Epicurean DIY à la Park City
Whatever it is, Parkites want it at its best. Sports, business, community, etc. – we all work hard to make sure we’ve given it our very best effort. That goes for food too. Sure, our town boasts some of the best restaurants in the country, but that’s not good enough – we want great food at home too. To that end, our little town with a population of a village supports not just one, but several cooking schools. True to P.C. style, these are not only enormously fun, they also ignite our highly creative imaginations and taste buds to achieve DIY gourmet in our home’s kitchens.
Eat Well, Cook Well, Be Well
Mindful Cuisine is the brainchild of Linda Elbert, an accomplished chef who graduated from Laguna Culinary Arts with distinction. To express her passion for gourmet farm-to-table cuisine and her growing love for Park City’s tight-knit community life, Chef Elbert created cooking classes rooted the idea that good food brings good people together. She offers classes for anyone of any skill level that reveal the inner epicurean in each of us. Focusing on unprocessed, locally sourced ingredients that are fresh, full of flavor and nutrition, Linda not only teaches the necessary kitchen skills, but also sparks the heartfelt joy of preparing healthy food for your whole family.
“These three-hour cooking classes are the perfect date night too. Where else can you and your significant other enjoy a spectacular meal and take home the know-how to do it yourself. Even better, you leave with a new circle of friends who share your enthusiasm for great food,” said Suzanne Harris.
Getting Schooled In Great Food
We’re proud of Park City’s award-winning school district for many reasons, not the least of which is that they provide our children with a great education. But, they don’t stop at our kids – PCSD wants all of us to enjoy life-long learning. Their Compass/Leisure Learning classes are short courses, and among the most popular are on cooking. In May they’re offering four weeks of one-night courses: Artful Appetizers, Asian Fusion, Avocado Madness, and Artisan Chocolates.
“PCSD continues to amaze me with their efforts to bring education to what matters most to us … and great food is certainly in that category!” said Dena Fleming. “How many dishes can you make from avocados? I’ve no idea, but I’m eager to find out!”
Smart as a Fox
Fox School of Wine, created by Kirsten Fox in 2008, seeks to inspire a thirst (so to speak) in their students for the whole experience that is wine. Nothing completes a great meal like an expertly paired wine, and a little education in this ancient art goes a long way. What wine should you pair with the Spinach Ricotta Gnocchi you learned to cook at Mindful Cuisine? Should you choose a chardonnay or a merlot to have with the chocolates you learned to make at PCSD’s Compass/Leisure Learning class? Fox School of Wine will teach you how to decide on these “meal-maker” choices.
“Whether it’s a girls night out or a genuine academic interest, the Fox School of Wine is the best place in Park City to expand your tastes for wine,” said Ann MacQuoid. “Mac and I own a winery, but we’ve learned about enjoying it from Fox School of Wine.”
All of us at Chin MacQuoid Fleming Harris join you in celebrating our love of all things Park City, especially great food. We hope you’ll don your aprons and meet us in one of the many cooking classes offered around town. Bon Appetite!
