Let’s Mangia: Cooking with Culinary Experts
Let’s Eat Austin teaches locals to make restaurant worthy meals at home.
Words by Abby L. Johnson Photos by Baptiste Despois
A neon sign peeking out the window to face the sleepy residential street that is Chatham Avenue is the first clue that beyond the threshold of this unsuspecting bungalow a culinary oasis lies in wait. The blue light spells Let’s Eat!, inviting soon-to-be food-making experts into the kitchen.
Megan Smith, Aaron Andersson, and Whitney Hazelmeyer are the talented crew behind the concept. Megan, a religion studies student and Aaron, a former chemical engineer, met in culinary school when they both chose to pivot their studies into the edible arts. It seems fitting that Megan tells stories about food history while she cooks, and Aaron is more likely to explain the precise egg to flour ratio he has weighed out, or why he prefers to grind his own fennel. Whitney joined the crew shortly after when they all found themselves working for the same hotel group. With a decade’s worth of mixology expertise, Whitney completed the triad and Let’s Eat Austin was born.
At first, the newly founded company focused on restaurant consultations. When they realized the potential of the house on Chatham and their passion for sharing their deep love of good food and drink, they began to develop a slew of teachable recipes that any home cook could master.
While all their course offerings are well worth experiencing, the fresh pasta class represents the first concept the team executed. Chef Aaron raises chickens to which he fondly refers to as “the girls” and found himself with an abundance of fresh eggs. Necessity being the father of invention, he began making his own pasta, and to this day, the eggs used in Let’s Eat Austin’s recipes come from “the girls” living on the property.
The atmosphere is lively as Aaron demonstrates the ins and outs of pasta making. Music plays in the background while Megan interjects here and there with a quip or an interesting tidbit of food history. The energy of the two creatives bouncing off one another brings the room to life. As the freshly made pasta is dunked into the boiling water, the aroma of garlic and tomatoes fills the air and Megan makes a grand declaration, “Pasta is symbolic of civilization.” At first, this seems hyperbolic, but upon taking the first bite of tender capellini bathed in a delicate red sauce, the phrase feels fitting.
The space can accommodate up to 20 guests at a time. Most of the courses are open classes, meaning the participants often arrive solo or in pairs without knowing the rest of their classmates. Cautious and hungry culinary dabblers enter through the door only to leave as friends with full bellies and shared laughter, as well as newfound confidence and skills in the kitchen, a benefit that will allow them to create beautiful memories for years to come.
So much more than pasta!
Other course offerings: Sushi, Thai Noodle Primer, The King of Pizza, Cocktail Hour, Southern French Fare, Vegan Ramen & more
Try it first!
If you want to check out the space and meet the team before booking your first class, be sure to join Let’s Eat Austin for their annual Spring Fling on April 15. This year’s theme is ice cream social.
Contact:
1610 Chatham Ave.
letseataustin.com
@letseataustin
