Forum Thermomix
Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Chit Chat => Topic started by: brazen20au on July 02, 2011, 09:31:59 pm
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as the title says ;D
personally i would love to see some different / new things, and for a reasonalbe price. I would also hope that recipes (at least a few if not all) would be handed out - the one class i went to we were given none :-\
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Personally, I think those run-by-HO classes are a waste of time and money, and I know I am not alone, as my friends think the same way. We all much prefer to have out consultant come over and do a demo - she is by far much better at presenting and the food she prepares is so much nicer than at those HO classes. The potato salad at one class I went to was still raw; how can they expect people to want a tm i the food they prepare isn't even cooked? No I'll stick to having demos at home, thank you.
I want the same as you brazen, but I don't think HO runs classes for people who have a tm - the classes are for people who don't have one and just want to have a look.
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I'd like to see knowledgable consultants - I want to go to a class where their are consultants who can answer food questions and know something about cooking and food, not the ones who have only just got their new consultant stripes, and the salespeople consultants. I remember going to a few classes where there was a consultant who could answer out food and cooking questions, but since then, I've noticed that she hasn't been there and the ones they have been having are either newbies or salespeople. I don't bother going anymore.
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I'd like to see classes where things different to the demonstrations are done. Even if they had to be cooked before hand, eg a casserole, and then we were given the recipe. I'm sure most of us who have had our machines for a while do so many different things with them that this shouldn't be too hard to organise. Something like Jo did for us here in WA. Even if consultants were allowed to collect recipes from their customers and then present some of them in a class. It is obvious from all the recipes on the forum that people can and do use them for so much.
Better get off the soap box. ;) ;)
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no need to get off cookie ;)
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Finally, someone is asking this question!
Unfortunately my consultant is no longer in business so I (and all my friends she sold to from my demos) have been in consultant "wilderness" with only having a quick run down on how the machine works. As I've said before if it wasnt for this forum I wouldnt be using my TMX half as much as I do and probably would have been pushed to the back of the cupboard like my other unused gadgets!
I have since found a new consultant, who is lovely and keeps in touch with regular updates. I still think us old timers could learn something new - but I don't think anyone involved in those basic classes are in it to help owners. I guess its about sales.
I agree with the previous posts - knowledgable consultants would be great. Bread lessons. Classes like Jo did in WA. Not just festive classes.
Now I'll get off.....
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I have had my thermomix since December and it gets quite a workout. I went to a Back to Basics - Baking Secrets cooking class held recently and it was great.
It was professional, well run and lively. The food was great and included dishes from the EDC, Vegetarian cookbook (and may be others that I've forgotten) as well as a couple of new dishes that we got the recipes for on a glossy brochure. I learned some new things about the tmx and spatula and also the technique for making professional looking pull apart bread. There were lots of different TMX recipe books and accessories to examine. It was a cash only affair but that was OK because we were given prior notice.
So IMHO it was very informative, enjoyable and well worth the money. My only suggestion would be to hand out the menu for the evening (including the recipe source).
I'm looking forward to the next one.
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Finally, someone is asking this question!
Unfortunately my consultant is no longer in business so I (and all my friends she sold to from my demos) have been in consultant "wilderness" with only having a quick run down on how the machine works. As I've said before if it wasnt for this forum I wouldnt be using my TMX half as much as I do and probably would have been pushed to the back of the cupboard like my other unused gadgets!
I have since found a new consultant, who is lovely and keeps in touch with regular updates. I still think us old timers could learn something new - but I don't think anyone involved in those basic classes are in it to help owners. I guess its about sales.
I agree with the previous posts - knowledgable consultants would be great. Bread lessons. Classes like Jo did in WA. Not just festive classes.
Now I'll get off.....
Ouch! Have you actually been to a B2B class LMT? They are run purely to help new owners to get the most out of their Thermomix. I've been to a number of classes and always go away having learnt something new and inspired to try some new dishes!
If you have a few friends with TMs and would like to get into some more advanced dishes then why not start a cooking club amongst yourselves?
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I don't have a problem with the back to basics classes except that I think they should be advertised as a "thermomix demonstrations" rather than cooking classes. There is only so much you can learn from the same old dip, sorbet, custard routine and they really are a demonstration of the machine rather than an actual cooking class.
If Thermomix Oz want to run proper cooking classes then I think they need to design some really advanced and gourmet classes. As there wouldn't be much hope of sales at these classes (and we don't want to listen to the sell - again) we would need to expect to pay proper cooking class rates for these. :)
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I agree with the comments made by others on here. It is 3-4 hours drive to attend a class from where I live and I really don't see the point of it if it it the same old basic cooking class. I know that the one I have been too was not too far removed from the demonstration I attended. As the cooking class also had people looking to purchase a TMX, a lot of time was taken explaining the TMX as well. I would like to see different classes which are run by those with TMX/cooking/food knowledge and travelling around. I think if you can get say 10 people together for the class it shouldn't matter where you are. Also would like to see classes such as Indian/Asian to match our cookbooks as well as other types aimed at maybe entertaining, etc. Well that's my thoughts for the day.
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yeah, i totally agree about the B2B classes
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Sorry some of you feel that way. There are certain guidelines that need to be followed with B2B classes that are set by head office. The baking class was a little different as it had a baking focus. We have provided a running list for our classes since the end of last year. I would love to run specialized classes for my customers but it is hard to gauge what to charge and how to run it. I know there is a demand. I would suggest becoming a consultant ;) I am always learning new things about the TM at meetings and cooking classes not to mention from my customers. ;D
What would people like to see in terms of specialized classes?
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I have never been to a B2B class but it really doesn't appeal. I would go for... Entertaining, Thai, baking, bread, sauces, brunches and as said above anything 'gourmet'... Want to WOW my Dh and friends, not just do 'the basics'. That's my 2cents worth.
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Ah specialized classes. Now that is a different matter. It may be asking a lot, but I would love a tmx version of a combination of an old cook book called Womens Weekly Easy Entertaining cookbook and Jamie Oliver's 30 Minute Meals.
I'm thinking menus based around seasons (to make the best use of fresh seasonal produce) and occasions. Things like a summer party for 30, a winter dinner party for 10, champagne lunch for 20, informal/formal Christmas lunch/dinner for 10 or 20 to name just a few. The classes could show how to put it all together in a work plan like Jamie does in the 30 minute meals book and of course provide relevant handouts which build up a cookbook.
I would happily pay and give up the greater part of a Saturday or Sunday for this. Over the top maybe :-))
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But the burn question is how much would you be willing to pay and how long would you expect the class to run for?
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We have never had the opportunity to attend anything other than a B2B class, which is of no interest to me. Unfortunately my consultant is not very adventurous with regards thermie. She has my folder of tried and tested recipes so that customers can have access :) :)
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They are indeed burning questions Meagan. Unfortunately I don't have the knowledge or skills to come up with details. I was hoping some clever consultants could come up with some possibilities. ;D
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The B2B cooking classes are especially designed for new owners and they are really great for answering questions about Thermomix, things they may have missed at their demo - not really questions about food- after all us consultants aren’t chefs or food specialists, we are not necesarrily even particularly good at cooking! (me ;D) but that is the beauty of TM - anybody can show up at a stranger’s place and whip up a 6 course meal!
The classes are also great for those who have never seen TM before, like those who want the husband to see it without having to hold their own demo, or want to see it again or show to a friend.
It would be wonderful to have more advanced classes as suggested and some attempt at that was made with the baking classes held in June.
I love your ideas djinni – how cool! Maybe we can organise some unofficial ones like that ourselves!?
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I'd be up for that KylieJade :)
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I guess that's the problem with b2b classes - so many of the consultants/presenters are either new, can't cook or are sales people, and it can be a bit the blind leading the blind. There is still some technique necessary to whip up a meal and that's why it would be nice to have someone who can answer food related questions so one can get the most out of their tm. A b2b class can be very informative if the right person runs it.
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I've had my TMX now for nearly 2 years and have been to the basic classes, but I agree they should be called demonstrations.
One of my friends who bought from my demo and received awful service from the consultant went to a basic class a couple of months ago but was promptly told she wasnt allowed to go to any more as she was not a new owner. She really only wanted to go along to see the bread demonstration particularly as the consultant on delivery dumped the TMX on her kitchen bench and left.
The Adelaide Easter class was excellent, and worth the $45 it cost - and knowing the cost in running these things would be prepared to pay more. More of the same please! :)
I just think it makes sense to keep owners motivated so they can continue to spread the TMX word. Sometimes all this might take is a class to learn something new and get motivated again!
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I can see the problems Meagan. Lots of us have been to a sourdough class recently that we paid $120 or $150 for and it was about 4 hours. Even if people took their machines and the ingredients along or just sat and watched and were then given the recipes. Are individuals who are friends, eg our get together group permitted to have everyone round and make something to show and share? I realise that you certainly wouldn't want folks you don't know at your house but a few of us have got to know each other quite well. This would be an interesting angle to take. Say meet at each others house once a month or every 2 months and share/cook something.
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Oh to be even close to you sourdough experts :(
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johnro you are in the town that I'm 2.5 hours from. Anytime you are having anything let me know and I'll try to be there. I know a few others that may be prepared to travel as well if it's worthwhile.
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That would be lovely Twitterpated, as I mentioned in a prior post there has only ever been B2B. However I did receive an email from consultant that there was a Christmas in July class/demo - pm me your email address and I will forward the email to you, the June B2B was cancelled in Rocky no idea why!!!!! :) :)
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Interesting reading everyone. I think cookie1 has a great idea here. I have experienced a lot of what has been noted - the lady I bought my TMX from no longer sells them, so took myself off to a class in Melville which didn't really give me anything new to learn, except I was able to get the Indian cookbook there, despite being told you couldn't get it. Luckily a demonstrator brought a couple in to sell and because I had enquired about it eariery in the evening, I was able to buy one. So getting back to cookie's point - I think setting up your own group to meet once every month or so is a great idea. I would think it would be great if we could bring a recipe we all like, and we all nut out how to convert it to TMX style. I don't begrudge the consultants doing their job - let's face it, they are trying to make a living out of it as well as embracing the health benefits it can give to all of us. I have learnt so much from this forum, so I am going to continue learning from all of you who are so happy to share your recipes.
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I have been to several cooking classes (non-TMX) that ran for about 4 hours and cost $125 - which included all ingredients and a copy of all the recipes made that day, and a sit-down meal of whatever we had cooked that day, with wine/beer included. They were fabulous classes, and absolutely worth every dollar spent, as well as a great afternoon or evening out. If there were a TMX equivalent in a specialty area (ie not just the basics), then I would be there with bells on! I would have LOVED to have been to chookies bread making a few months back!
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Sounds good to me Karen!!
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Thanks for all of your opinions and honesty ;) Cookie I went to one of the sourdough classes and really loved it ;) i will think more about it but a catch up every two months with machines to cook and share sounds fantastic.
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I think Cookies idea is great. Members on this forum are good indifferent areas . I do the bread demos because I can manage these. :)Hands on, Iworking in pairs. 8 people in total. 4 machines. We start at 9', Usually cook 4 different breads. Have morning tea and lunch,(all TMX recipes)
The fee covers the cost of ingredients, as the students take home what they cook. It is usually between $ 20 and $30 . It takes a couple of weeks to organise and 3 days to get. The ingredients together, and set up the kitchen.
Could see a group thing with say 4 different people doing their own thing.
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Are individuals who are friends, eg our get together group permitted to have everyone round and make something to show and share?
Cookie, I may be mis-understanding you here, but my view is that, if any group of people want to get together at any time, to discuss anything, they surely don't need permission from any third party. I'm guessing you may be referring to HO, but, really, I don't think it has anything to do with them - if you wanted to ask people in to show them your new washing machine, you wouldn't contact the manufacturers. If, however, this is a reference to Health and Safety, I can understand your concern, but I still don't think it is a matter to get too caught up in, after all, the get together is strictly informal, between friends and acquaintances - a small group and not a commercial enterprise and I am sure our kitchens are all clean enough for this not to be a worry.
Chookie, I would certainly love to join a bread making class of yours (so long as I can get away from work) and I think $20 - $30 is an extremely modest charge - and if you needed anything bought up from Melbourne that would be easy for me to do.
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I see your point Marina, I guess I was really asking consultants their opinions. Who we invite to our home is nothing to do with HO. Would consultants on here feel we were imposing on them? When we get home I would be quite willing to have a coffee morning for my forum friends to come round. My thoughts would be that I made something for you to taste (before hand!) and we could have a chat about it.
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Cookie, great idea. Perhaps each could bring something to share also.
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Coming to join this interesting discussion! ;D
Cookie, that's what we encourage our customers to do if they've 'done' the cooking classes and know the basics - get together with a consultant and some friends, with their tmx's, and cook together. Themed cooking days are fun! One of my consultants is SO good at this - she's a chef, caterer and home-ec teacher by trade, and she goes over and above her job all the time, and her customers love her! Yesterday she did a delivery demo with a customer & her friends (they came to the consultant's house), then cooked for the rest of the day with them just for fun!!! I know not every consultant has the time to do that, but now and then having customers over for a cooking day is a really good idea. I like to invite customers/friends over and cook with them and have a cuppa together - it's fun. I've met some lovely people through this job!
I'm in the process of trying to get approval from HO for some more 'quirky' cooking classes over here - if it doesn't work out and I have to stick to the usual classes, we'll just do some cooking days together and I'll get the attendees to bring their machines and ingredients for one dish each, and we'll all take turns presenting a dish with me helping if they need it. A few customers are interested in doing that, and I think it would be a lot of fun! :) (I wouldn't charge them to come, they'd just bring ingredients.)
There have been some good specialty tmx classes lately, like the Sri Lankan one in Mackay - would love to have one of those up here! They usually cost $30.
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It sounds like fun. So many different versions of what we could do.
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Quirky, I was quite excited to read your post. Like you I feel that we have to take the initiative . Unfortunately not many people have the time to "play" like this, but the benefits are massive.
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Having just returned form lunch and TMX discussion came up with the result being as follows. Hope that I don't step on any toes but 2morow a couple of friends who have thermies and who never use varoma (and don't want to have a demo at their place ) are coming to mine. I emailed them my favourite varoma recipes( thanks to all you lovelies who have provided me with these through the forum) so they are choosing and bringing the ingredients + machines to cook their dinner for tomorrow evening. Great time had by all hopefully!!!!!!! :) :)
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You'll have great fun Robyn, hope they all choose something different.
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Robyn, what fun.
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Coming to join this interesting discussion! ;D
Cookie, that's what we encourage our customers to do if they've 'done' the cooking classes and know the basics - get together with a consultant and some friends, with their tmx's, and cook together. Themed cooking days are fun! One of my consultants is SO good at this - she's a chef, caterer and home-ec teacher by trade, and she goes over and above her job all the time, and her customers love her! Yesterday she did a delivery demo with a customer & her friends (they came to the consultant's house), then cooked for the rest of the day with them just for fun!!! I know not every consultant has the time to do that, but now and then having customers over for a cooking day is a really good idea. I like to invite customers/friends over and cook with them and have a cuppa together - it's fun. I've met some lovely people through this job!
Sigh! If only Tassie wasn't quite so far away from FNQ! If I win tattslotto I am going to fly you down here for a demo Jo! ;D
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Sounds like fun Robyn. Be sure to enjoy yourself as times like these seem too few and far between. I might have to take the cow by the horns and arrange something similar myself.
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I love these ideas. If anyone is doing something like this on the NSW Central Coast, I'd love to hear about it and be involved. I see the newsletters advertising the B2B classes, but think, 'yeah, I've seen all that and do most it anyway'. I'm not a consultant and don't desire to be, but would really enjoy catching up with other enthusiastic TMX owners.
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I see your point Marina, I guess I was really asking consultants their opinions. Who we invite to our home is nothing to do with HO. Would consultants on here feel we were imposing on them? When we get home I would be quite willing to have a coffee morning for my forum friends to come round. My thoughts would be that I made something for you to taste (before hand!) and we could have a chat about it.
You wouldn't be stepping on my toes at all Cookie :)
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Have fun Robyn, that's great!!
Chelsea, please do fly me down if you win the lotto - I'd love a holiday in Tassie!!! :D :D :D ha ha!
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Have fun Robyn let us know how it goes :)
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A great time was had by all - it certainly is a fun way of sharing TMX knowledge and experiences. I can imagine lots of giggles and gossip happening in a larger group of T addicts - perhaps one day!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D Thanks for your thoughts!!!! :D :D :D
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What did you all cook Robyn?
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What did you all cook Robyn?
Good question Judy, yes please fill us in on what you choose to make ;D ;D
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Yes please Robyn.
Meagan, you're invited then ;).
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Oh my goodness!!!!!!!!!!!! All you Perth people are SOOOOO lucky!!!!! Have you heard Tenina's news (https://www.facebook.com/cookingwithtenina)??? :o
She's leaving Thermomix and branching out on her own - she'll be running advanced Thermomix cooking classes of her own!!!
How exciting... I hope you Perthites will all support her new venture and get up a bunch of friends and go to her classes! I'm hoping she'll be travelling and will come visit FNQ for a class! :D
(She said she'll be working with Thermomix now and then, doing contract work, so we'll still 'see' her around.)
So there you go - specialty, advanced, Thermomix cooking classes coming up in WA! :)
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I have been watching her posts for a couple of weeks now and had wondered ;D ;D I am sure if there is the demand that she will be touring so lets get out there and support her!! I know I will be - not only for me but so I can broaden my knowledge as a consultant.
Good luck Tenina, though I don't think you will need it :D
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WOW - will if she ever comes to Adelaide, I will be there with bells on! And when our renovations are finished and I FINALLY have a proper kitchen, we can have an Adelaide forum get-together cooking day at our place. Hopefully I can finally meet some of my forum "heroes" in person! ;D
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How wonderful for everybody :) :)
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I am up for ome of Tenias cooking classes. Hope she posts them here.
Hally
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This question was a very timely one given that Tenina is about to start her own special classes - I'm sure she is keeping a note of what has been suggested here. ;)
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Sorry lovelies I did not respond to your query re what was produced at 2 different varoma-thons at my place during the last couple of days of my hols. Thursday was great - dishes cooked included Baf's Chicken (original recipe) as well as Maddy's version with lemon and basil sauce of which I reviewed (not often do I feel as though I could have been eating at a restaurant but that dish gave me that buzz). Also made a firm favourite, Judy's curried sausages plus steamed vegs., and a capsicum and spinach fritatta posted by Maddy Desserts were the lemon coconut steamed pudding with lemon sauce, the choc custard (FSA p174) and caramel custard (FSA P172), we began the day with spanish french toast. I loved all the savoury dishes, I prefer EDC choc custard while I found the caramel custards too sweet. I also prefer french toast cooked traditionally plus it is also quicker. :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
My forum time will certainly be cut dramatically as of tomorrow - back to the grindstone with term 3 being fairly hectic for my senior classes - my infrequent visits compared to the past couple of weeks does not indicate that I have forgotten you all - only that life is getting in the way. :( :(
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I'll definitely be going to Tenina's classes. I hope she doesn't hold any before we get home. Will have to send DD. ;)
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I'll definitely be going to Tenina's classes. I hope she doesn't hold any before we get home. Will have to send DD. ;)
Ditto. Can't wait.