Three ways to improve your skills in the kitchen for 2012

Everyone has at least one signature dish: a simple spaghetti dish for dinner, a nice Sunday roast, or savoury homemade burgers are all staples of many Irish kitchens, and, as creatures of habit, practice makes perfect, so we tend to cook the same things week in, week out!

With strange resolutions out the door by now (how did that 7 gym visits a week membership go?), have you ever thought about doing something a little different with your spare time, and expanding your repertoire in the kitchen? We’ve done numerous pieces on new and upcoming food and drink classes, and we thought we'd let you know about three more great cookery class options around Ireland, to improve your culinary art in 2012!

Margaret, owner at the aptly named UmNumNum boutique cookery school in Ballincollig, Co. Cork has a busy 2012 ahead. Her popular cookery classes have really taken off, and the first few months of the year sees special classes like cupcake making, Indian Banquet preperation, and Cooking For Families, (a special “how to” course for those with a busy lifestyle and an even busier family) on the cards. If you fancy a taste of Sicily, perhaps the Italian Feast course in March is for you, or if you manage to make it a through a fat free January, then perhaps reward yourself with a place on an Easy and Delicious Desserts evening? Another interesting addition to the UnNumNum schedule is the men only cooking course, which has proven to be so popular with the less fairer sex that it has sold out. If you’re interested in any of these, be sure to subscribe to Margaret’s newsletter and see here for further info.

A real Irish coffee success story, 3FE now have two outlets in the city, one on Middle Abbey Street, and one on Grand Canal Street, with plans to open a new standalone school too. The staff, including owner Colin Harmon, are true coffee lovers and talented baristas who pour their heart into the fine art (pardon the pun!), and they offer regular classes where you can improve your coffee making skills. Classes are very frequent (generally weekly) as they become more and more popular, limited to a small group so participants can get the most out of them, and are generally at weekends. They cost around €25 per person including lunch, treats and a bag of coffee to take home, and focus on a range of coffee skills, from home brewing to espresso making and much more. Now is your opportunity to put that Christmas present of a French press to work, so be sure to keep an eye on their Facebook and Twitter for weekly updates.

Craft butchery is much in demand, as the nation realises that getting your meat from a local butcher is far more cost effective, tasty and reliable than a large supermarket. Leading this revolution is Pat Whelan, a Tipperary butcher who has developed a booming online store and an impressive new luxury butcher store in Avoca, Monkstown. Pat is also developing a range of evening courses aimed at teaching you all about meat, where it comes from, how and when it is used and also a range of basic butchery skills. Pupils will get in-depth insight into the techniques of cutting beef, lamb, pork and bacon, and places are limited to small numbers. Classes are mainly held in Clonmel, and cost €99 per person, with private bookings available too. See here for more.

If none of the above tickle your fancy, how about a beer tasting course? We've talked about the brilliant Carlyle Institute courses before, and there are still places left on certain evenings. See here for booking info, and whatever you decide, make 2012 the year to get the most out of your time in the kitchen!