Interview with Kondo-san of Kurashiki Tocotoco
I spoke with Kondo Tomiko, who runs a cooking class at Kurashiki Tocotoco in Kojima, Kurashiki City, about her thoughts on the cooking class.
The handmade items I loved became the reason to start a class
Can you tell us what inspired you to start the cooking class?
Kondo
Originally, I enjoyed baking bread and sweets to share with my children and give to friends. The things I made were all simple, additive-free items that could be made with things at home without special tools. I had always thought, I want to share more of those recipes.
At that time, a friend opened a café and asked me, "Would you like to try a bread class?" When I tried it, I found that the time spent making things together was really enjoyable.
After a while, I was at a point where I was about to quit my job and had remodeled my home, so I thought I could do it here as well and started.
I want to deliver recipes that make you want to create at home again
What do you value in your classes?
Kondo
I strive to include simple items that anyone can make, healthy options, and things that can be recreated at home in the menu. If it's too difficult, it won't be sustainable, so I place importance on making it easy to replicate.
It would be a waste if someone learned something but then stopped doing it at home.
Feeling the growing interest in rice flour bread
Is the popularity of the rice flour bread class due to its ease of incorporation into daily life?
Kondo
At first, I was making bread with wheat flour, but more people started wanting to learn about rice flour. It seems that nowadays, more people are interested in rice flour.
Rice flour might seem difficult, but when you actually try it, it's surprisingly easy to make, and people appreciate that aspect as well.
Healthy options that can be continued without strain
Is there something you want to convey through this class?
Kondo
I want to convey that "handmade is not that difficult." There are many things that can be easily made with tools you have at home, and I believe that healthy options should be incorporated into daily life without strain.
As people become more concerned about their health with age, I would be happy if they could continue doing it at home without feeling pressured.
Participating in the cooking class
I sometimes neglect meals in my daily life.
However, the cooking taught at Kurashiki Tocotoco was all easy to continue while taking care of my body.
I want my family to eat safe and delicious food. This was a time to reaffirm that feeling.
Making, eating, and talking with someone.
I think that time also provided an opportunity to reconsider cooking habits and methods that I hadn't noticed alone.
If you want to learn about healthy meals, why not visit Kurashiki Tocotoco?
Data on Kurashiki Tocotoco
| Name | Kurashiki Tocotoco |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-9-43 Akasaki, Kojima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Parking | Available |
| Business Hours | Irregularly held *Requests for specific dates are also possible |
| Payment Methods |
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| Website | Kurashiki Tocotoco |
