Fall Cooking Along the Crooked Road Classes at Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center (

Cooking Along the Crooked Road, a culinary program at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, announces the Fall 2014 cooking classes. Culinary classes are taught by local chefs and accomplished cooks. These noncredit, hands-on enrichment classes are open to the public. Adult and youth classes are available and meet in the culinary kitchen at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon. Designated class times and fees for the new classes are listed in the description below. To see a more complete description of the classes scheduled for fall and to register online, please visit: www.swcenter.edu/cooking or, call the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center at 276-619-4301

September 8 6-9 pm Let’s Chop: Knife Skills 101 $35.00
Join Jennifer Raichlin as you learn to become friends with your own kitchen knife and use it properly and efficiently at home. Techniques such as batonnet, julienne, dice, mince and chiffonade will be covered as well as techniques for fancy garnishes. Finish with demonstrations of other kitchen gadgets as well as enjoying the fresh foods of your labor.

September 15 6-9 pm The Art of Jam and Jelly Making $35.00
Deni Peterson of Appalachian Sustainable Development will lead the class through the process of making and preserving the fruits of the season. She will concentrate on the hot water bath process with some fun new recipes. Students are asked to bring 2 ball jars to class to take home the fruits of their labor.

September 22 6-9 pm Cooking Fresh with Rivermyst Organic Farm $35.00
If you haven’t had the delicious products from Kiser family kitchen, you are missing out on a treat. Molly will bring their organic seasonal produce to the teaching kitchen to show simple and delicious ways to get creative with the freshest available local produce, meats, eggs and hand ground flours. Be prepared for an educational and delicious evening with the Kiser family.

September 27 9 am-noon Beginning Beer and Wine- Making $24.00
Joseph Wentz has been brewing and assisting brewers of beer and wine since 1972 and has combined both into one class for all anyone interested in taking up the hobby of making them at home. He will cover the processes, equipment tips and techniques as well as offer samples of some of delicious homebrewed beer and wine and paired snacks.

October 1-2 Uncorking Charlottesville: A Food and Wine Trip along the Monticello Wine Trail
For more information about this exciting overnight excursion to Charlottesville visit our website at www.swcenter.edu/cooking or call 276-619-4301. Limited to 25 participants.

October 6 6-9pm Cooking From the Book: A Trip to The Beach : Living on Island Time $35.00
Chef Catherine Elliot will begin the first in a series of read and cook from the book classes. This series will offer one class each season. The book chosen for fall is “A Trip to the Beach: Living on Island Time.” The book is filled with calamities, comedy, disasters and triumphs and is a true story of a husband and wife who escape civilization to build a small restaurant on an island paradise. The class will work together to prepare some of Catherine’s favorite Caribbean recipes from the book. Join in for a night of lively discussion and good food.

October 11 10 am-12:30pm Let the Kids Do It: Youth Party Planning Class $24.00
Hey, Kids! Ever wanted to have the coolest parties in town? Do you love to plan parties for friends and family? Beth Wright, the ultimate party planner will spend a morning with youth, ages 10-14, to help with planning, recipes and great ideas for all kinds of parties. While sipping and munching what you’ve made, you’ll get down to planning the party! Parents, let the kids do the planning and be amazed with the results.

October 13 6-9 pm The Jewels of Fall: Amazing Vegetables $35.00
Whether we realize it or not, the fall season brings with it some of the most nutritious and delicious of all vegetables. Kimberly Evans of Moveable Feast will bring some exciting new dishes to your kitchen using these garden jewels . Winter squash, pumpkins, kale and sweet potatoes are just a few items that she will use to make delicious meals (with meat and without), sides and desserts.

October 20 6-9 pm Classic German $35.00
Join Ingrid Carter from Gasthaus Edelweiss to learn to cook some of Germany’s traditional dishes. During this hands-on class, Ingrid will talk about German cooking and share some of the special recipes from her well-known restaurant and her homeland. German foods offer comfort and flavor and are based on a long culinary history!

October 27 6-9 Soup Season Begins $35.00
Soup season is upon us and Melissa Gleason, 1st place winner of the Great Winter Soup Cook Off, and owner of Me and K’s will share some of her most popular soup recipes. She will discuss how to prepare stocks, how to season with spices and herbs and how to keep your family healthy and happy this winter. The class will work together to create three of Melissa’s favorites.

November 3 6-9pm Cooking Raw: Beginnings and Endings $35.00
Jennifer Raichlin, Raw Culinary Associate Chef and owner of Healing Meals will concentrate on healthy “raw” appetizers and desserts just in time for the holidays. She will discuss the health benefits of choosing “raw” foods as well as their special importance at this time of year. You will create delicious appetizers and desserts suitable for any family gathering, church potluck, or elegant dinner parties.

November 8 9am-noon Gluten Free Holiday Baking $35.00
Join Kristy Slaughter, the Gluten Free Guru, to learn tips and tricks for turning traditional holiday baked goods into delicious, gluten free, holiday treats. Being gluten free doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your favorite foods and Kristi will teach you how to convert conventional recipes to gluten free masterpieces.

November 17 6-9pm Four and Twenty Blackbirds: Pies for the Holidays $35.00
The holidays are coming and what better time to hone your pie making skills with Francine Ivery as she shares some exciting new recipes. Learn how to make the perfect basic crust as well as some unique new crusts. Students will use traditional holiday ingredients to make three new delicious pies. Participants will bake their own mini pies to take home to freeze for Thanksgiving.

December 1 6-9 pm Holiday Bazaar: Gifts from the Kitchen $35.00
What better way to share holiday cheer than foodie gifts from your own kitchen! Join Kelli Mehl of Mehl’s Bakery in learning to make homemade biscotti, coffee- can bread, mini muffin trees, Christmas morning pinwheels and more. Put together your own bread mix for an instant gift. As an added treat, Kelli will have Mehl’s pickles, jams, peanut better and other specialty items for sampling and purchase.

December 8 6-9 pm Festive and Healthy Holiday Appetizers $35.00
Sheridan Nice of Mona Lisa’s Cafe in Johnson City will create delicious and healthy appetizers that will please both the palate and the eye and surely be the talk of any holiday gathering. Sheridan will include entertaining tips as well as suggestions about how to display your party foods and use garnishing to create festive plates. Get ready to wow your friends and family with some new recipes!

For further information and registration:
www.swcenter.edu/cooking or 276 619-4300