Savory Spoon Cooking School, Ellison Bay
The Savory Spoon caters to the home cook who wants to learn by experience. Chef and owner Janice Thomas guides students through a 3-hour evening that includes a demonstration for techniques and tips followed by actual hands-on cooking, chopping and learning. Students are rewarded for their work with a full meal they have prepared and the confidence to replicate the same meal at home. The Savory Spoon is located in a 160-year historic schoolhouse turned fully-modern kitchen and classroom. Sessions range from global cuisine to Door County’s own unique flavors and ingredients. The school is open June through October offering evening classes that start at about $50 per person.
Washington Hotel, Restaurant, & Culinary School, Washington Island
Visitors to the historic Washington Hotel, can relax, hike, fish, boat -- and cook. Executive Chef Leah Caplan oversees a variety of classes that are perfect for sightseers touring the island. Private and custom classes are available for groups of 1-10 people, starting at $200 per hour or $500 per day. Classes include room discounts. Also available is seminar on purchasing local and sustainably raised food. Geared for chefs and restaurateurs, the seminar covers topic such as how to find local producers, total utilization, flexible menu planning, consistency of product, getting started, iustom growing, and growing on site. The seminar is offered mid-week year-round and can also be specially scheduled upon request. Its $280 per person price includes one night’s lodging, double occupancy.
The Inn at Kristofer's, Sister Bay
Terri Milligan, executive chef and owner of The Inn at Kristofer’s in Sister Bay, has been instructing everyone from professional chefs to cooking novices for 20 years. You may have seen her on the Food Channel's "Best of Holiday Cooking.” Chef Milligan offers a range of classes. Classes can also be included in a that package that includes gourmet meals and accommodations. The 2007 class schedule will be available beginning in mid March. A word of warning: classes fill up quickly!
Demonstration Kitchen at The Shops at Woodlake, Kohler
For an informal dip into the culinary waters of Wisconsin, the Demonstration Kitchen at The Shops at Woodlake is a good way to go. This is a very casual working kitchen that allows up to 40 people to watch and interact with chefs from the seven Destination Kohler restaurants as they prepare a featured dish. Demonstrations are Saturdays, January through April, at 11 am and 2 pm. Each session costs $25, or $40 for two. Reservations requested. Call (800) 344-2838 for a spot.
Biró Culinary School, Sheboygan
The Marcel Biró Culinary School has its own nationally syndicated PBS cooking series, “The Kitchens of Biró.” This is a full-immersion cooking school dedicated to teaching classic European techniques but not so serious that an amateur will feel out of place. While you might be working alongside a professional chef or two honing their technique in the Advanced Sauces class, Chef Biró prides himself on individualized attention for all his students and wants to teach skills that anyone can take home and use in their kitchen. Biró Culinary School partners with a variety of lodging properties in the area, including the American Club, Baymont Inn & Suites and the Lake View Mansion and Brownstone Inn B&Bs, which offer up to 25% off for class participants. Be sure to let the reservationists know you need hotel accommodations when you book the class and they will be happy to point you in the right direction.