Style File: Star Cooks

WSVN -- The star of this cooking class, oysters. Other than slurping them down, most of us don't have a clue what to do with them.

Chef David Bracha: "Oysters are one of the items that people are afraid of."

Who better to teach us than Chef David Bracha from the River Oyster Bar? Starting in February, he'll hold small classes on how to shuck and jive, everything from choosing oysters to cooking them different ways.

Chef David Bracha: "It's for people who love oysters but feel like they have to go to a restaurant to enjoy them."

You'll also learn how to pair oysters with different wines, champagne and even beer to bring out the flavor.

Edgar Pierre: "I like to drink beer now knowing which oysters go with beer. I can enjoy that more."

But the real trick of the class is learning how to pry open those darn things.

Chef David Bracha: "The real key is to lodge the knife into the back part of the oyster and make sure it's firmly in there before you try to open it."

Aileen Gonzalez: "I thought it was going to be difficult, but, in the end, I found it was not at all. It was fun."

If your wish is to be a star in the kitchen, Chef Michael Beloise at Wish Restaurant in South Beach is here to grant it.

Michael Beloise: "I am inviting a student to come behind the curtain and see what goes on behind the scenes."

He's now hosting Behind the Curtain, a chance to go behind the scenes and cook with him for a day.

Michael Beloise: "They are going to come and see the dishes we actually make at the restaurant, so if there is something that interests them, we are going to go through the whole thing."

You'll work one-on-one with the chef from four to seven in the evening. He'll teach you how to make whatever you want from start to finish.

Melinda Weeks: "I loved it. It was so much fun. He asked me what I wanted to learn about, I said, 'fish.' I love to cook, but fish is kind of a difficult thing for me."

Once you're done, it's time to show off. You and a guest will sit down in the restaurant's garden to feast on your meal.

Melinda Weeks: "I am excited to try it and show off what I can do now."

That's a wish come true.

Belkys Nerey: "The Behind the Curtain package costs $300. That includes the cooking experience and the actual dinner paired with wine. For the oyster shucking classes, call the River Oyster Bar to reserve your spot."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

The River Oyster Bar
650 South Miami Avenue
Miami, FL 33130
Tel: (305) 530-1915

Wish At The Hotel
801 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Reservations: Please call 305-674-9474