A trip to Japan (without leaving Bergamo)
Close your eyes and imagine the aroma of Tokyo markets: the steam rising from bamboo steamers, the sizzling of dumplings on the hot griddle, and that unique flavor that combines sweet, savory, and umami.
On Wednesday, September 30, the Atelier will transform into a corner of Japan. Under the expert and delightful guidance of Yumi Katsura, a native Japanese cooking instructor, you will learn to make from scratch the two most famous specialties of Asia: Gyoza (the legendary Japanese dumplings) and Bao (called Nikuman in Japan), soft and light steamed buns like a cloud.
"It seems difficult, will I be able to do it too?"
If you think rolling out a very thin dough or making the typical pleats of dumplings is impossible for you, you've come to the right place. This course is specifically designed for absolute beginners. Yumi will guide you step-by-step and show you traditional tricks to make oriental manual skills a breeze. No rush, no judgment: just the pleasure of experimenting and learning while having fun.
What you will learn and prepare with your own hands:
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The perfect Gyoza dough: How to knead and roll out the discs to achieve the ideal consistency and thickness.
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The magic of sealing: The art of folding Gyoza into a crescent shape and sealing Bao into a "swirl", step-by-step at your station.
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The double cooking of Gyoza: The secret to making them incredibly crispy on the bottom and steamed on top.
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The cloud of Nikuman (Bao): The leavening and steaming technique to obtain very white, very soft, and light buns.
The dishes on tonight's menu:
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Traditional Gyoza: filled with spiced meat and crispy vegetables, accompanied by their homemade dipping sauce.
- Nikuman (Bao): filled with a savory and succulent filling, perfect to replicate at home to impress friends.
No one gets left behind: The Convivial Island Formula
Forget cold, frontal lessons where you sit and watch a blackboard. In our Atelier, we all work together around a single large Convivial Island with 20 stations. You will have your own space, your pre-portioned ingredients, and your tools.
Once the preparations are complete, we will turn off the stoves and all gather around the Island to dine together, enjoying the fruits of our labor accompanied by a selected glass of wine (or Asian beer!), water, and coffee. It will be your relaxing and fun evening of the week!
What your participation fee includes:
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Individual workstation with fresh, high-quality ingredients already prepared.
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3-hour practical course 100% hands-on.
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Dinner and full tasting of all Gyoza and Bao prepared together.
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Glass of paired wine (or beverage), water, and coffee included.
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The handout with recipes and steps explained simply by Yumi Katsura to be able to recreate them at home without errors.
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Very limited spots (Maximum 20 participants) to ensure maximum care and attention.