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Master Spanish Tapas Cooking in Berkeley with Chef Olive - Berkeley

Master Spanish Tapas Cooking in Berkeley with Chef Olive

Berkeleyeasy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

3 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for all fitness levels as this is a cooking class with no physical exertion required.

Overview

Discover the art of Spanish tapas with Chef Olive in a vibrant Berkeley cooking class. Learn to craft classic dishes like marinated cheese and bomba de patatas, paired perfectly with expert beverage tips.

Berkeley, California

Spanish Tapas with Chef Olive

Berkeley • Sun, Nov 30

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About This Adventure

Join Chef Olive at Berkeley Kitchen for a delightful three-hour tapas cooking class. Discover the art of entertaining with small plates, learn insider tips on beverage pairing, and enjoy a hands-on experience creating delicious dishes like marinated cheese and bomba de patatas. Savor your culinary creations in a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Duration

3 hours

Location

Berkeley Kitchen - 1509 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley, CA 94709.

Summary

Few people know about entertaining with tapas as well as our own Chef Olive. Having been one of the opening bartenders and owners of Cesar, he spent eight years pairing cocktails and wines with some of the best Spanish fares in the Bay Area. Tapas are a great way to entertain with ease while still making a nice array of palate pleasers. Get insider tips on everything from fun party music to bar setup and beverage pairing. Learn a variety of easy-to-prepare small plates and appetizers to entertain your guests.

  • Marinated Cheese Tapas
  • Asparagus with Saffron Aioli and Romesco
  • Bomba de Patatas stuffed with Lamb
  • Blood Orange & Almond Cake

Class Format:

Each class will begin with a lecture from the chef about the day’s theme and recipes. After this introduction, the group will break up into smaller teams, and start working on the recipes in the class menu. A snack will be served at the beginning of class, and you will be eating the dishes you make at the end of class. You are welcome to eat as much as you’d like in class, though unfortunately, our zoning permit does not allow us to have students take food home.

Health and Safety:

• Masks are optional. • COVID protocols are subject to change to reflect local and state mandates.

What to wear/bring to class:

• Close toed shoes are mandatory. High heels, open toed shoes, sandals, flip flops are NOT allowed in the kitchen. • Shoulder-length hair or longer needs to be worn back and away from your face; we have plenty of hair ties in the kitchen for you to use and keep. • Feel free to bring a favorite apron or a knife you want to practice with but know that we will supply aprons and all the tools you need for use during class.

Allergies:

Please take a look at the class menu. If you think you might be allergic to anything on the menu, please indicate it on your class registration and if you have a concern, get in touch and we can double check the ingredient list classes@kitchenonfire.com.

Wine and Beer:

We whole-heartedly invite class participants (who are 21 and older) to bring any wine or beer they would like to enjoy during class for personal consumption. Kitchen on Fire employees cannot open or serve beverages you bring into the kitchen. We cannot sell or distribute alcohol and we uphold ABC regulations. No minor can drink and we cannot have intoxicated students attending a class.  

Chef's Bio

One of the East Bay’s popular culinary personalities, Chef Olive Said, is the founder of Kitchen on Fire cooking school, located in the heart of Berkeley’s culinary district in North Berkeley. Chef Olive has been part of the Berkeley culinary neighborhood for over 20 years, first as one of the original owners in Cesar Tapas Bar and then moving on to open the cooking school in 2005. The cooking school was a place to share his passions of good food, nutrition and community through teaching students of all ages and backgrounds in a warm and inviting environment.

Born and raised in France, Chef Olive is the descendant of at least five generations of restaurateurs dating back to the early 1750s in France. He began his career at the age of 15 in his mother’s Paris restaurant. He moved to Los Angeles in the early 1980s and worked at Ken Frank’s La Toque, one of the first restaurants in the country to feature California nouvelle cuisine. In 1987, he returned to Paris and opened his own restaurant, the very popular Texas Coyote. Soon after his return to the states, he rooted himself in the Berkeley culinary world.

Happy Cooking!

Adventure Tips

Bring a notebook

Jot down recipes and pairing tips for recreating tapas at home.

Arrive hungry

Come ready to taste multiple dishes and learn hands-on techniques.

Wear comfortable clothing

The class involves standing for several hours in a kitchen environment.

Communicate dietary restrictions

Inform the organizer in advance to accommodate allergies or preferences.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Urban squirrels frequently seen in Berkeley’s parks.
  • A variety of local bird species including American robins.

History

Berkeley has a long history of culinary innovation and community markets dating back to the early 20th century.

Conservation

The cooking class emphasizes local, sustainable ingredients sourced from Berkeley-area farms to minimize environmental impact.

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Adventure Hotspots in Berkeley

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Notebook and pen

Essential

To record recipes, techniques, and pairing suggestions during the class.

Comfortable shoes

Essential

You’ll be standing and moving around the kitchen for three hours.

Apron

Optional but helpful to keep clothes clean while cooking.

Water bottle

Stay hydrated during the hands-on session.