Not sure what to do with yourself now that January is here and the frigid, oh-so-short days make you want to stay in bed? Here’s a New Year’s resolution that will pay big – learn how to cook.
No, cracking open a box of mac and cheese is not cooking. You don’t have to be a foodie or bask in the luxury of spare time, just show up at the Milwaukee Public Market with an open mind and an empty stomach.
The Milwaukee Public Market has offered classes since opening five years ago. Every once in a while, market chefs teach, but what has really made these classes desirable is the chance to be part of an up-close demonstration from some of Milwaukee’s (and the country’s) best chefs.
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| Jill Nickerson |
Do you have a penchant for pastries? Fond of food and wine pairings? Itching for Italian? The market can help you learn it all. Culinary Director Jill Nickerson stays on top of trends and looks for a good mix of education and entertainment when planning class offerings. “We’ve hosted local chefs as well as award-winning chefs from all over the country and oversees,“ she says. Even celebrity chefs Rick Bayless and Lidia Bastianich, who you might recognize from “Lidia’s Italy” on MPTV, have taught cooking classes at the market.
The state-of-the-art demo kitchen is on the second floor of the market. Dedicated to Wisconsin culinary icon and pioneer in organic cooking Madame Kouny, the kitchen holds up to 45 people. “The hands-on classes are by far the most popular,” says market assistant Ryan Litsheim, “But the demonstration classes still attract 25-30 people and allow participants to sample the food and take recipes home.”
Here’s what’s on tap for January (all demonstration classes last about an hour and a half and range from $20-39):
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| Brian Moran |
Wednesday, Jan. 12, 5:30 p.m. – How to Pair Food and Wine with Chef Brian Moran, MATC Culinary instructor and chef at St. Paul Fish Company
Monday, Jan. 17, 5:30 p.m. – Seasonal Dishes with Chef Jason Gorman of Dream Dance Restaurant
Thursday, Jan. 20, 11:30 a.m. or 5:30 p.m. – Staci’s Stimulus Plan; Budget Friendly Weeknight Suppers with Staci Joers
Saturday, Jan. 22, 1 p.m. – Healthy Italian Cooking with Joe Bartolotta, Bartolotta Restaurant Group
Wednesday, Jan. 26, 5:30 p.m. – Romantic Dinner Made Easy with Chef Tony Mandella
For more information and to see full class descriptions and prices, click here. To register for classes, call the market office at 414-336-1111. Nickerson anticipates offering more hands-on classes in 2011.
So get cookin’ – your stomach and significant other will thank you. Flying solo? Just like mom said: No better way to win over a man’s heart than through his stomach.
