Friday Night Cooking Class/ Season Finale/ Le Villa

Here we are at the end of our cooking classes for another season and I have a real treat for you this time. Rick the owner of Le Villa restaurant graciously agreed to do the Friday Night Cooking Class/ Season Finale/ LeVilla for us. The girls were taught about what it is like to cook in a restaurant kitchen. We were all thrilled to watch a professional chef in action. All three of us took a lot away from that afternoon plus very full stomachs!!

Our meal was out of this world fantastic and I can’t say more about this fine restaurant. Their food is consistently marvellous and new creative items are popping up on the menu. For example this out of the world Pan-Fried Steelhead Trout with seared scallops. They have citrus hollandaise, lobster risotto and arugula with truffle oil.

The girls were able to watch Rick prepare this dish emphasizing the importance of a very hot well-seasoned fry pan. This prevents the fish from sticking. The fish was seasoned only with sea salt and fresh pepper. It was cooked with the skin on which it turned crispy and delightful.

If you know me you know I don’t like risotto but this lobster risotto was like nothing I had before. Absolutely cooked to perfection. The girls gobbled down the meal even enjoying the arugula and truffle oil which goes perfectly with the rest of the plate. The crowning glory for them was the scallop that melted in their mouths. A fabulous meal that you must try.

MORE!!

Secondly, what do you mean there’s more!!! Rick prepared a very classic yet divinely delicious Steak, Diane. The girls again learned the importance of a very hot and well-seasoned pan. Along with a simple application of a light dredge of flour on the beef tenderloin medallions to seal in the juices.

They now got to get in closer to see all the ingredients being added to make the sauce. Like brown stock, Dijon mustard and the flaming of brandy. Whoosh!! And finally the drizzling of whipping cream that was making them lick their lips. The steak is then presented over heavenly Boursin mashed potatoes and perfectly cooked seasonal vegetables. They loved the baby turnips!!

After the girls devoured the steak with ooohs and aaahs they wanted to move onto dessert. Really??? I was stuffed but they insisted on trying a classic espresso creme brulee. They were able to watch the pastry chef transform the plain sugar into a crispy crunchy topping. After which it was decorated with whipped cream, chocolate bark, and fresh berries. Simply decadent!!

They loved every spoonful and said they had never had such a great meal. Amber asked why we couldn’t come there every night!!!

Upon asking for the bill I was shocked to find out that Rick had graciously treated us to this entire experience. We are all truly grateful and will cherish this afternoon in fine dining as one of the best experiences that FNCC has had to offer us!!

I am blessed to have this time together with the girls laughing and sharing food and look forward to the next season to see what the girls dream up for us to do. Stay tuned for more to come in the fall.

Come and dine at Le Villa located at #404, 1851 Sirocco Drive SW, Calgary, AB. For reservations call 403-217-9699. Their website is www.levilla.ca.