The Gourmandise School

It’s Farmers Market Wednesday! The Santa Monica Farmers Market City of Santa Monica Farmers Markets is FULL of seasonal summer finds and so much inspiration for all types of recipes! 🫑🍓🥬

Today we this weekend’s upcoming classes, including Jams, Preserves, and Pickles, Sushi 101, and Mediterranean Small Plates 🍽️

Come learn to cook and bake with farm fresh ingredients from vendors we love! Full class calendar available via our

Simple syrup is one of the most useful ingredients you can keep on hand, and it couldn’t be easier to make! Customize your own version with fresh herbs, vanilla bean, citrus peel, lavender, rosemary, and more 🌿 🍋🪻

Instructions:
1) Combine equal parts sugar and water (by weight or volume)
2) Bring to a full rolling boil
3) Add desired flavorings. We used mint from tamaifamilyfarms + vanilla beans 
4) Remove from heat and steep for 15–30 minutes
5) Strain and transfer to a clean jar
6) Store and use as needed in drinks and recipes

In just a few “simple” steps 😉, you’ll have a versatile syrup ready for cocktails, mocktails, iced tea, coffee, desserts, and beyond!

Summer camp season is upon us! 🥰☀️🍒🥑 We’re so excited to have new and returning students join us for our week long camps filled with delicious recipes, hands-on learning, and teamwork! We kicked off the day with balloons, pastries for the team, and good energy 🥐🎈🌟 Will we be seeing you this summer??

PS: The remaining spots are going FAST! Register today via our 🥒🍊🔪🫐🌿

The perfect burger starts with exceptional beef! Follow along as Chef Boby Boby Pradachith makes The Perfect Burger from our Technique: Beef class using StarWalker Organic Farm’s Ancestral Blend Ground Beef 🌱🥩🌎

We use StarWalker’s Regenerative Organic Certified, grass-fed & grass-finished beef in our Technique: Beef class to ensure students learn how to cook with the highest quality, nutrient dense meat.

Why does regenerative farming matter? Healthy soil = healthier food and a healthier planet. The future of food is in all of our hands, and even small choices can make a big difference! Check out their page StarWalker Organic Farms to learn more ⭐️

It’s our favorite day of the week… Farmers Market Wednesday 🥰🥑🍊 follow along for our haul, updates, and a Jack Sparrow sighting!

Today we shopped for lots of exciting upcoming classes, including:
Knife Skills 🔪
Traditional Greek 🇬🇷
Sushi Private Party (new menu!!!) 🍣
French Tarts 🇫🇷
Cooking from Bestia 🐟🌿

Come learn to cook and bake with farm fresh ingredients from vendors we love ❤️

We also have our NEW FARMERS MARKET TOUR & CLASS with Chef happening THIS SATURDAY! Come learn how to shop seasonally, meet local farmers, and make a delicious lunch with your finds! 🥒🥬🫐☀️🛒

Can’t wait to see you all this summer! 🥰🌸🍒

Join Chef Tracy on Saturday, June 20th for our BRIOCHE & BABKA class! 🤎💫🍞⏱️

Students will learn how to make classic brioche bread and nanterre (rolls), babka (braided brioche bread with a chocolatey filling), maritozzi (sweet brioche buns stuffed with lightened whipped cream), and bostock (brioche slice baked with almond frangipane)... plus everyone will take their own brioche dough with them to make more at home!

We can’t wait to see you 🥰

🤎 Saturday, June 20th
⏰ 9:30am - 1:30pm
🎟️ $145 per person
📍 Santa Monica

Focaccia is one of the best breads to start with if you’re new to baking! 🍞🌿 It requires just a handful of ingredients, some patience, and a few simple techniques that will build your confidence with bread making.

In this recipe, Chef Tracy uses Sonora flour from for an especially light, pillowy texture. Follow along as she explains every step from mixing and folding to dimpling and baking. The result is a focaccia with a crisp, golden crust, a soft interior, and plenty of flavor from fresh herbs and olive oil!

If you’ve been wanting to try making bread at home, this is a great place to begin. Here are a few helpful tips:
☀️ Proof the dough in a warm environment to encourage a strong rise
🌿 Coat fresh herbs in olive oil before adding them to the dough to help prevent burning during baking
⏱️ Bake the focaccia on the bottom rack of the oven for a well-cooked, golden crust
💨 Cool the bread on a wire rack so the bottom stays crisp instead of becoming soggy