I don\u2019t know if every party is the same, but I think that\u2019s the basic plan. Each station also has a helper, thank goodness for the people who had to eat my<\/em> cooking. I\u2019m not a restaurant critic for nothing, you know!<\/p>\n This is like a "Where's Waldo," but with ME! Think it over, and I'll print the answer in a column down the road. Hint: I'm paying strict attention.<\/p><\/div>\n As we arrived, we were treated to some appetizers the staff had whipped-up pre-fete, and the cocktails that the host had provided. Then we took our seats and Leslie explained what was about to occur. There was a booklet of the recipes we would be using at each place setting, and she went through each one, so that we could decide who wanted to make what. The numbers worked-out perfectly with everyone getting his or her choice.<\/p>\n Then we sat down to a gourmet buffet dinner, which included both filet mignon and salmon, made by\u2026US! And, shockingly, it was delicious! I have a feeling that Leslie and her helpers had a lot to do with just how delish it all was. (It reminded me of art school when I was little. The teacher helped me so much that all my paintings were beautiful! Now that I\u2019m a semi-grown-up, I think my pix were more the teacher\u2019s work than mine. Maybe that\u2019s where I perfected my great Tom Sawyer-ing techniques!!!) [Note: In actual cooking classes with Leslie, I know you learn a more than at a party, where everyone\u2019s out for a great social experience, rather than a cooking lesson, per se. But, even through the alcohol, everyone who wanted to learn, did. And you just couldn\u2019t help picking up a tip or two, which some of the more talented guests have already applied at home.]<\/p>\n It was a whole happy event, and so much warmer than most Los Angeles shindigs. So, if I were you, I\u2019d try to become one of my new BFFs by January, because I\u2019m really tempted to copy this party for my January 14 birthday. Or, perhaps easier than dealing with my dictatorship, maybe just host your own friends at Chefs, Inc. Either way, you\u2019re sure to have tons of fun.<\/p>\n Chefs, Inc.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10955 West Pico Blvd.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 310-470-2277\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>www.chefsinc.net<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n \u3000<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" CHEFS, INC. PARTY \u00a0 I went to a really fun cooking birthday party at Chefs, Inc. recently. It was so different that I was jealous I didn\u2019t think of it. But, since it involved cooking, of course I wouldn\u2019t have thought of it!!! As long as it didn\u2019t involve cleaning, I was all right to<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/24.jpg\" "\\"24\\"")
<\/a>This was such an interesting way to host a party, birthday or otherwise. There\u2019s no work for the host, except to bring some beverages and do the cooking along with your guests. This is how it works: Leslie McKenna, the owner of Chefs Inc., plans the menu (with you, of course,) and has everything you need set-up at the many kitchen stations through-out the space. (Chefs, Inc. is mainly a cooking school.)<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>It was really a lot of fun! Everyone mingled, which is absolutely not the case with regular parties. We hung with our own cooking quartets as we created, but it was easy to roam to check on just what everyone was doing. And some groups made more appetizers, so we met them as they passed the trays. I had a few gawkers as I was peacefully going about licking the bowl of the chocolate cake that I so wisely chose based on my ability to do just that, post-baking. So, I apologize to those I met with a dirty chocolately face!<\/p>\n