Experience: The Joy of Cooking Together at Taste Buds Kitchen in East Greenwich

Sometimes it feels like all there is to do during the bleak days of winter is go out for food and drinks. Although I’m always down to ditch cooking at home for a nice dinner out and craft cocktail with my significant other, I often find myself looking for a more interactive, hands-on date night. I found just that and more at Taste Buds Kitchen’s rustic Italian cooking class.

Walking into the kitchen felt like stepping on to the set of Food Network’s Chopped. Rows of glass jars filled with walnuts and sprinkles sat above canisters of sugar, flour, and other dry ingredients ready to be mixed and sifted. We found our seat at a station set with a burner and a tray of pre-measured ingredients. There, we met our new friends and cooking partners who were also ready for a fun date night.

Our instructor took her place at the front of the classroom behind the wooden-top tables, cracking jokes and reminding us there’s no saying “yes, chef” in her kitchen. She gave an overview of the night’s menu: fresh chicken parmesan, wild mushroom and truffle-oil risotto, and cannolis. A hearty, warm dinner for a cold winter night.

Preparing the ricotta filling for the cannoli was the first step, and I was ready to be covered in powdered sugar. After detailed instructions, it was time to get to work. The pressure was on as I operated the mixer, adding ricotta cheese, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and confectioner’s sugar until it whipped into a smooth, delicious batter. Next, a dash of orange zest. Everything smelled so good, we couldn’t help but sneak a taste. Once the filling was set aside to chill, it was time to move on to the chicken parmesan and risotto.

My boyfriend, our tablemates, and I took turns stirring broth into the risotto as it slowly thickened in the pan. Between turns of breading chicken, we snapped pictures and even took a group selfie to commemorate the night. Once our chicken topped with hand-grated parmesan cheese began to bubble, and the risotto reached the desired color, our instructor handed each table a stack of plates to enjoy our hard work.

The chicken was tender with a nice crunch, and the risotto – my personal favorite – was full of flavor from the combination of stock, spices, and vegetables. Of course, we all saved room for dessert. Adding chocolate chips and sprinkles to the cannolis was the sweetest touch, though it was tempting to ditch the shell and eat the filling straight from the piping bag.

As my usual role in the kitchen is limited to dish duty, I was thrilled to learn new skills, like the secret to cutting an onion without bursting into tears is avoiding the root. Chef’s hats off to our teacher, who offered helpful pointers throughout the evening and made us feel completely at ease, as if we were cooking in our own kitchens. What began as a somewhat intimidating experience, demonstrating my minimal cooking skills in a public setting, quickly transformed into one of the best date nights I’ve ever had – full of laughter, new lessons and friends, and, of course, delicious food. We left with full bellies and open minds, excited to try new culinary adventures. A second location opens soon in Providence.

Taste Buds Kitchen

5600 Post Road Suite 110, East Greenwich

885-0535; TasteBudsKitchen.com