Cooking Classes Up North
Although we finally have enough snow to get out and enjoy the winter, the thought of staying inside to enjoy the tastes and aromas of good cooking, guided by the expertise of local chefs sounds pretty appealing too! Northern Michigan has plenty of cooking classes available for recreational cooks.
Have you gone to any cooking classes in the area? Tell us about it in the comments below. And let me know of any others to list here. In the meantime, here's a list to get you started!
Chateau Chantal
Traverse City
Nestled between two bays on the Old Mission Peninsula, Chateau Chantal offers a beautiful view with its cooking classes. Offered January through May by Nancy Allen, Perry Harmon and Les Hagaman, the current offerings include Country French, Italian Handmade Pastas and Sauces, Spanish Cooking/Tapas and Paella, Tuscany, Appetizers and Peti Desserts, Cuisine of Alsace, and Wine Dinners.
The Cooks' House
Traverse City
Chefs Jen and Eric offer a range of themed classes on Saturday mornings at their downtown restaurant, as well as private classes that can be customized to your needs. Next up is an Introduction to Curries on March 10, followed by Soups, Cinco de Mayo Celebration, East Indian Dinner, and A Walk Through the Farmers Market in June and July.
Crooked Tree Breadworks
Petoskey
Baguette 101, Scones, the Ultimate Sandwich, Appetizers, Dutch Oven Bread Making, Pies and Turnovers, and PIzza Party. How can you go wrong picking from a line-up like that? Classes are held Wednesday evenings at the bakery. For an insider look at a previous class, take a look at Mark Videan's The Ultimate Sandwich post.
Crystal Lake Art Center
Frankfurt
The Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts and the Northern Michigan Culinary Arts Community pair up to offer a Winter Cooking Series. Five classes will be held at the Oliver Art Center every other Saturday starting January 28. Classes include Preserving Foods; Dressings for your Greens; the Art of the Braise; The Pleasant Peasant: Hearty hand-held food for the common; and Indian Cooking.
The Homestead
Glen Arbor
Another beautiful destination spot on the "other" peninsula, the Leelanau, the Homestead offers cooking classes on Saturday mornings through March 3 (with the exception of Feb 18). Executive Chef John Piombo leads two types of classes: demonstrations and hands-on cooking classes. The Art of Making Gnocchi is the theme for next Saturday's class, followed by the Pastas of Italy, Scaloppine Four Ways, The Art of Risotto and The Cuisine of Genoa.
Oryana
Traverse City
Traverse City's food co-op offers a variety of evening classes this winter, including Meatless Monday, a Taste of Thailand, Gluten-Free Lunch, Raw Cuisine, a Vegan Feast, Pizza 101, and Easy Soups and Sides. Classes are held at the Grace Episcopal Church at 341 Washington Street in Traverse City.
Northwestern Michigan College
Traverse City
NMC offers culinary courses covering a big range of topics this winter, from sushi and Chinese dumplings, to vegetarian cooking, salads, pasties and sausage making. One highlight is the Winter Festival of Foods on February 18, when you can enjoy demonstrations and food discovery with NMC's culinary instructors, area chefs and specialty food businesses. Choose your favorite 4 workshops from 16 available options.
Pleasanton Brick Oven Bakery
Traverse City
Pleasanton offers a Natural Leavening for the Home Baker class where you learn to mix, shape, proof, and bake naturally leavened breads.
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