Cooking Classes

2018 Schedule

My classes are held in a number of different venues. It is important to register early so you won’t be shut out. Most classes are demonstrations with plenty of food for tasting and recipes to take home. Some are hands-on. Registration fees vary from one location to the next. Food fees are payable to me the night of the class. Unless otherwise noted all evening classes are from 7-9 pm. Please bring containers along so you can take leftovers home with you.

Mentor

Mentor classes are held at Wildwood Cultural Center at 7645 Little Mountain Road. Unless otherwise noted all Mentor classes are held on Tuesdays. You can register online at CityofMentor/play or by phone at 440 974 5720 from Cleveland call 440 942 8796.

Classes in Mentor sell out quickly. Please be sure to ask to go on the waiting list if the class you want to attend is full. We do get openings and if there are enough people on the waiting list we can always schedule an additional session. Cost to residents is $14, non-resident fee is $17. That does not include the food fee paid to me the night of the class. Unless noted- all evening Mentor classes are on Tuesdays.

Aug. 7: Canning 101: Canning, when done correctly, is a safe and relatively easy way to preserve food for later use. This class is all about learning the newest rules of canning. You will learn when to use a water bath and when a pressure canner is needed. We’ll discuss what foods are the easiest to can and even the foods that no one should can at home. We’ll also do some tasting in class of home canned foods. Food Fee: $8.00

Aug 14: Totally Terrific Tomatoes: They are powerhouses of nutrition and very versatile. Fresh, cooked or dried they can be used in salads, sauces, soups and more. In class we will learn how to make the most of this tasty food. You will also learn how to preserve fresh tomatoes by dehydrating, freezing and canning. Plenty to sample in class and recipes for home. Food Fee $8.00

Aug 21: Pickle Barrel: From old-fashioned crock pickles to pickled peaches this class will teach all you need to know to make tasty pickled products for home and gifts. You’ll get to taste several pickled products and learn how to use them in cooking. You’ll get recipes for cucumbers and other pickles. You also learn how to make tasty relishes including one that uses up all those green tomatoes. There will also be recipes for home. Food Fee $8.00.

Aug. 28: Food Dehydrating: The oldest known method of food preservation is dehydrating. If you have a garden, a dehydrator or both come to class and learn how to get the most out summer’s harvest. We’ll discuss methods, safety and storage. From sun-dried tomatoes to vegetable soup mix and jerkies (including tofu jerky!) you’ll get a lot of ideas on how to dry food and how to use dried foods. You’ll get to taste several dishes in class and will have recipes for home. Food Fee$8.00.

Sep 11:Coffeehouse Treats: We all love to eat them and we all pay outrageous prices for them. Why not learn how to make some of these tasty treats at home? From bear claws to biscotti, coffeecakes and much more you will earn how to make them all. You will get plenty of recipes and a lot of samples in class. Food Fee $9.00

Sep. 18: 5 or Fewer: If you are tired of recipes with long ingredient lists try this class. All the recipes use 5 or fewer ingredients. Mostly main dishes and sides there are also some delectable desserts. Learn to make dinner simply, often using items you can have on hand and by using some convenience foods. Food Fee $9.00.

Sep. 25: Southern Comfort: No matter where you live you have probably enjoyed some of the wonderful dishes from this regional cuisine. With long growing seasons and a rich multicultural heritage Southern cooking combines simple, classic dishes and homey favorites. From grits to praline this class will give you the chance to taste an array of dishes with many more recipes for home. Food Fee $9.00

Oct. 2: Apples and Pears: While available throughout the year these tasty fruits are certainly at there best in autumn. They are very versatile and can be used in desserts, baked goods and even in main dishes. In class you’ll learn about many of the varieties on the market and about many ways to use them. There will also be a section on freezing for later use. Plenty to sample in class and recipes for home. Food Fee $8.00

Oct. 9: Soup’s On: What could be nicer than a simmering pot of homemade soup? In this class you’ll learn how to make wonderful soups staring with how to make stock from scratch. You’ll get to taste Tomato Bisque and Cabbage Soup along with Bean and Barley. There will plenty of recipes to take home, too. Food Fee $9.00

Oct 16: Won Tons : These little squares and circles of dough are for more than just soup. Easy to work with and versatile they can be transformed in minutes into appetizers, main dishes, sides dishes and desserts. No time to cook- wontons may be the answer. In class we’ll learn how to roll and fold them to make many dishes including Crab Rolls, Chicken Chowder Bites, Pumpkin Ravioli, Cheddar Bacon Rolls, Pot Stickers, Chocolate Fried Pies and so many more. Some hands-on in this class. Food Fee $8.00

Oct. 30: Trick or Treat: Halloween is one of the most popular holidays in America today. If you are planning a party don’t miss this class. You’ll learn how to make ghoulish goodies and boo-tiful decorations. For children and adults alike this class will give you plenty of ideas to make your Halloween party a howling success. Food Fee $8.00.

Nov. 6: Wok This Way: Stir-frying can be a fun and fast way to prep dinner. With wok cooking vegetables are still crisp and colorful and you haven’t spent the whole evening in the kitchen. It also does not need to be only Asian-style dishes. In class you’ll learn to cook like a pro with a wok in dishes from all over the world. There will be plenty to taste in class and recipes for home. Food Fee: $9.00

Nov. 13: Turkey 101: If making Thanksgiving dinner makes you nervous this could be the class for you. From making a timeline and cooking the perfect turkey to mouth-watering side dishes and desserts you will be taught how to make a dinner that would make a pilgrim proud. There will be plenty to taste and take home (come hungry) and recipes for all the dishes. Food Fee: $9.00

Nov. 27: Cookies, Cookies, Cookies: What could be friendlier than a plate of fresh baked cookies? In class you’ll get hands-on experience making both traditional and innovative cookies including Holiday Fans, Ginger Cookies, Snow People and many more. Bring an apron and baking sheet and be prepared to have a sweet time. There will be cookies to take home and recipes, too. Food Fee $9.00

Dec. 11: Holiday Baking: Create that home for the holiday feeling by learning how to bake some traditional favorites. You’ll also learn how to bake some less-traditional foods, too. There will be several treats to sample in class including tree-shaped sweet rolls and cheese puffs. Use of these goodies as gifts will also be discussed. Many recipes to take home. Food Fee $9.00

Fairview Hospital Wellness Center

Located at 3035 Wooster Rd., in Rocky River, the Wellness Center is operated by Fairview Hospital, a Cleveland Clinic hospital. Unless otherwise noted classes here are on Mondays. For more information, or to register for classes, visit fairviewhospital.org/wellnesscenter or call 440-356-0670.

2018

June 25: Jams and Jelly: Making homemade jams and jellies can be very rewarding and fun, too. You’ll learn the basics of jams, jellies, preserves, conserves and marmalades. There will be food to sample in class and everyone will have a jar of preserves to take home. Recipes included. Food Fee $9.00.

Aug. 6: Canning 101: Canning, when done correctly, is a safe and relatively easy way to preserve food for later use. This class is all about learning the newest rules of canning. You will learn when to use a water bath and when a pressure canner is needed. We’ll discuss what foods are the easiest to can and even the foods that no one should can at home. We’ll also do some tasting in class of home canned foods. Food Fee: $8.00

Aug 13: Totally Terrific Tomatoes: They are powerhouses of nutrition and very versatile. Fresh, cooked or dried they can be used in salads, sauces, soups and more. In class we will learn how to make the most of this tasty food. You will also learn how to preserve fresh tomatoes by dehydrating, freezing and canning. Plenty to sample in class and recipes for home. Food Fee $8.00

Aug 20: Pickle Barrel: From old-fashioned crock pickles to pickled peaches this class will teach all you need to know to make tasty pickled products for home and gifts. You’ll get to taste several pickled products and learn how to use them in cooking. You’ll get recipes for cucumbers and other pickles. You also learn how to make tasty relishes including one that uses up all those green tomatoes. There will also be recipes for home. Food Fee $8.00.

Aug. 27: Food Dehydrating: The oldest known method of food preservation is dehydrating. If you have a garden, a dehydrator or both come to class and learn how to get the most out summer’s harvest. We’ll discuss methods, safety and storage. From sun-dried tomatoes to vegetable soup mix and jerkies (including tofu jerky!) you’ll get a lot of ideas on how to dry food and how to use dried foods. You’ll get to taste several dishes in class and will have recipes for home. Food Fee$8.00.

Tea Time | Monday, Sept. 10 | 7 to 9 p.m.