Crazy Question about New Cooking Techniques

[Bhc]

A little history first. Every Fourth (of July for you internationals) my mom plans her annual "Camp Ann". She plans all sorts of fun activities indoors and out. My brother's stepdaughter is 16 and very into cooking (she's quite good actually and would have spent the summer working with me if it weren't for my evil ex business partner - another story for another day).

Anyway, Mum is planning a cupcake decorating contest, an Iron Chef type challenge and is looking for one more thing to round out the events. She mentioned that it might be fun for all of us to learn a new technique together and make something using that lesson. The problem is we can't think of anything that we don't already know how to do that might not be adversely affected by potential heat and humidity! (I know, that sounds snotty but she and I are *major* foodies and I was a "pro" for a bit.)

Anyone have any suggestions? Mum has a very large well-equipped kitchen so space isn't an issue. We would just like to do something fun and tasty. We thought about some cake decorating techniques but with the potential for serious summer weather that's not a good plan. We also considered a pig roast but there isn't all that much fun in it (aside of eating it!). Any ideas will be very welcomed. Bren

[GhettoRacingKid]

I cant think of any good techinqiues but what about...

Doing a small cake decorating contest.

make like a lets say 6 inch cake and then provide the icing and have like a buffet with all types of things to decorate the cake, like sprinkles, choclate chips, m&ms, fruit, assorted candies and a pastry bag.

Then have each person pic a tip out of a hat and they have to use that tip to decorate there cake.

It will definaly be fun and creative.

[bluezebra]

Here are some ideas:

#1
How old are the kids? How about doing a watermelon carving contest using the mini melons? The one I'm thinking of is a Thai technique that is exquisite. The carvings look like flowers such as peonies etc.

Here is a step by step guide on doing it:
Watermelon Carving in 18 Steps | Fruit Carving | Temple of Thai

And here are some examples:
�¼‰Z‚Q‚O‚O‚R
Watermelon bowl

I've seen whole bouquets done of various melons (watermelon, canteloupe, honeydews along with other fruits and veggies and it is absolutely breathtaking! Wish I knew how to do this!

#2
You could all make a "signature dish" that is distinctly describing you, then vote on who's is the best.

#3
You could all make the same dish and see who wins....like you could do a classic souffle (not very 4th of July-ish) or maybe your could do a patriotic baked alaskan or something like that and see who wins?

[ChefRAZ]

just pastries or what about Pizza making contest.. have all kinds of cooked peppers,chicken, pineapples ect...

[DC Sunshine]

Depends on the age of the kids.... but if they're old enough - what about the best en papillote dish they can prepare? Its a lovely way of cooking, the best part being when you open it and the aromas come out. Or the best bbqed kebab - could be meat, fish, fruit, veg, any combination - they'll need to blanch some of the hard veg first to get them to cook at same time as meat, marinate some meats if they like, etc etc... have fun and let us know how it goes

DC

P.S. Give us the recipe if they come up with a real goodie hehehe