Cooking classes at The Seasonal Cook are small (most are limited to a maximum of ten students) to ensure that everyone is close to the action. During demonstration classes, everyone is seated comfortably at the granite- topped work island where they watch the preparation of three or more courses which are served with a glass of wine. The chef demonstrates each recipe step-by-step in a relaxed environment where questions are encouraged. Every student learns the techniques behind the recipes and, with the detailed recipes provided, goes home with the confidence and know-how to try them on their own.
In addition to demonstration classes, The Seasonal Cook offers hands-on classes in which customers don an apron, roll up their sleeves and get to work. Hands-on classes are designated with the HANDS-ON! notation just below the class date.
Summer 2008 at the Seasonal Cook
Our cooking classes have always focused on using foods when they are at their best - in season. This summer is no different, with summer classes running the gamut from appetizers to salads to elegant dinner parties. But, this summer, we're also featuring three special series of classes - two new, and one old favorite - that will celebrate local, artisanal foods, and will offer you the opportunity to broaden and deepen your knowledge about and appreciation of foods produced in this area. In all of these series, we will include tastings of wines from nearby First Colony, Oakencroft and White Hall wineries.
The returning favorite is the Market Basket Dinner series taught by Ingrid Berger. Each of these four-course classes will feature produce, meats and dairy foods selected by Ingrid on the morning of the class at the Charlottesville City Market to ensure they are the best and freshest.
One of the new series is called "Behind the Scenes at the Main Street Market". In each of these three classes, you will meet with one of the vendors at the Market who will give you a behind-the-scenes look at how and where their products are produced. Then, back at The Seasonal Cook, Marisa Catalano will prepare three dishes using products from that market vendor followed by a dessert sampler from The Albemarle Baking Company.
"Eat Fresh, Eat Local" is the name of our third locally focused series that features produce from Horse & Buggy Produce, a local CSA, as well as foods of some of our favorite local producers. Each class will start with a cheese and wine tasting followed by a cooking class featuring local produce and meats.
Market Basket Dinner class series
Behind the Scenes at the Main Street Market class series
Eat Fresh, Eat Local cooking class series
Summer seasonal classes
Hands-On Knife Skills Workshop
Class Arrangements
About Our Teachers
To register for classes, please call 434-295-9355.
CLASS ARRANGEMENTS
Payment in full is required to reserve space in a class. At the class, you will receive a Cooking Class Discount Certificate good for a one-time 10% discount on the purchase of regularly priced products valid during and for one week after the class (does not apply to special orders or sale items). Teachers reserve the right to alter menus due to seasonal availability of ingredients. The Seasonal Cook reserves the right to cancel any class due to insufficient enrollment. If a class is cancelled, we will contact you by phone and transfer your fee to another class of your choice or refund your fee. If you cancel at least forty-eight hours before a class, you will receive a class credit to apply to another class (sorry, no refunds). If you cancel less than forty-eight hours before a class, you will receive a class credit only if The Seasonal Cook is able to fill your place in class.
