Antonio, TX 78209
210-368-8600
Visit the Central Market Website!

(Note: If you are on the Central Market mailing list, you will receive great coupons in the mail and information about upcoming classes. Not all of the classes are mailed out - for a complete list, visit the website.)