Confection classes

[rebgold]

I have been asked to do some adult classes with some simple topics like pies, marshmallows, maybe truffles, etc... I'm trying to figure out how one creates a class that will be interesting for people when I don't have enough equipment for them to actually make things themselves. I really only have one of everything, mixer, food processor, two burner stovetop, etc...

Has anyone ever done classes like this? Do the participants usually handle the ingredients, like 240 degree syrup, themselves?

[lebowits]

I would avoid letting newbies deal with hot sugar of any kind. This type of thing screams "demo". In the classes I've planned, I demo the more complex or "dangerous" stuff and let the class handle the components to assemble final products. Something that's always fun is teaching them how to temper chocolate.

Good luck!

[gap]

All the classes I've attended had the students do everything (even Level 1 chocolates when we were making caramels). Having said that, the instructor was very quick to figure out who he would let near the boiling sugar and who he'd keep away from it.

Edited to add: those kept away from boiling sugar got to make ganache instead

Edited May 12, 2011 by gap (log)