The Cook's Shop

It's one of our favorite styles of holiday entertaining -- tantalizing small bites, a glass or two of wine, and plenty of good company and conversation! Sometimes these gatherings are planned; at other times, they occur spontaneously. Either way, they're always fun occasions!

IN THIS ISSUE, we're setting the table with a few elegant, yet easy, appetizers that start the fun, or become the meal themselves. We have six mouthwatering recipes to inspire you: a Cranberry-Pistachio Cheese Ball, Artichoke, Spinach & Tomato Phyllo Cups, Cucumber Crostini with Whipped Feta & Olives, Sausage-stuffed Mini Potato Skins, Holiday Thyme Peas & Pepitas Crostini, and Broccoli-Cheddar Trees. Cheers to the season!

JANUARY 2015

SUPER BOWL PARTY FOOD

Tuesday, January 20, 2015 - 6:30pm, $40

Chad Winebrenner - Chef, Grand Point Conference Center
Chad is the Executive Chef at Grand Point Conference and Reception Center in Vienna. We welcome him to kick off our new year of classes. Catering is his specialty and he will bring some fresh ideas to our kitchen. Menu to be determined. Class is limited to 16.

JUST BAKLAVA

Saturday, January 24, 2015 - 2:00pm, $20

Gayle Shank - Cooking School Coordinator, The Cook's Shop

Gayle will teach the technique of working with phyllo, focusing on the traditional method of making baklava. Class is limited to 16.

MEATBALLS IN YOUR SOUP

Saturday, January 31, 2015 - 2:00pm, $40

Ellen Morgenthaler - Chef

Soups are a specialty of Ellen's. She'll show you how to make a fabulous Italian Wedding Soup, an Asian Meatball Soup, and share her secrets regarding various ingredients that are interchangeable in multiple soups. Ellen was a founding partner at the Levee House Café in 1983, followed by a long career at Rossi Pasta and DaVinci's Restaurant. Class is limited to 16.

FEBRUARY 2015

EDIBLE APHRODISIACS

Monday, February 2, 2015 - 6:30pm, $40

Dave Rudie - Chef, Da Vinci's
Just in time for Valentine's Day! Dave will present an array of dishes made from aphrodisiac foods including Oyster Fritters and a Salad with a Pomegranate Dressing. Full menu to be determined. Class is limited to 16.

AN ELEGANT DINNER FOR TWO

Wednesday, February 11, 2015 - 6:30pm, $45

Chad Winebrenner - Chef, Grand Point Conference Center
Looking for ideas for the perfect Valentine's Day dinner? Chad has you covered. Menu to be determined. Class is limited to 16.

TRADITIONAL GERMAN DINNER - Sold Out!

Monday, February 23, 2015 - 6:30pm, $40

Jamie Heydinger - Chef, House of Wines
Lederhosen encouraged, but not required! Jamie will be featuring Sauerbraten, Spaetzle, and more. Class is limited to 16.

MARCH 2015

DON'T BE SCARED OF SCALOPPINE

Tuesday, March 3, 2015 - 6:30pm, $50

Ellen Morgenthaler - Chef
Ellen will cover all of the basics in the preparation of Scaloppine including an Italian Chicken Piccata, an Indian Masala, a Bavarian Stroganoff/Smitane and a Veal Saltimbocca, a dish popular in southern Italy, Switzerland, Spain and Greece. You'll learn how to interchange meats and sauces to come up with an endless variety of tastes. Class is limited to 16.

STEW, BURGOO AND YOU

Monday, March 16, 2015 - 6:30pm, $40

Dave Rudie - Chef, Da Vinci's
A great class to learn the technique of braising. Dave will make Braised Lamb Osso Buco, A Burgoo (a spicy stew usually combining three different meats) and Jamaican Curried Goat with toasted spices, served over basmati rice.