If any race lives to eat, it is the Lebanese, a nation of entrepreneurs who find any excuse to mix business with the pleasures of eating. They are an incredibly hospitable race who has a saying – when someone is in your house they are your family. It is not uncommon for invited guests to bring guests themselves.

Mezzes are the best known aspect of the Middle Eastern cuisine, and it is in fact claimed that mezzes were invented by the Lebanese, together with alfresco dining. A typical Middle-Eastern meal will consist of a number of mezzes, served together with flat bread. At a Lebanese banquet there are often over 40 mezze dishes on offer. An average family of 4-6 people typically would sit down to 3-4 dishes, placed on the table simultaneously, with bread and raw vegetables. Should additional guests partake, more dishes are added as opposed to increasing the size of existing dishes.

Two of our directors have Lebanese ancestry, and have grown up celebrating most occasions with a Lebanese banquet. This workshop will explore a variety of classic Middle Eastern mezze dishes that would be part of any Lebanese celebration. In addition we will teach you the secrets of making the perfect pita breads.

Included in the price are eats on arrival, extensive notes, and a delicious Middle Eastern mezze lunch at the end of the workshop.

The programme for the day is as follows:

• 9:00am – Tea, coffee and eats on arrival;
• 9:30am – Introduction;
• A practical hands-on demonstration on how to prepare;

Pita breads – the art of making the perfect pocket;

Baba ghanoush – aubergine dip, favourite throughout Middle East;

Hummous – chickpea dip with tahini;

Bean stew – French beans with tomato and onion sauce;

Fattoush – the most popular everyday Lebanese bread salad;

Kibbi Naye – raw lamb mixed with burghul, mint, basil, onion and spices, the Lebanese national dish;

Baklava – layered pastry with nuts and syrup;

• Sit down to enjoy the meal you have prepared.
• ± 2pm depart.

When: Sunday 1 March at 9:30am

Where: Wickefood Earth Country Cooking School, Hekpoort, just 65km from Fourways in the beautiful Magalies Valley;

Cost: R495pp, No children under 16

To book: Contact Cilla on 076 236-2345 or cilla@wickedfood.co.za (terms and conditions apply)