By Steve Rawlings
The Chautauqua Kitchen Series, held at the historic Athenaeum Hotel within the Chautauqua Institution, offers an immersive culinary experience for food and drink enthusiasts. Scheduled for September 5–7 and October 11–13, this series features three hands-on workshops led by expert chefs and mixologists, focusing on appetizers, cocktails, and entrées.
Workshop #1: “Mastering Appetizers”
In “Mastering Appetizers”, participants learn the art of crafting the perfect charcuterie board. A skilled chef guides attendees through selecting meats, cheeses, and accents like jams, crackers, and fruits. The workshop emphasizes variety, contrast, and texture, and concludes with a wine pairing session tailored to enhance the flavors of the charcuterie creations.
Workshop #2: “Crafting Signature Cocktails”
The second workshop, “Crafting Signature Cocktails”, delves into mixology. Participants explore essential cocktail-making techniques, including flavor balancing and presentation. The hands-on session allows attendees to create and taste a variety of signature cocktails, gaining confidence in their mixology skills.
Workshop #3: “Entrée Excellence”
The final workshop, “Entrée Excellence,” offers a comprehensive look at preparing exquisite main courses. Participants will learn various cooking methods (braising, sautéing, grilling, baking, roasting, deep frying) and explore different types of entrées, from pasta and poultry to seafood and vegetarian dishes. The workshop also covers flavor combinations, side dishes, and sauce profiles.
In the interactive portion, attendees will prepare Pan-Seared Petite Filets with Chimichurri. The chef demonstrates the searing process and guides participants in making chimichurri sauce, which they’ll use to complete their own plated dish alongside herb-roasted fingerling potatoes and sautéed broccolini.
Registration and Accommodation Details
The series is all-inclusive, with workshops, meals, and accommodations at the Athenaeum Hotel. Registration fees are $540 plus tax for single occupancy and $810 plus tax for double occupancy. For special accommodation requests, call (800) 821-1881.
The Chautauqua Kitchen Series combines culinary education with hands-on practice, making it an enriching experience for anyone passionate about food and drink. With limited spaces available, early registration is recommended to ensure participation in this unique culinary journey.