Gourmet Cooking Series

Planned At Museum

WATERBURY — An eclectic cast of celebrated and talented Connecticut chefs will blend food, conversation and technique at the “Guest Chef and Cooking Series” presented by the Mattatuck Museum’s Exhibition Café. Hosted by the café’s chef de cuisine, Carol Byer-Alcorace, the series of six evening cooking demonstrations will offer participants an opportunity to observe and get culinary tips from some of the hottest chef/entrepreneurs from around Connecticut.

The series kicks off on Monday, February 28, at 7 pm, with author Tomislav Podreka, the owner of Serendipitea in Ridgefield. Mr Podreka’s presentation, “Never Again Just a Great Cup of Tea!,” will steep his students in the essence of unusual teas, tisanes and the tea drinker’s philosophy, while preparing foods artfully infused with exotic teas from around the world. Tea tasting and tea pairing are included in his delightful presentation.

The fun continues on March 6 with “It Takes More Than Chilies to Make it Hot,” which will be presented by Franco Comache, the chef/owner of Roomba in New Haven. Mr Comache will turn up the heat, explaining the spicy, sexy side of South American cooking while regaling participants with colorful stories as he prepares an exotic array of recipes.

On March 13, Denise Appel, the chef/owner of New Haven’s Zinc, will entertain while presenting an energetically charged, visually delightful class, “If You Think You’ve Figured It Out, Stop and Ask the Chef!”  Ms Appel will present delightful constructions taken from her menu, which has been praised by The New York Times.

“Roadside Café, Romance and Delight” on March 20 will present chef Bill Okeeson, from John’s Restaurant and Café in Woodbury. Chef Okeeson brings an appreciation for fine, modern American cuisine unparalleled in character and flavor. He will demonstrate how to pair simple elegance in food with complex taste.

The Exhibition Café’s Carol Byer-Alcorace will conclude the series with two classes, March 27 and April 3. The first class, “Whether Foods Found or Foods Bought, Anything Can be Soup!” will feature some of her favorite savory and sumptuous creations. The April entrée, “Great Food, Great Taste, Great Plate!,” will demonstrate how to visually present food for the optimum in palate-pleasing experiences.

Each class is limited to ten participants. Cost is $55 per class. To register, call the museum at 203/753-0381 extension 23. The Mattatuck Museum is at 144 West Main Street.