What’s a “cooking party”—and why should you join us?

A picture is worth a thousand words, so here’s a glimpse of our October 30 "cooking party," where guest chef Kayla Lammy led a lively group of student cooks through a 2.5-hour, fully hands-on culinary adventure. We chopped, mixed, boiled, sautéed, kneaded, assembled, and baked our way to a feast that several students called the “best class they’ve ever attended.”

Together, we made fresh mozzarella from scratch; fresh pasta with flour, eggs, and water; stuffed ravioli by hand; shaved Brussels sprouts into a roasted vegetable salad; and finished off the evening with a luscious "Dirty Chai Tiramisu" for dessert. It truly was a party to remember (see even more pictures). 

Even if you missed the class, you can still cook along. All kitchen-tested recipes from every class—including all of Kayla’s dishes—are available on my website, organized by cuisine. There are now over 200 streamlined, easy-to-follow recipes ready for you to download anytime.

Since launching the PRINCIPLES OF ETHNIC COOKING series in 2022, our students have traveled the world through food, exploring over 24 different cuisines, including several that are hard to find in Champaign-Urbana. Last semester alone, we sampled dishes from Georgia, the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and from Oaxaca, the southernmost region of Mexico known for its bold, vibrant flavors.

Next semester, we’ll journey to Vietnam, India, and Russia. Have a cuisine you’re eager to explore? ** Send me your requests—I’d love to hear them!

And don’t forget to tell your friends to subscribe to this newsletter—they’ll be the first to know about new classes, guest chefs, and upcoming cooking parties.

More information about my cooking classes and pop-up events can always be found on my website, where you'll also find over 200 recipes from my classes (no ads!). You can also subscribe to my email newsletter or follow me on Instagram or Facebook and like my posts. Bon appétit!