Cooking School

The Secret is Out!
Date: Mon, March 26 | Time: 6-8 p.m. | Cost: $60
Yes, our wonderful friend Chef Peter Fontaine is back! Tonight he will prepare a hearty and delicious breakfast for dinner. As always his recipes will impress and inspire you! On the menu: Sausage Biscuits, Chili Sweet Potato Hash with Fried Eggs and Salsa, Egg and Salmon Enchiladas and Smoked Haddock Kedgeree and Guiness Pancakes with Molasses.

Thai Dinner
Date: Wed, March 28 | Time: 6-8 p.m. | Cost: $60
Warm up on a late winter's night with a delectable Thai Coconut Soup. Then learn how to make Chef Sara Gillespie's Curried Chicken Dish, which is replete with Vegetables and served over Herbed Rice. A vegetarian option will be discussed as well. Mango Pudding will be a cool and refreshing ending to this exotic menu.

Dine & Shop: Sausages & Salumi
Date: Mon, April 2 | Time: 6-8 p.m. | Cost: $60
Lisa Brisch will incorporate delicious artisanal sausages and salumi from Maiale Deli and Salumeria for this special evening. Billy Rawstrom, chef/owner of Maiale, will accompany Lisa to discuss his wonderful products, and there will be an opportunity to purchase them during the class. On the menu: Salumi Tasting Platter, Spring Mix Green Salad with Goat Cheese, Sauteed Pancetta and Vinaigrette Dressing, Chicken Marsala Sausage Risotto with Spinach and Parmagiano Cheese and for dessert, Candied Bacon with Ice Cream and Caramel Sauce.

Tasting History
Date: Mon, April 16 | Time: 6-8 p.m. | Cost: $60
Where are we in history tonight (culinarily speaking)? Peter Fontaine presents an authentic fine dining experience including Peanut Soup, Eggs en Croquette, Onion Pie, Cabbage with Onions, Carolina Fish Muddle, Ale Braised Beef and Cracknels with Ice Cream. Anyone guessing colonial Williamsburg?

Exploring the Sights and Flavors of Brooklyn
Date: Wed, April 18 | Cost: $160
Our Spring excursion takes us back to Brooklyn where we will visit and enjoy scenic vistas and culinary landmarks. Our professional guide will help us navigate the interesting multicultural neighborhoods that will endear you to Brooklyn, the "new" Manhattan, as it experiences a rekindled love of ethnic food. Atlantic Avenue will be the first stop, comprised of several Middle Eastern bakeries and grocery stores. This is a great time to pick up fragrant and exotic spices! We will sample feta and spinach pies in one of the bakeries. Next, think everything Italian! Enjoy, prosciutto balls as we wander Court Street in Carroll Garden. Time for lunch here as you stroll among many coffee shops, delis, butchers and groceries. And last, but not least, Brooklyn Bridge Park and the DUMBO neighborhood will leave a lasting impression. You will especially enjoy mudslide cookies from renowned chocolatier, Jacques Tores. Bring your cameras, as well as your appetite for fine food and fun! We'll depart the store parking lot at 7:30 a.m. sharp after coffee at the Back Burner To Go. As always, we'll travel on our comfortable coach with ample room to store coolers for your perishable souvenirs. The bus will depart Brooklyn between 5 and 5:30 p.m.

Sara's Kitchen
Date: Wed, April 25 | Time: 6-8 p.m. | Cost: $60
Sara Gillespie's creativity and zeal for cooking will have you racing to the kitchen! For example, get the recipe and enjoy a delightful Mixed Green Salad with Lemoncello Dressing, Goat Cheese, Pineapple, Berries and Candied Walnuts. Then try Sara's Viva Verde Soup, full of veggies, beans, healthy greens and turkey sausage, finished with parmesan cheese. And for dessert, enjoy a spectacular Banana Toffee Dream Pie. Need we say more?!

Dine & Shop: Spice It Up!
Date: Mon, April 30 | Time: 6-8 p.m. | Cost: $60
Chef Lisa Brisch is launching her own line of custom spices through Stonefly Spice Company, owned by Michael Stout. Tonight's menu will showcase these flavorful spice blends which Lisa and Michael will discuss and have available for sale during the class. Dinner tonight will include delicious Mini Crab Cakes, Mixed Greens Salad, Braised Pork Loin with Creole Spiced Rice and Roasted Carrots. Dessert will be Apple Turnovers. Enjoy this fun cooking class where you can conveniently pick up new spices for your kitchen!

Viva Argentina!
Date: Mon, May 21 | Time: 6-8 p.m. | Cost: $60
Taste buds will tango tonight! Enjoy Quince Paste with Manchego Cheese, Navy Bean and Corn Soup (Carbonatto Creolla), Garbanzo Flatbread (Faina), Cumin Pork and Sweet Potato Stew and Dulce de Leche Pionons. Ole, chef Peter Fontaine for this flavorful feast.

Crab Feast Celebration
Date: Wed, May 30 | Time: 6-8 p.m. | Cost: $65
Perhaps you love crabs but are a bit intimidated as to how to prepare and serve them? Or are you a crab connoisseur? Either way, let George Esterling, of George and Sons Seafood, cook you up a batch tonight. He will discuss how to shop for, prepare and pick crabs and make a top secret "Sip and Dip" Sauce to accompany them. Coleslaw, beer and wine will be available.

Summer Pizza Party!
Date: Wed, June 6 | Time: 6-8 p.m. | Cost: $40
Join us for an al fresco evening of delectable artisanal pizza prepared by Matt Hans, chef/owner of Wood Fired Pizza. Your pizzas will be baked in a handmade, wood burning stove imported from Italy. The stove sits on a delightful bright red 1956 Ford flatbed truck! Salad, dessert and wine will complete your dinner of several handcrafted pizzas incorporating spring and summer ingredients. Techniques and recipes for the best-pizza-ever will be presented.

Sizzling-Good Southwestern Dinner
Date: Mon, June 4 | Time: 6-8 p.m. | Cost: $60
Chef Lisa Brisch's culinary background is authentic southwestern cooking from Scottsdale, Arizona. Learn some new regional cooking techniques and enjoy this flavorful dinner. Lisa will start with Southwestern Shrimp Toasts and a lovely Tortilla Soup. Your entree will be the best Beef Enchiladas and Roasted Corn and Beans. Mexican Chocolate Creme Brulee will be a tasty ending to the evening.