Create A Feast At Fetzer Valley Oaks
Hands-On Cooking Classes Featuring Chef Bridget Harrington
Pick Fresh Right From The Organic Garden As It Evolves Through The Season
Hopland, Calif. (March 6, 2005) � The popular television cooking shows often show noted Chefs wandering through a Farmer's Market, squeezing, tasting and discovering what's fresh and tasty that day before returning to the restaurant to create a mighty feast.
Wouldn't you like to stroll along? Now you can.
In a unique series of cooking classes offered each month from March through December, Fetzer Executive Chef Bridget Harrington will gather students and wander with a purpose through the five-acre organic garden at Valley Oaks Ranch in Hopland, sharing ideas and insights while selecting what's fresh before returning to the classroom to work with students to create a feast for the senses and the soul. The classes are fully interactive, with students actively participating in preparing meals with Chef Bridget, who is also co-owner of Patrona Restaurant in Ukiah, not simply watching a demonstration.
Master Gardener Kate Frey will be on hand to join in the tours and help focus on seasons and cycles in the garden. Chef Thomas Oden of Santi Restaurant will take a guest chef teaching turn, as will Patrona Chef Craig Strattman and Park Avenue Catering Chef Bruce Riezenman.
As meals are prepared, students will also enjoy reserve Fetzer and Bonterra wines, selected by the chefs to complement and enhance the experience. Many of the wines are only available at the Valley Oaks Homeplace, and are special creations by winemakers for wine clubs, special dinners and friends in lots of just 150 cases. The garden-culinary-wine-pairing is a total immersion experience, says Chef Bridget: "you pick it, you cook it, you eat it, you smile."
Classes will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday course days, and cost $50 per person.
Beautiful Valley Oaks will be open before and after classes for further explorations, and for students seeking a deeper experience, Valley Oaks offers a Country Inn where guests can stay and explore nearby attractions in Hopland and the rest of Mendocino. Valley Oaks offers a reserve tasting room, Marketplace with Mendocino focused artisan products, vineyards, picnic grounds and a deli.
And, of course, a wonderful culinary garden.
For updated information and enrollment, call toll free 1-(800)-846-8637 or visit Fetzer on the web at Fetzer.com. Class sizes are limited, and early reservations are advised.
