I was lucky enough to be invited along to join in one of the ICE cookery classes. Now, I know some of you may be thinking ‘what is ICE?’ It stands for ‘Infusions Culinary Experience’ but, to you and I, it is essentially a place for anyone who has an interest in food or cooking. Tucked away on Rougham Industrial Estate, I was incredibly impressed with what I found when I visited…
I was greeted in their excellent cookware shop, where you can purchase all sorts of amazing ingredients and tools, by a lovely lady and met the other course participants. At this point, I was slightly worried as they were all professional caterers! Now, although keen, I am by no means a pro!! I cook for my family and host the odd dinner party, but that is the extent of my culinary skills!!
I went along without a clue of how to cook a macaron and, if I’m honest, I half expected to make the coconutty treat – MACAROONS! I then met John who is the business owner and Baz who is one of the development chefs. John showed us around and it was hard to believe I was in a unit on Rougham industrial Estate! I felt as though I had walked on to the set of ‘Masterchef’ or ‘The Great British Bake Off’! Everything was clean, shiny, new and beautifully decorated. We were showed to our work stations and offered tea/coffee/cold drinks. In my mind, I expected that I would be given a recipe and told to get on with it with some direction if needed. This was not the case! John stood with us and directed every stage and detail of the process. For me – it meant that it actually stuck. Baz was on hand to help us with equipment and cleaning up when needed. I made 4 different flavoured macarons – beetroot, goats’ cheese and basil, coffee and salted caramel, raspberry and white chocolate and lemon cheesecake. Each tasted amazing and looked really quite professional, even if I do say so myself! I was slightly worried about how the beetroot and goats cheese would work in a macaron, but it just did!! At the end of what was a fun and enjoyable evening, I left with a goody bag of cooked macarons, extra ingredients to bake the next day with my children, the recipe plus lots of extra tips that John had slowly fed us throughout the course.
My overall experience was really fantastic – I am certainly planning to return to gain another new skill and can’t wait for an opening so I can join them for lunch at one of their legendary Wednesday lunches! With something to suit all, I challenge you to try something new!! It would make for a great alternative girls night, or book the man in your life on to the BBQ course. As for me, I can’t wait to try Baz’s authentic Thai class.
