Laura Powers, founder of Extraordinary Taste Catering of Andover, will offer a series of five cooking classes from 7 to 9 PM on Wednesday evenings starting on March 20 at the Wilmot Community Association’s (WCA) Red Barn, 64 Village Road, next to the post office in Wilmot Flat.
This hands-on, practical class will guide participants through planning, preparing, and presenting a five-course dinner. No experience is required – only a desire to learn.
“We will create dishes that look as great as they taste, become better informed on wine pairing, and build a beautiful table-scape,” said Laura, the winner of the 2009 Lake Sunapee Region Chamber of Commerce’s Chocolate Challenge.
Classes will be conducted in the WCA’s fully equipped commercial kitchen. Enrollment is limited to eight participants. Registration is required by Monday, March 18. For the $100 fee, participants receive copies of all the mouth-watering recipes, a chance to taste all the prepared foods, hints on shopping wisely for the best ingredients, culinary techniques, and kitchen safety.
Laura will discuss a different course each week. The fifth session, on April 17, will feature a cooperative dinner served on a beautifully decorated table. The class syllabus includes:
Week 1 – Appetizers: Eggplant, roasted tomato and smoked mozzarella croustade, and goat cheese-stuffed dates wrapped in prosciutto.
Week 2 – Soup/salad: Spiced lentil and tomato soup and arugula and romaine salad with watermelon, cucumber, red onion, and feta cheese.
Week 3 – Main course: Herb-infused marinated and grilled lamb, Yukon gold potato, and parsnip gratin and green beans with sundried tomato pesto.
Week 4 – Dessert: Individual white chocolate cheesecakes with lemon curd and raspberry coulis.
Week 5 – Table-scape and cooperative dinner. All five courses will be served.
After earning a bachelor of fine arts degree from Colby-Sawyer College in 1989, Laura, who lives in Andover, chose to express her creativity in the form of culinary arts, gaining vast experience in more than 25 years in the food service and catering industry. Her cooking philosophy is grounded in the belief that even the simplest food, when prepared carefully, can be healthy, great tasting, and beautiful.
Registration for the cooking class is available through the WCA at WCA@nulltds.net or 526-7934.