Susan holds classes once a month at Miele's Bryanston Showroom. Susan's philosophy is fresh and above all simple. "If cooking is complicated, you'll never enjoy making it or the end product," says Susan. "I pride myself on structuring my cooking classes

Best of all Susan's classes are entertaining with her outrageous sense of humour and her tips go beyond recipes - to serving and presentation, which she believes are key to food's eye appeal. "Food should be a delight to the visual senses, which are evoked before the other senses kick in," adds Susan.

AI fresco entertaining is Susan's signature style, which mirrors her casual, bubbly personality and the absolute joy she has for food. You miss these classes and you will miss out! For further information or to book, contact 083 616 0136

Some little tips to know when planning your festive party:

Melting chocolate

Chocolate will melt more easily if chopped into small even pieces. Place chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water – which must not touch the base of the bowl. As the chocolate starts to melt, stir it gently with a spatula so that it melts evenly and becomes completely smooth. Remove from stove to stop overheating the minute it is smooth.

Meringues

These can be made in advance and keep well and are an ideal make ahead dessert. If you prefer them slightly gooey in the centre, use them within 2 days as they dry out over time.

Meringues can be kept for 2 months in a dry airtight container lined with greaseproof paper.

Sangria

The Spanish version of Pimms – It is a wonderful drink to have during those long, lazy summer lunches.

Here is my favourite recipe, which makes enough for 8-10 servings:

Slice 1 lemon, 1 orange & 1 lime and put in a large jug. Add 1 bottle of red wine, 50ml Brandy & 750ml lemonade. Stir together and pour into glasses with plenty of ice.

Banking details

You can now purchase gift vouchers for Susan Greig's cooking classes. The bank details are below:

• Recipient: Susan Greig
• Bank: Nedbank – Hyde Park
• Branch Code: 197205
• Account Number: 1972144545
• Reference: Clearly mark SURNAME of the person whom is to receive the gift voucher. If you know the date that they will be attending please also put that on the reference. Please confirm your payment with an email to bookings@greig.co.za
• Amount: each class costs R350. There are 10 classes in 2012.

SHOW COOK-FOR SERIOUS AMATEUR COOKS

Five years ago Susan Greig did a City and Guilds chef’s training course with Suzi Holtzhausen – “mainly for fun and so I could feed delicious food to my fussy husband!” She enjoyed it so much she opened her own cookery school in Miele’s Bryanston showroom, in the fully equipped test kitchen seating 40. She gives morning and evening classes there, once a month, R340 per lesson. Students produce six to eight dishes and then eat them. Read more