If you live in the DC area, you should have taken a cooking class at Hill’s Kitchen by now.
I know it is very know-it-ally of me, but I love telling people what to do. I like to think of myself as an alpha. So do it. Go take these classes.
Need to improve your knife skills? They can teach you. Want to learn how to make a perfect chicken? There is a class for that. Feeling more adventurous and care to learn canning and preserving? They are there for you.
In full disclosure, my friend Brock is one of the teachers there. But the thing is, I don’t think I love the classes because he is my friend. I think he is my friend because of the exact things that shine through in the classes; he is smart, hysterical and patient. He explains things without ever coming across as condescending and his passion for food and cooking is blindingly obvious. He breaks down tough concepts yet never talks down to you. As his friend, I have learned a ton just by watching him in the kitchen and chatting with him at bars; it’s a privilege. For a fee, it can be yours too.
Hill’s Kitchen didn’t ask me to write this up or buy me off or anything…I can already hear accusations of that. They are just doing great things over there and I want to shine a light on a small place providing a great service. This is what I love about cooking; just like any art, you are always evolving and learning. I am not an advanced chef by any means and am always trying to improve. I mean, really, who doesn’t want to get more awesome by the day. Improving your cooking impresses friends, makes life a bit more interesting, and in the best case scenario, can even get you laid. They can help you.
Listen to me. Really.
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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Can they teach me how to not burn EVERYTHING I TOUCH?!
Cause I could really use a little of that right now.
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Lemmonex Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:32 am
I think they could give it a damn good try.
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If I still lived down in the good ole District, I would take you up on this know-it-ally recommendation of yours in a heartbeat!
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Lemmonex Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:32 am
So sad you are not here.
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I’ve taken 4 classes there now, and they’ve all been great. Perhaps a little too great, given the startling number of canned tomatoes now living in my kitchen.
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Lemmonex Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:33 am
I know–I need a canning party stat.
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Ummm. Thank you. This is awesome and totally exactly what I’ve been looking for!!!
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Lemmonex Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:33 am
They are so fab…hope you do it.
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if they could teach me how to quickly chop and onion i would forever be indebted to their service.
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Lemmonex Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:39 am
Wait! Why didnt you ask me this weekend? You were chopping an onion. I would have showed you.
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Man, what I really want to take is a cake decorating class – because I am secretly a suburban housewife living in Virginia. Do they do things like that?
-Jenna
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Lemmonex Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:41 am
They have a cookies and pie class, but doesn’t look like they have a cake class on the schedule as of now.
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It would be quite the commute for me, but I’ll keep it in mind in case I’m ever in DC!
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Lemmonex Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Ha, yes…it is worth the trip.
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this place sounds great! what i like about it is that you know the instructor so well. there’s places like this around boston but im leery that the teachers will be kind of lame or something.
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Lemmonex Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Nope–great instructors.
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I commute through Eastern Market every day and I look at it and think that I really should take a class there. Maybe this will spur thought into action.
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Lemmonex Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:44 am
I think it is worth every penny.
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Oooh fun!! I wish I had time to take a cooking class!
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Lemmonex Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Make time!
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Great to know this. If I ever have time, I do want to take cooking lessons and recommendations are helpful. You don’t want a lousy instructor.
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Lemmonex Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:46 am
Nope, the instructor makes the class.
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yes, they were all over FOX 5 news the other morning, looked super fun. we’ve been to CulinAerie on 14th and L which was really fun too.
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Lemmonex Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Oh, I dind’t know they were on the news…great for them.
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I trust you. Thanks for the link.
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Lemmonex Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Of course. Let me know if you try it.
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HA. I would need some kind of beginner class first- you know, I still put peaches in the fridge…
BUT… I am cooking that hen up tonight, so wish me luck.
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Lemmonex Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Oh, yes…much luck. Call me if you need to.
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We need to take Brunch for the Ambitious so i can learn how to make eggs benedict. Or can you just teach me? I prefer Lexa for free.
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Lemmonex Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:50 am
I can teach you.
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You don’t by chance know of any good classes in NYC? for special ed cooking beginners?
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Lemmonex Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 10:55 am
I do not but I can ask Brock.
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My knife skills are slow and weak. I want them to look dangerous and reckless, like on TV, except, you know, actually be perfectly safe and precise. I hope they can make me a kitchen samurai.
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I’m slightly addicted to this store, plus Leah Daniels is just what a proprietor should be — knowledgeable, helpful and credible. I did an interview with her that was on thehillishome.com last week and Brock made a guest appearance while we were talking about upcoming classes for fall. He has some luscious ideas.
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lexa,
i know the woman behind hill’s kitchen (she and i both went to the same college, at different times, and i was in a book club she started). for those of you wanting more info that this wonderful recommendation, DC’s Fox station just did a profile of the store:
http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/mornings/holly_live/092809_holly_morris_hills_kitchen
wish i were still in DC to take advantage!
hope you’re doing well, lexa. i still dream of your multiple cloves of garlic chicken…
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I would give quite a bit to take a cooking class that wasn’t held at the local Hy-Vee. In the aisles, no less.
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I can barely make a grilled cheese without burning it.
No seriously.
But I love to eat well cooked meals.
Which gets expensive.
I’m asking if there is a teacher in Cleveland (and by teacher I mean miracle worker)
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Who said it first? I told you exciting things were happening at Hill’s Kitchen. Here is the Fox 5 segment so everyone can see what a class is really like.
I may get to teach or help teach a class there in how to make dog food later in the fall. I’m sure that will not be one you would sign up for given your feelings about 4-legged creatures, but I think it will be fun. Brock is really a great teacher!
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If I was still living in DC, I would go for these classes, in particular the one to improve knife skills … Ok, Ok, I’m putting the knife down and I’m backing away …
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