I need a teach yourself to cook class?

Question

You know how they have those educational boxed sets that help you teach yourself languages or instruments or kniting or something? Well I need a cooking one. One that teachs you cutting skills and technical terms and cooking techniques. My sister is an aspiring chef and I want to get her something for Christmas to refine her skills. Thanks!
 P.S. Please don't suggest I sign her up for cooking classes, I've already thought of that and I can't really afford it now.

. · Accepted Answer

I would consider Jacques Pépin's Complete Techniques as her BIBLE for cooking techniques. 
http://www.amazon.com/Jacques-P%C3%A9pins-Complete-Techniques-P%C3%A9pin/dp/1579121659/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1291817042&sr=1-1

Supplement this book with 
The Professional Chef's Knife Kit
http://www.amazon.com/Professional-Chefs-Knife-Kit/dp/0471349976

This is actually one of the textbooks used at CIA:
The Professional Chef 
http://www.amazon.com/Professional-Chef-Culinary-Institute-America/dp/0764557343/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1291816410&sr=1-6
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You may also consider this reference book for cooking techniques. The following book is one of the most famous of reference books available. This is the book Julia Child learned from and struggled with as it was originally in French. It should also be one of her Bibles. 
Larousse Gastronomique
http://www.amazon.com/Larousse-Gastronomique-Prosper-Montagne/dp/0609609718/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1291816620&sr=1-3-spell

Speaking of Child, her books are fabulous as she introduced French cooking to America and has defined fine dining today:
Mastering the Art of French Cooking (2 Volume Set)
http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Art-French-Cooking-Set/dp/0307593525
Just know this. Her recipes are EXPENSIVE!

Once she polishes her skills, I would give her 
The Flavor Bible
http://www.amazon.com/Flavor-Bible-Essential-Creativity-Imaginative/dp/0316118400/ref=pd_sim_b_4
This book will help her create her own recipes though I strongly suggest she follows recipes and gets a hang in the kitchen before she goes experimenting.

And rather than her go to culinary arts school, advise her to look into apprenticing and working from the bottom. She will start off as a dishwasher and work her way up. Culinary arts school is expensive. But if you have the money, there is no school like Le Cordon Bleu in France. Getting your Grand Diplome there is like getting your degree from Harvard. That said its not hard to get in. As long as your are able to give up $52,000 (I believe), then you can get in. I will say this. People look for experience rather than that culinary arts diploma which is why I recommend the working her way up from a dishwasher method. The diploma is more of a vanity than a requirement.

Consider this equipment in the future:
Shun Bob Kramer Knife Set
http://www.surlatable.com/product/shun+bob+kramer+7-piece+knife+block+set.do?keyword=bob+kramer&sortby=ourPicks

Mauviel Professional Cookware
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/search/results.html?activeTab=products&words=mauviel+professional&cm_sp=OnsiteSearch-_-GlobalNav-_-Button
There is a  20% promo on cookware until Dec. 12.

For mixers, there is no mixer like Hobart Legacy Mixer. But if you can afford it, go for a Kitchenaid Professional.

As for food processors, go for a Cuisineart.

And for blenders, go for Vitamix.

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I need a teach yourself to cook class?

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