Unique shop adds new flavor to community
By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

Photos by JOE WOODS/Acorn Newspapers DON'T CALL IT A PANCAKE- Above, cooking student Les Atles flips a crepe during a class at The Magical Kitchen. Above right, Alejandra Alvarez, Sonora Greed, and Les Atles, all of Simi Valley, take lessons from instructor JoAnn Hecht. The restaurant hails itself a casual cooking school, wine bar and gourmet kitchen shop.

Chris Taub stood over a bowl on the kitchen counter, adding ingredients for the batter of her crêpe suzette recipe.

Fourteen other cooking students bustled around the back room kitchen area of The Magical Kitchen in Simi, sautéing fillings, cutting vegetables, blending ingredients and pouring crêpe batter into nonstick pans.

The crêpe workshop last Wednesday night was Simi resident Taub's fourth class at the casual new cooking school, wine bar and gourmet kitchen shop in Sycamore Plaza.

"I've always wanted to learn to cook the proper way instead of the 'let's try this' way," Taub said.

The Magical Kitchen opened in May, adding new flavor to the variety of shops in the community. There, residents can sign up for classes such as Stunning Soufflés, Dim Sum Date Night, or just the basic cooking skills. They can pick up hard-to-find cooking tools and gourmet foods. They can even come to the wine bar and participate in a tasting with a professional sommelier.

"It's a place to come for fun," said Lisa Eidman, Simi resident and owner of The Magical Kitchen.

The only store of its kind in the community and surrounding area, The Magical Kitchen serves as a one-stop shop for food and wine lovers. It's built up a steady base of loyal customers and cooking students since its opening three months ago.

The shop is Eidman's labor of love. She worked on the business side of the food industry for more than 10 years as a division controller of Nestle USA, and she's a graduate of the professional cooking and pastry programs at the Westlake Culinary Institute.

Over the last five years, Eidman's been busy making her vision of the shop a reality. Her love for food and socializing became her inspiration for bringing the place into the community.

"I've always loved a good party," she said. "I love wine, food and entertaining guests."

A party is exactly the kind of ambiance one would expect coming into the Magical Kitchen for a wine tasting or cooking class. The doors are also open to those who want to reserve the kitchens for their own private party.

All of the teachers are trained chefs who try to make the classes exciting. Students get to work hands-on in the kitchen and eat their creations at the end of the session. Sometimes they get to enjoy a glass of wine or champagne with their meal, depending on the class.

During one of the classes, "An Evening in Tuscany- A Wine Dinner," students prepare a full-course meal using Tuscan flavors. Then Tim Robertson, the sommelier, matches Tuscan wines to each course.

JoAnn Hecht, the chef who presents the crêpe workshop, has been teaching cooking classes for more than 10 years. She runs her own catering business in Simi and was one of the first chefs who joined The Magical Kitchen team.

Hecht spent a lot of time during last Wednesday's class walking around and helping each group work on their recipes. With Eidman, she'd decided on a menu of six types of crêpe dishes- two desserts, two savory crêpes, an appetizer and an Indian dish, masala dosa. When the students first introduced themselves to the rest of the class, at least two of them said they attended the class primarily to learn how to make masala dosa.

From children and teens in cooking camps to baking enthusiasts to couples looking for a unique way to spend a Friday night, everyone can find a cooking class to inspire them.

When it comes to wine, the bar offers a number of varietals from both local and international wineries. Eidman takes pride in selling wines that aren't commonly offered in grocery stores or other shops.

"We really look for different things," she said.

The Magical Kitchen also offers a seven-week wine series to teach people how to conduct proper tastings. By the end of the series, a student would know the difference between old world and new world wines and how to determine the varietals and ages by smell and taste.

For connoisseurs of wine and for those who are simply curious, the wine bar hosts tastings every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. The wine list changes weekly and a single flight, or five 1-ounce pours, typically costs between $8 and $15.

Groups can also schedule wine tours, where they travel to the wineries and do the tastings there.

The Magical Kitchen will be hosting several events in the near future to get to know the community.

In October, chefs will be demonstrating various products and cooking techniques during a customer appreciation day.

The Magical Kitchen also plans to throw a party on Nov. 15 to celebrate the French wine tradition "Beaujolais Nouveau," where the young fresh wine is opened to be enjoyed immediately.

The Magical Kitchen is at 2792 Cochran St. For more information visit www.themagicalkitchen.com or by calling (805) 527-3000.