Cook along with the world's best chef (Gordon Ramsey Cookalong Live)

Member Name: bruffyboy

Product:	Gordon Ramsey Cookalong Live
Date:	31/01/09 (80 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: great fun

Disadvantages: not cheap

Gordon Ramsay is widely regarded as the world's best chef. Unlike most of the other chefs on TV, he's not just a TV celebrity chef, but one of the most highly decorated and praised chefs in the real world of high cuisine. Over the years I've eaten up (!) his books and TV shows, and then came this: Cookalong Live - the chance to actually join him in the kitchen so to speak!

THE IDEA:
The simple idea is that Gordon will spend a one hour show cooking a three course meal, and you can follow along at home in real time. Before the show you need to go to the website and get the ingredients, then prepare them. When the programme begins it's a mix of cooking and chat with celebrity guests.

THE REALITY:
Well, our best friends invited us over for the cookalong. The three course meal was adventurous: Prawn Cocktail, Steak Diane and home-made cheesecake. The ingredients cost a shocking £40, so don't make the mistake of thinking this is all about cheap food.

We approached the show with two of us watching and laughing whilst the other two cooked. I have to say it was one of the most fun nights we've had. The annoying thing is that it's almost impossible not to miss some of the instructions, as Gordon is pretty quick speaking. Of course, this adds to the fun when he re-caps and we're like "what?!"

The food was fantastic, particularly the home-made cheesecake which was one of the tastiest things I've ever eaten.

Difficulty wise it's beginner level, and Ramsay really does make it simple (although as I've said, keeping up with him is tough at times).

I would definitely recommend using channel 4 catch-up to watch this with the ability to pause it, as you can then make up for any mistakes you're making along the way.

IN CONCLUSION:
It's a fun, social and entertaining event that results in tasty food, but it isn't cheap.

Summary: do it!