View from the deck

The deck

Front entrance

Stairway to kitchen

Stairway to garden


Moonrise

One of our blizzards of 2006!

Cooking Classes in Napa Valley, California

Hands-on Cooking Classes

Our most popular event is a cooking class including hands-on participation creating a three course meal
For groups of 2 or more we will work with you to create a menu utilizing the freshest most seasonal ingredients gathered from Napa Valley.  You will roll up your sleeves and don aprons as you chop, slice and dice to prepare the meal that will then be served to you paired with wines from the winery kitchen we work in.  We create menus that will expand your kitchen knowledge and focus on the seasons best products. $250 per person all inclusive.

Basic Skills Series
Basic Skills- Two Day Cooking Classic
Dates to be determined by your schedule
Chefs DJ and Kent Nielsen

The Basic Skills Series is a two day class designed for both the beginner and the experienced cook, to make cooking fun and easy. Part I and II will be covered on day one and parts III and IV on day two.  The class will introduce you to the foundation needed to begin exploring and creating exciting meals. This hands-on class concludes with a graduation dinner prepared by the class and a Certificate of Completion. The fee is $495 per person and a guest may join you for the final dinner at 4:00 PM on day two.

Basic Skills I - The Foundation of Success

We begin the series with a full explanation of the basic kitchen equipment and tools; knife skills and care; safety and sanitation; and how to prepare stocks, the building blocks of cooking. We will prepare chicken, veal, and vegetable stocks.

Basic Skills II - Produce and Vegetables

This class will introduce the wide variety of available greens and vegetables. DJ and Kent will explain cooking methods for vegetables and starches, and discuss how to make vegetables look and taste their best when cooked. Learn how to prepare emulsified dressings and crispy salads. We will prepare lemon mayonnaise, Caesar Salad, Braised Fennel and Rice Pilaf. Kent will conduct a product ID of seasonal greens, fruits and vegetables.

Basic Skills III - Meat Cuts and Poultry

This class emphasizes how to handle and cook basic cuts of meat and poultry. Kent will demonstrate how the stocks made in Basics I can be transformed into classical sauces, and we will learn how to bone a chicken that will be stuffed and roasted in our graduation dinner. We will compare the results of different cooking methods on meat cuts.

Basic Skills IV - Graduation

Now we will combine the knowledge acquired over the two days to plan, time and present a final graduation dinner.

Basics Series Consist of:
Day one  11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Day two  11:00 am - 4:00 pm with dinner to follow
$495 per person
Contact us through e-mail or call us at (707) 965-9409 for reservations

 We specialize in creating private culinary events.

Sample Class Themes for Private Events

Cooks and Books and Corks Class
Menu of Private Events
Private  classes are hands-on participation culminating in enjoying the meal served  following the workshop for a minimum of two guests

Cooking From Napa Valley
Gathering ingredients from local farmer's markets and local ranchers we will head to the winery kitchen arranged and begin our prep.  Building a menu of appetizers, a salad course, entree with side dishes, and of course dessert, you will chop, slice and dice, side by side with your chef/instructors to create a fabulous meal.  After a tasting and tour of the winery the meal is served in an intimate setting paired with the wineries best selections and copies of the recipes and techniques are included.  $250 per person all inclusive up to 10 guests.

Options:
•A field trip to the Farmer's Market to shop with guided tour by Chef Kent and Chef DJ (approximately 1 hour, time and day specific)
 

Other Topics:

Sauces
GrillingTechniques                                                        Cheese Making
Sausage Making

Classes start at
$250 per person all inclusive
Call for scheduling  
(707) 965-9409                                    

Many options...Let us design a class specifically for you and your co-chefs.  The sky's the limit!

Ask about our French Laundry Connection event for the truly discerning.  A dining experience you will never forget or match!