Join the Pizza Party!!!

The Cook’s Resource (Different Drummers Kitchen) plans their cooking classes pretty far in advance. I’ve been working with them to put together something pretty awesome for the next class I’m going to be teaching there.

My favorite food on the planet is pizza. So I figured, “why not try to incorporate pizza into the next class?” To do this, I need some help. My pizza-making-skills are alright, but I know someone who is a pro and is actually an instructor by trade.

My cousin, Bobby A. (aka Bobby F’n A.), has a story very similar to mine. He grew up in the food industry paying his dues mastering the craft of making pizza at his dad’s and uncle’s legendary pizza hotspot, “Pizzaland” in Oneonta. Bobby decided to take his career in a different direction and makes his living as a musician. He is the drummer for the popular area band, The Accents, and he provides private drum lessons to students of various skill levels.

So, for the next class, I’m bringing a drummer to Different Drummers Kitchen. Bobby and I are going to be co-teaching a class on amazing pizzas. Bobby’s going to show you everything you need to know to turn out restaurant quality pizza in your own home. He’ll go over how to set your oven, how to make and work with dough, and how to make your own sauce.

I’m going to help out by showing you how to make some toppings that will take your pizzas to the next level.

Here’s the official description of the class:

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Amazing Pizza at Home

Saturday, January 25, 6-8:30pm

Instructors: Jerry Papandrea and Bobby Angilletta

Join Jerry and Bobby, longtime friends and cousins, and learn how to use your own oven to make restaurant quality pizza. You’ll learn how to make the dough, create delicious sauces, and use unique ingredients that result in a pie above the rest!

• Pizza Margherita
• Pizza Marinara
• California-style Pizza with fig jam, arugula and prosciutto
• Clams Casino Pizza
• Calabrese-Style Pizza topped with fresh spicy sausage and sautéed wild mushrooms

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I’m going to show you a quick and easy way to make your own fig jam with balsamic vinegar. I’m going to demonstrate how to successfully sauté mushrooms, and I’m going to go over making sausage from scratch.

We might even have some time to do some things that aren’t on the class description. We have lots of fun stories!

Plus you’ll get to eat everything! It’s gonna be an awesome time!

Bobby and I recently got together, and he cooked us up some pizzas. Actually, he made all of the above pizzas, so we ate pretty good that night. He was able to make these pizzas in his apartment in his standard issue oven with a pizza stone not unlike the basic ones available at Different Drummers.

Here are some pictures: (bear in mind, for his sauce, he used fresh orange and yellow heirloom tomatoes from his parents’ garden, so, while the sauce wasn’t deep red, it was very flavorful.)

If you want a spot in the class (side note: you do!), you can make your reservation at The Cook’s Resource (Different Drummers Kitchen) in Stuyvesant Plaza in Albany, by calling 518-459-7990, or online. Cooking classes are great holiday gifts, so this class is going to fill up fast. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!