To Cook Or Not To Cook

[Frank Mestre]

Hi I am embarking on my first camino on 8th. June I am a chef and one of my pastimes/ passions is cooking outdoors. I was thinking of buying local produce and generally having fun cooking perhaps with a few fellow pilgrims around a contained fire. Should I take a pan, utencils, seasoning etc. Or is it a waste of time and effort?

 

[Kent Davis]

I believe you will find cooking in the various Albergues a better format because you have the necessary cooking utensils in many, the people and you don't have to carry the extra weight. I think you will make a lot of friends this way!

 

[mspath]

Cooking as a chef using albergue kitchens sounds like a great idea! Most albergue kitchen are adequate but in Galicia the xunta albergues have no utensils, cutlery or dishes! Be forewarned.

Buen provecho!

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Frank, welcome to the forum.

I think it's hard to come up with a better entree to a group of hungry strangers than to say, "I'm a cook!" Only possibly better opener on the Camino would be "I'm a masseuse!"

My old pal @koilife (where are you koilife?) had a thread on this topic a few years ago, so take a look. I actually met and walked with him and his son for a few days and was the beneficiary of his cooking. It's not that he was cooking fabulous gourmet stuff, it's just that he had the knack of knowing how to make good meals with what was fresh in the market and available left over in the albergue.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...es-the-ideal-superlight-mobile-kitchen.25116/

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/how-to-be-more-like-koilife-in-the-kitchen.25231/

I think most of us will say that most of our memorable meal events happened in albergues around the table, having had the luck to find a cook/organizer to tell the rest of us what to do. We buy the food, we wash and chop, we clean up, and we let the cook do his/her work. It's a match made in heaven. (But I do think the outdoor fire idea is not totally viable).

 

[jo webber]

My husband cooks all the meals at home. He will be cooking as we walk this fall. I'm not sure if he will bring seasonings or find them along the Way. Either way, he loves cooking for groups of people. Hope there will be hungry pilgrims to share with.

 

[GPeachy]

I'm sure you will be very popular. My husband was also a professional chef and one thing that makes him crazy is dull knives. If you are checking your pack or walking poles you may want to include a couple of lightweight and inexpensive KAI knives + some spices. If the albergue doesn't have utensils or plates you can pick up some paper plates and plastic cutlery when you shop for groceries.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

You may be popular with the group YOU are with but spare a thought for the ones who arrive just after you.

There was a very amiable French group in 2003 who would arrive, set up shop in the kitchen (if there was one) and produce amazing cuisine but be in there for hours. Nice guys but things would often turn ugly as nobody else got a look in.

 

[Frank Mestre]

Thanks guys ill take in all your points. I amagine ill be able to buy a good knife for the journey in St Jean?? as I cant take one in my hand luggage.

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hi I am embarking on my first camino on 8th. June I am a chef and one of my pastimes/ passions is cooking outdoors. I was thinking of buying local produce and generally having fun cooking perhaps with a few fellow pilgrims around a contained fire. Should I take a pan, utencils, seasoning etc. Or is it a waste of time and effort?

Hola @Frank - go for it; I am just more than a little envious that I will have finished my Camino when you are starting. As was recommended announcing your skills will get you more than a few friends. Hopefully the hospitaleros will cooperate, your fellow pilgrims (I expect) will offer to help with the food purchases and also be kitchen hands. A very special Buen Camino.

 

[DanielH]

Hi I am embarking on my first camino on 8th. June I am a chef and one of my pastimes/ passions is cooking outdoors. I was thinking of buying local produce and generally having fun cooking perhaps with a few fellow pilgrims around a contained fire. Should I take a pan, utencils, seasoning etc. Or is it a waste of time and effort?

Hola Frank. Sorry we won't be on the Camino at the same time. I too, like to throw things together to come up with meals. Would probably learn a thing or two from you. Buen Camino and buen provecho!

 

[HeidiL]

Just a note about the fire you mentioned - strictly forbidden in many parts of Spain, where the danger of wildfires is taken very seriously.

I have cooked five-course meals in albergues using whatever was on hand and what my new acquaintances carried - a fun challenge! I have also shown a restaurant owner in Segovia my Chaine des Rotisseurs pin and received an overwhelming welcome.

 

[Frank Mestre]

You may be popular with the group YOU are with but spare a thought for the ones who arrive just after you.

There was a very amiable French group in 2003 who would arrive, set up shop in the kitchen (if there was one) and produce amazing cuisine but be in there for hours. Nice guys but things would often turn ugly as nobody else got a look in.

The better the chef/cook the quicker he/her can knock up meals and be gone.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Cooking in albergue kitchens is one thing, open/contsined fire outdoors, will prove to be difficult. Finding ingredients may also prove to be difficult in small towns as the grocery stores are more of a convienience store than a true source of goods.

 

[notion900]

ill be able to buy a good knife for the journey in St Jean??

Don't know about St Jean but here is a kitchen supply shop in Bayonne: Culinarion

 

[mspath]

Don't know about St Jean but here is a kitchen supply shop in Bayonne: Culinarion

For knives and more in SJPdP try
Galeries Garazi, 7 Place Floquet

 

[simply B]

Yes, @Frank Mestre , it can be fun but you have to know your audience.

There can be difficulties if you do not....

B

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

What a great way to meet new friends along the way !!!!!!!!!!1

 

[long trails]

I found cooking was the only way to get a lot of veg. Many Spanish dishes are meat often with fries.

 

[Jantina Hanna]

Thanks guys ill take in all your points. I amagine ill be able to buy a good knife for the journey in St Jean?? as I cant take one in my hand luggage.

I wish you could start earlier. Or me later. I am starting April 25th in Pamplona. I am not a cook nor am I'm a masseuse. If anybody on my route close to my dates is please let me know. I hugely appreciate both if they are willing to share their trades.