Makifood held their annual season opener this week to introduce the new courses, the guest teachers, and plans for the future. One of the big changes is the venue. Until now, the cooking school has inhabited part of Maki and Endre's flat. The location was comfy with good ambiance, but not suitable for larger groups and team building for companies. The new kitchens are in the 5th District at the Business School for Commerce, Catering and Tourism at Alkotmany Ut 9-11. Now Makifood can host up to 120 people, but they want to continue to limit class size to 10-12 people, while company groups can be up to 40 people. Rachel Raj will continue as a guest chef for traditional Jewish cooking classes. György Kaldeneker has also joined the team, probably recognisable to many for his appearances on morning talk shows. Gyorgy brought along some yummy homemade jams and sauces, of which the lavender jam and ginger-chili sauce were outstanding. Maki made some great orange cookies, and Rachel provided a big flodni. As always, Treehugger Dan's provides the Fair Trade organic herbs and spices to Makifood. Registration for courses and gift certificates can be obtained at Treehugger Dan's Csengery u. location.

Friday night started out quietly at Bar O, the outdoor courtyard bar attached to the Retox Hostel, the same people that brought you Grand Dio and Carpe Noctem.  Bar O is my  favorite local this season.  It was suggested that we make a mini pub crawl along O utca and check out places we have never been to. First stop was a basement karaoke bar, then Szivuple Variete before we moved on to the kitsch Saloon where we met traveling British guitar player Geoff. We convinced him to bring down his guitar, and we sang and partied until about 2am. Most everyone had a turn, Josey, Mike and Ashley included, while Josey pulled up lyrics on his iphone (my the world has changed). Photos here