Kitchen Confidence
New series of cooking and baking classes starts Sept. 27
HCC is launching a new round of cooking and baking classes this fall geared toward home chefs.
"Cooking Confidently with Chef Tracy Carter," a twice-monthly series of Friday-night, noncredit classes, kicks off Sept. 27 with "A Stroll Through the Markets of the Middle East," during which Carter, a professional chef and HCC Culinary Arts instructor, will teach participants to prepare falafel, tahini, tabouli salad, and crispy phyllo dough with nuts and honey for dessert.
Each single-session, hands-on class has a unique culinary theme. Participants will learn how to prepare appetizers, salads, sauces, entrees and desserts, then dine on their creations, leaving with leftovers and the knowledge and skills to replicate those recipes at home.
"My goal is to give the beginner home cook the confidence to take on any recipe in the kitchen," said Carter. "I believe that mastering a few basic skills can provide anyone with confidence to expand their culinary repertoire."
Cooking Confidently continues with "Clean Eating - Light & Healthy" on Oct. 11; "Crowd Pleasing Weekend Brunch" Oct. 25; "On the Spice Trail of India" Nov. 8; "Chef Tracy's Twist on Steakhouse Classics" Nov. 22; "Noni's Italian Kitchen" Dec. 6; and "Tis the Season: Chef Tracy's Holiday Sides" Dec. 13.
Also, Chef Maureen Benton will be conducting two baking classes this fall: "Petit Fours, Glaces & European Macaroons" on Fri., Oct. 25; and "Torte & Pie: The Linzertorte & Chocolate Silk Pie," on Fri., Nov. 22.
All the classes meet at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute at 164 Race St., in downtown Holyoke on from 6 to 9 p.m. Cooking Confidently classes are $79; baking classes are $64. Space is limited.
Full descriptions of each class are available on the HCC website, along with registration information: www.hcc.edu/bce. Please call 413.552.2500 for more information
PHOTOS: (Thumbnail) Chef Tracy Carter in one of the teaching kitches at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute. (Above) Chef Tracy Carter demonstrates proper slicing techniques.
