| Chefs from top area eateries show how to prepare specialties
By JAN HOGAN
VIEW STAFF WRITER
Before Catherine Margles could open her business, she had to qualify for three operating licences. One was for a department store, another for a restaurant and the third for an education institution
Margles owns and operates Creative Cooking School, 7385 W. Sahara Ave. which opened Sept. 1.
Not only does she offer classes for the masses, she has chefs from some of Las Vegas' top restaurants come in and demonstrate the dishes for which they're known.
The first month Creative Cooking was open, Heinz Lauer of Las Vegas Club; Michael and Wendy Jordan of Rosemary's Restaurant; and Rick Giffen of Wasabi Cafe taught there.
Where many businesses experience a slow start, Creative Cooking (www.creativecookingschool.com) is skyrocketing into the business world. Margles was contacted by the Luxor, which wants to bring in one of its top chefs to give high-rollers cooking lessons.
Corporations want to rent out her facility for teamwork sessions. Convention coordinators see cooking lessons as an option for spouses who tag along to Las Vegas. The university contacted her about holding a continuing education program at Creative Cooking. Margles also has been approached about a TV cooking show.
"I'm finding this place is being used for things I never thought of," she said. "There are 5 million restaurants in this town and I'm the only cooking school listed in the yellow pages."
Her place begins with a boutique of kitchen items -- painted dishes, wine glasses, napkin holders and spoon rests. One display has all those handy kitchen gadgets that make life simpler.
Pass through the archway and the kitchen of the 2,100-square-foot facility comes into view. And what a kitchen.
A huge bowed island with a granite counter top dominates the room. Instead of using a mirror above the preparation area, Margles had overhead cameras installed. Two oversized monitors on either side of the room ensure attendees get a good view.
Classes run the gamut from the ABCs of Cooking Skills to its Master Chef series. Classes start at $75.
There also are classes for children. Youngsters first learn the rules of the kitchen, like washing their hands for 20 seconds -- the equivalent of singing the "Happy Birthday to You" song twice -- before moving on to make tic tac toe pizza and miniature quiches.
Cleanliness in the kitchen is a top priority at the school. The restaurant license required Margles learn ServSafe standards under the National Sanitation Commission. She went one better and became an instructor. The commission required her demonstration kitchen meet its standards.
"Viking wanted to give me the entire kitchen, $40,000 in equipment," she said. "It was the kind of kitchen you dream for but it wasn't certified. I couldn't accept it. But (after taking the sanitation courses) I understood why."
Margles just had her first health inspection. Her facility earned an A.
When it comes to cooking, Margles is no slouch. Her career was in the stock market, but she took advantage of her vacations to travel to Europe and train with top chefs. Sometimes they were two-day sessions. Sometimes, she spent two months in training. Her up-coming book, "Winning Chefs of Las Vegas," includes recipes from about 20 top chefs. Martha Stewart has agreed to write the introduction.
Margles' husband, Dan, who operates a number of dollar stores, is her business agent. Lisa Sherman is the resident dietitian and will be offering a class on low-fat cooking.
"These days, where fast food abounds, more and more people are unsure about what or how to cook," Sherman said. "What's unique about Catherine's place is that she offers very basic cooking classes, as well as the (experienced) cook. The school also provides an opportunity for people on medical or therapeutic diets to learn about healthy cooking techniques."
Margles said ever since she saw Julia Child on TV, she's dreamed of having a cooking school.
With the plethora of interest in her facility, Margles can dream some more. She said she'd like to see Creative Cooking Schools in major cities all across America |
