This fall, the Culinary Center at Mercer County Community College is set to present a variety of classes to add sizzle to any menu.
Offered through MCCC’s Center for Continuing Studies, culinary classes are held Saturdays and Sundays on the college’s West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. Courses feature demonstrations by the chefs, hands-on practice and sampling of the dishes prepared.
Classes scheduled for September include “Room for Shrooms” with Chef Meghan Cattani 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sept. 20, followed by “30-Minute Meals” with Chef Benson Yu 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 21.
October kicks off with “From Sauce to Salsa” with Chef Catanni on Oct. 4 from 9 a.m. to noon. Next is Chef Yu’s new “Main Course Salads” scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m Oct. 5.
Chef Bill Conrad is set to teach two courses Oct. 11, starting the day with “Fish” from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., followed by “Knife Skills” from 2 to 5 p.m. “Knife Skills” class is set to repeated 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Dec. 6.
Next up is What a Crock!” with Chef Cattani scheduled for 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Oct. 18; and “Sushi 101” with Chef Yu from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 29; and “Soups On!” with Chef Conrad from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 25.
New in November is “Red Hot Fire and Spice!” with Chef Yu, set for 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 2. Next up, Chef Conrad presents “Poultry” 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 8, followed by Chef Cattani’s “Playing with Pasta” 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Nov. 15.
Participants can prepare for holiday feasting with four special classes: “Holiday Cocktail Party Italian Style” with Chef Cattani 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Nov. 1; “Global Shell Fish Feast” with Chef Yu 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 16; “Holiday Cookies” with Chef Cattani on 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Nov. 22; and the new “Holiday Culinary Hostess Gifts” with Chef Yu on 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 7.
On Wednesday evenings, instructor Bruce Smith is set to present an all-new Wine Regions of the World series: “Italian White Wines” Sept. 17; “Meritage Wines” Oct. 1; “Sherry Wines” Oct. 8; “Sparkling Wines Including Champagne” Oct. 15; and “Better Chateauneuf du Pape” Oct. 22. Classes are scheduled for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and include a discussion of the styles, appellations, climates, food pairings and recommended producers; a wine tasting concludes each class. Participants must be at least 21 years of age.
More information is online at mccc.edu/ccs.
