2026 Schedule
It is important to register early so you won’t be shut out. Most classes are hands-on with plenty of food for tasting and recipes to take home. 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 or 440 974 5735.
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 $18, non-resident fee is $21. That does not include the food fee paid to me the night of the class. Unless noted- all evening Mentor classes are on Tuesdays.
Note: During the summer months I teach cooking camps with kids, so there are fewer adult classes.
June 23: Dinner Salads: Sometimes the best summer meal is a salad. In this class you will learn how to turn a salad into a complete meal. We’ll make salads with meat and meat free salads. You’ll get some fun twists on old classic recipes, too. We will create salads that are light and still a satisfying meal. Food Fee: $10.00
June 30: Cooking with Herbs: Cooking with herbs (and spices) can enhance even the simplest of foods. It can also be a way to reduce the use of salt in cooking. In this class you’ll learn the basics of cooking with herbs, both fresh and dried. Buying, preserving and storing herbs will be discussed as well as extending their shelf life. There will be a cooking demo and plenty of food to taste and recipes to take home. Instructor’s cookbook will also be available. Food Fee $10.00.
Aug. 4 Ice Cream and Frozen Desserts: If you love ice cream, sorbets and all sorts of frozen treats you will love this class. In class we will make a variety of frozen treats. Some require an ice cream machine, but others don’t. You will also learn the magic of malt in custards and ice cream. Food Fee $10.00.
Aug. 11: Cheesecakes: America’s favorite dessert. At least by some accounts. In class you’ll learn how to make perfect cheesecake every time. There will sample to enjoy in class and plenty of recipes to take home including cheesecake from the Russian Tearoom, Frozen Mocha Cheesecake and even a reduced fat recipe. Food Fee $10.00.
August 18: 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: $10.00
Aug. 25: Make Your Own Mixes: Are you tired of paying high prices for prepackaged mixes? Did you know that you can many of these mixes at home yourself? In class you’ll learn how to make cocoa mix, biscuit mix, cake mixes, salad dressings and much more. We’ll even make marshmallows! Plenty to sample in class and recipes to take home. Food Fee $10.00
Sep 15: Biscotti: These crispy treats are wonderful dunked in coffee or all on their own. The flavor combinations are almost endless. In class you’ll get to make several different biscotti and learn tips to make biscotti fun and easy to bake. You’ll also have lots of recipes for home. Food Fee $10.00
Sep 22: Asian Take Out : In this class you will learn how to make some of your favorite take out dishes. Lo Mein, Sweet and Sour Pork or Chicken, Orange Beef, Fried Rice, WonTon Soup, Crab Rangoons are just some of the recipes you will get to take home. We will be making several of the dishes in class. Food Fee $10.00
Sep 29: A World of Dumplings: The word dumpling means different things to different people. Dumplings can be noodle like spaetzle, soft bready biscuits sitting on top of stew or Asian dough filled with any number of ingredients. In this class we will explore all sorts of foods that fall under the category of “dumpling”. Food Fee: $10.00.
Oct 6: Baking with Puff Pastry: Puff pastry can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. In this class you will learn how to make your own puff pastry in just a few minutes. We’ll also make both sweet and savory dishes. If you thought puff pastry is hard to work with, this class will show you just how easy it can be. Food Fee $10.00
Oct. 13: Fabulous Phyllo: This paper thin dough is the base for so many wonderful dishes. Phyllo is for more than Baklava. You can make any number of sweet and savory dishes including baklava, cookies, cheesy appetizers, nutty rolls and more. Have fun in class making assorted dishes with this versatile ingredient. Food Fee $10.
Oct 20: Doughnuts, Fritters and Other Fried Treats: Fried dough is a treat enjoyed in many cultures throughout the world. In this class, you will learn how to make all sorts of fried goodies- doughnuts, fritters, churros and more. You be making them in class and taking plenty of recipes home with you. Food Fee $10.00
Oct. 27: Bread Baking: Nothing beats the aroma of fresh baked bread. In this class you’ll learn how to bake a perfect loaf of bread every time. There will be a demonstration of braiding bread and shaping dinner rolls. You’ll also see a loaf of yeast bread that can be made in one hour! Plenty to taste in class and recipes to take home. Food Fee $10.00.
Nov. 3: Pies, Tarts, Quiches and Other Flaky Treats: Learn how to make a perfect pie, quiche and tart every time. You will get recipes for several types of crusts including sweet, savory, low fat, no-bake and even a yeast raised crust. Learn how to pair up the right crusts with fillings. There will be recipes for fruit and cream pies, quiches and hints from a baker’s daughter. Food Fee $10.00
Nov. 10: Classic Appetizers : Good appetizers can set the mood for the whole evening. They can be fast and easy or quite complex. In this class they will be generally easy to make. Recipes include Crab Mousse, Brie with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Pesto, Rueben Dip and more. You’ll also get party planning tips and plenty of samples to taste in class. There will also be recipes to take home. Food Fee $10.00
Nov. 17:Sauces for All Occasions: From pasta to meat and vegetable dishes this class will give you plenty of recipes for spicing up your food with sauces. From basics to the exotic you will get a chance to taste several easy to make sauces that are sure to please. If you are looking for ways to make dinner more interesting you might want to check out this class. Food Fee: $10.00
Dec. 1: Gifts from the Kitchen: Homemade gifts are always appreciated. They are also more personal than store bought gifts. In class you’ll get lots and lots of ideas on easy homemade gifts from food. You will also work on a hands-on project and will have samples to taste in class. Lots of recipes to take home. Materials Fee $10.00
Dec. 8: 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 $10.00
Dec. 15: 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 $10.00
[…] This is another one that I based on a recipe from Judi Strauss, which I got from one of her Beachwood classes. […]
[…] Judi Strauss of The Charmed Kitchen has a big bunch of classes this month, including making jams and jellies, and cooking with tomatoes and mushrooms. […]