The Ideal Mother-Daughter Getaway

Lucretia Norman and her daughter Ashley are from Jacksonville, FL. Ashley is heading off to medical school, and before she leaves to live and study abroad, she wanted to have one last mother-daughter vacation. So the pair enrolled in CIA Bistro Boot Camp. Here, they share a taste of their Boot Camp experience:

Lucretia: I am a repeat Boot Camper. My first experience with the CIA was back in 2001 with a class at the Greystone campus on California artisan food. Later, for my birthday, my husband enrolled me in Culinary Boot Camp – Basic Training, and I just loved being with other food enthusiasts. I since have completed the Italian Cuisine and Pastry Boot Camps. Last year, Ashley and her dad joined me in participating in BBQ Boot Camp. What a wonderful experience to share with my husband and daughter. My entire family enjoys cooking together.

Ashley: When I heard my mother's stories about Boot Camp, it made me want to come and check it out. So we decided to take this Boot Camp together as a last bonding experience for mom and daughter for awhile before I go to college in the West Indies.

Lucretia: I've learned in Bistro Boot Camp how to poach an egg—which I've never been able to do correctly—and I've learned to make crêpes. And I will be doing both at home.

Ashley: I love Bistro Boot Camp. My favorite meal of the day is breakfast, so I've liked learning how to make the perfect omelet and preparing eggs in different ways. I always just threw the egg in the pan, waited for it to solidify, and flipped it so it browned. Chef DeShetler showed us a different way to make omelets so they don't brown. I've learned a lot of other things, too. I know I'll return to Boot Camp, maybe in eight years. I've got to get through medical school first!

Lucretia: The CIA is doing a wonderful job spreading the joy of cooking. I've done six Boot Camps in all, and I expect to attend many more.