Summary: Stir Crazy Cooking School in the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town shares five practical kitchen tricks designed to make everyday cooking easier, from keeping a chopping board steady to getting more juice from citrus. The tips also offer a taste of the practical approach guests can explore through their cooking classes on offer every week.
Good cooking is often about the little things, and Stir Crazy Cooking School has five handy kitchen tricks worth keeping close at hand.
The tips cover simple techniques that can make food preparation easier and help improve the results in the kitchen.
These five tips offer useful reminders for home cooks, while Stir Crazy Cooking School provides an opportunity to learn even more about cooking through its classes.
1. Stop the slip
A chopping board that slides around is nobody’s idea of helpful kitchen equipment. Placing a damp cloth underneath the chopping board helps keep it steady while chopping.
2. Get more juice
Before squeezing lemons or limes, roll them firmly on the counter. It is a simple step that can help get more juice from the fruit.
3. Save your pasta water
That cloudy pot of pasta water has a purpose. A splash can help your sauce cling to the pasta, making it worth saving some before draining.
4. Don’t overcrowd the pan
Give food some space in the pan if the goal is to get it golden rather than steamed. Overcrowding can work against that desired finish.
5. Let it rest
Once meat is cooked, give it a few minutes to rest before slicing. This helps it stay juicy when it is time to serve.
Upcoming Cooking Classes at Stir Crazy
- 17 September, 18:00: South-East Asian – A flavour-packed class covering cuisines and ingredients from across the region, including Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian and more. The class is currently listed at R895.
- 18 September, 18:00: Chef’s Dinner – A special evening centred around a chef-led dining experience.
- 19 September, 18:00: Date Night Jul–Sep – A couples cooking experience where partners prepare a three-course meal together. The current price is R1,599 per couple.
- 21 September, 18:00: South African Cooking Safari – A celebration of local flavours and dishes.
- 22 September, 18:00: Simply Sushi – A hands-on introduction to sushi-making.
- 23 September, 18:00: Moroccan Magic – North African-inspired cooking with aromatic spices and bold flavours.
- 24 September, 18:00: Exploring Spanish Delicacies – Spanish-inspired dishes and cooking techniques.
- 25 September, 18:00: Vietnam & Cambodia – A journey through the flavours of two Southeast Asian cuisines.
- 26 September, 18:00: A Compass of Indian Cuisine – An exploration of Indian flavours, spices and cooking traditions.
- 27–28 September: Artisan Breads, a two-day course.
- 29 September, 18:00: ¡Ola Mexico!
- 30 September, 18:00: International Street Food – featuring dishes inspired by street food from around the world.
- 30 September, 18:00: Starters & Tapas is also listed on the calendar.
- 1 October: Plating & Presentation, a full-day session.
- 1 October, 18:00: Cocktails & Canapés.
- 1 October, 18:00: Authentic Italian Cooking.
- 2 October, 18:00: Date Night Oct–Dec begins the next quarterly menu.
Stir Crazy Cooking School, also known as Stir Crazy Culinary Theatre, is located at 14 West Quay Road, Pierhead District, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town. You can find their schedule of upcoming cooking classes here.
Quick details
- Cooking school: Stir Crazy Cooking School
- Location: 14 West Quay Road, Pierhead District, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
- Focus: Practical cooking tips and cooking classes
- Featured tips: Chopping boards, citrus, pasta water, pan space and resting meat
- Contact: info@stircrazycooking.co.za
- Phone: +27 21 501 0695
FAQs
What are the five Stir Crazy kitchen tricks?
They cover keeping a chopping board steady, getting more juice from lemons and limes, saving pasta water, avoiding overcrowding the pan and resting cooked meat before slicing.
How can a chopping board be kept steady?
Place a damp cloth underneath the chopping board.
How can more juice be obtained from lemons and limes?
Roll them firmly on the counter before squeezing.
Why should pasta water be saved?
A splash of pasta water can help sauce cling to the pasta.
Where is Stir Crazy Cooking School?
It is located at 14 West Quay Road, Pierhead District, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town.
