SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 12:30pm - 5:30pm
I Like Meat Cooking Class - Chock full of information, technique and tasting, The star of this class is a local meat cutter who will teach you about meats, their cuts and appropriate uses. You'll have an opportunity to grill the meat man and find out why befriending a butcher will up your culinary prowess. Classic and bistro style dishes will be prepared, like Lamb shanks with polenta, Tuscan herbed roast pork loin with roasted vegetable sauce, Tenderloin filet with mushroom sauce, Veal saltimbocca, Chinese glazed spare ribs and lots more. Please bring an apron, a sharp chef's knife and an appetite for dinner! Cooking classes are $125 per person. www.chateauchantal.com
MONDAY, MARCH 8, 8pm
Tweet & Taste Michigan - Join MichiganByTheBottle, the winemaker, a master sommelier and several local wine bloggers on Twitter as they explore a select group of wines from Black Star Farms and share tasting notes and impressions. Visit www.tweetandtastemichigan.com for details and to list of wines to participate in this virtual tasting.
TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 6pm
Meet the Wine Maker from Gill's Pier - This month's Cherry Stop MTW event is with Gill's Pier. For $15 you get a chance to sample six wines and six great appetizers. You also get to learn from a winery representative and learn the stories behind the wines. Seating is limited and reservations are encouraged. Call "Uncorked" at 800.286.7209 (also the Cherry Stop).
SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 12:30pm - 5:30pm
Techniques of Spanish Cooking and Tapas Cooking Class - Spain, with its sun-drenched landscape and intense variety of food traditions, has become a hot culinary destination. After this class you'll understand why. You'll learn the art of making a few select tapas, those small plate dishes that always seem to satisfy; the art of making the perfect paella, eggy "tortillas" and dishes like empanadas, Catalan stew, white gazpacho, flan and Galician apple tart. Please bring an apron, a sharp chef's knife and an appetite for dinner! Cooking classes are $125 per person. www.chateauchantal.com
SATURDAY, MARCH 27
Wine Immersion Seminar - An all-day event providing an overview of winemaking, viticulture, and food and wine pairing. Hosted by Chateau Chantal's winemaker Mark Johnson. The day includes a vineyard walk, peasant's lunch, cellar tour, wine tasting, learning materials, and gourmet dinner. The $145 per person price covers lunch, multi-course dinner paired with Chantal's wines, learning materials and instruction. Class starts at 11 a.m. and runs through dinner. Call 1-800-969-4009 for further details and reservations. Room costs are in addition to the seminar. Call to register and check room availability. www.chateauchantal.com
SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 12:30pm - 5:45pm
Techniques of Italian Cooking (or switch to Handmade Italian Pastas and Sauces) - France may be the queen of technique and refinement, but Italy is the place where a passion for big-flavored, big-hearted and honest food began. Chefs consider Italy a "mother cuisine"-a cuisine of great influence. This class will guide you around Italy where you'll taste olive oils, prosciutto from Parma and San Daniele, Grana Padano, Pecorino Romano and the great Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Absorb the spirit of Italy by preparing and dining on dishes like minestrone alla Genovese, Tuscan bean soup, grissini, potato focaccia, gnocchi, insalata di mare, cauliflower with raisins and pine nuts, zucchini a'scapece, Italian stuffed cabbage, risotto alla Milanese, fried calamari, polpettone (large meatballs) in a porcini gravy, sole in "saor" and a flurry of Italian desserts like apple tart in pasta frolla and semi-freddo. Please bring an apron, a sharp chef's knife and an appetite for dinner! Cooking classes are $125 per person. Chateau Chantel 15900 Rue de Vin, Traverse City, MI. 231-223-4110.www.chateauchantal.com.
SATURDAY, APRIL 10
Bry's Estate Wine Dinner - JMeet Brys Estate Winemaker Coenraad Stassen and Chef Eric of the Boathouse while you enjoy wonderfully prepared gourmet cuisine, perfectly paired with Brys Estate wines. Cost is $55 per person. Call (231) 223-4030 for reservations. The Boathouse Restaurant, 14039 Peninsula Drive, Traverse City, MI. For menu go to: www.boathouseonwestbay.com/images/Brys_Apr_2010.pdf
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SATURDAY, APRIL 17 12:30pm - 5:30pm
Techniques of French Cooking - France is the mother-lode of codified technique and fine cooking. Each bounteous region has its renowned specialties-the North with its crepes and galettes, many kinds of seafood; Burgundy with gougere, game and honey cake; Rhone-Alps with fine fowl, chocolate and sausage; the South with its tomatoes, garlic, olives, wild mushrooms, lamb, green lentils and cassoulet. After this class you'll surprise your family with deeply satisfying, time-tested techniques and dishes from all around France like potage Parmentier with watercress, crepes farcies, vegetables gratins, stuffed and breaded chicken breasts, mussels in white wine, salad of warm lentilles du Puy, gougere, lapereau a la moutarde, Provencal stuffed roasted tomatoes, braised leeks, salade Nicoise, herb-roasted chicken, slow-poached salmon with infused oil, oeufs meurette, salade endive au vinaigrette du echalote, cherry clafoutis, souffle chocolat and creme brulee. Please bring an apron, a sharp chef's knife and an appetite for dinner! Cooking classes are $125 per person. Chateau Chantel 15900 Rue de Vin, Traverse City, MI. 231-223-4110.www.chateauchantal.com.
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 24, 25
Traverse City Sipping Tour - Start the spring with a weekend trip to two of Michigan's nationally designated wine growing regions. We will depart from the Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn and travel to Traverse City. This package includes: Round-trip Transportation Provided by Dynasty Executive Services, Two Nights Lodging at Cherry Tree Inn & Suites, Two Deluxe Continental Breakfasts, Winery Tours, Side excursions can be arranged for shopping, spa treatments, golf and casino gaming. From $199 per person: $75 non-refundable deposit per person is due at booking, 2nd payment of $50 per person due by ???. Final payment due on or before March 15, 2010
Contact: TCA Travel Club, 313-869-8141 psligh@aol.com Web Address:
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, APRIL 24 - 25
Pauly's Spring Fling Wine Tour - Travel to the Traverse City area and taste wines on both peninsulas. Package includes: Motorcoach transportation, Accommodations at the Grand Traverse Resort, Lunch at a restaurant with wine tasting included, Wine tastings at the wineries visited, Casino package, $169 per person - double, $199 per person - single, $50 deposit due by February 20. Balance due by March 26 Travel to the Traverse City area and taste wines on both peninsulas. Contact: Peggy Minder, 269-962-6676 peggy@destinationsbooking.com.
SATURDAY, APRIL 24 - All Day
Wine Immersion Seminar - An all day event providing an excellent overview of winemaking, viticulture, and food and wine pairing. Hosted by our witty and passionate winemaker, Mark Johnson. The day includes a vineyard walk, peasant's lunch, cellar tour, wine tasting, learning materials, and gourmet dinner. The price covers lunch, multi-course dinner paired with Chantal's wines, learning materials and instruction. Class starts at 11AM and runs through dinner. Call 1-800-969-4009 for further details and reservations. Room costs are in addition to the seminar. Call to register and check room availability.
* Class begins at 11:00 on Saturday morning in the Hospitality/Breakfast room
* 11:15 - Vineyard Walk
* 1:00 - Peasant's Lunch
* 2:30-5:30 Winery Education and the Art & Science of tasting
* 6:30 - Dinner at Chateau Chantal
* Bring a jacket, gloves, etc. and walking shoes. It is sometimes very cool out in the vineyard.
Chateau Chantal, 15900 Rue de Vin, Traverse City, MI. www.chateauchantal.com.