公民館の料理教室

The theme this time was a vegetable-filled lunch that can be made at home, and she had heard that many parent-child pairs would participate.

When she arrived at the venue, only half of the ingredient baskets were lined up on the tables.

Ms. Sato, who was in charge, said that because the delivery was a little late, she wanted Aya to prepare the reception area first.

Aya lined up the name tags and participant list on the desk, and Yui went around placing hand-wiping paper on each table.

When they opened the box that arrived after that, they found there were enough potatoes and carrots, but fewer onions than expected.

Ms. Sato counted the number of people again and changed the explanation so that each group would use half at a time.

When explaining the recipe at the beginning, Aya spoke in a slightly loud voice so that the people in the back could hear too.

When the cooking started, the children gathered at the front because they wanted to use the knives, and the adults watched a little worriedly.

So Ms. Sato suggested separating the people who cut from the people who carry ingredients, and taking turns in order.

When they used that method, the waiting time became shorter, and the inside of the kitchen also became easier to move around in than before.

In one group, the heat was too strong, and the bottom of the pot got a little scorched.

But another participant who was nearby taught them that if they added a little water, it would be okay.

Hearing that advice, Aya understood that they did not have to hurriedly remake everything, and she felt relieved.

When the smell of the food spread, even the people who had not eaten yet started saying, “I want to eat soon.”

Before eating, Ms. Sato explained that if you cut the vegetables small, the flavor blends in more easily, and that at home you can add meat too.

While taking notes, Aya thought it was interesting that even the same dish can be changed to match one’s family.

When it became time to eat, even the parent-child pairs who had been nervous at first were eating while happily exchanging impressions.

When one elementary-school student said, “At home I leave green peppers, but today I was able to eat them,” everyone applauded.

At cleanup time, the place to stack the used plates was hard to understand, and people ended up gathering in front of the sink.

So Aya wrote in big letters on paper “before washing” and “after washing,” and stuck it up in front of the baskets.

Then the flow immediately became better, and the cleanup finished earlier than planned.

At the end, Ms. Sato said, “Even if there are many people, if you stay calm and make adjustments, a class can run well.”

Aya thought that what had been most useful today might have been, more than cooking knowledge, looking around and moving right away.

On the way home, she decided in her heart that next time she helps, she will prepare extra guidance signs from the start.