[Publib] Adult Cooking Classes

[Judith Turner]

Hi, Monica --

Here's an idea for an adult cooking class that could have broad appeal.  Involve a nutritionist as well as a cooking instructor/chef so the resultant class appeals to the health-conscious as well as the taste-conscious.  Chances are you can get some good publicity and promotion for such a class, or series of classes.

I was intrigued by an article in this week's Top 5 @ the New York Times in which nutritionist and author Dr. Jonny Bowden identifies 11 foods available from a local supermarket, as opposed to the more exotic items he often discusses, that he thinks have real health benefits.  The trick, of course, is to make them appealing to the palate and the eye.  Here's a link (the original URL was too long to copy unbroken):

http://tinyurl.com/6bxg3u

The 11 Best Foods You Aren't Eating by Tara Parker-Pope

Near the end of the list was an item that made me chuckle -- the spice tumeric.  Earlier this week, in the process of making fajitas for dinner we'd hauled down a box of infrequently used spices.  One of the kids asked me what the tumeric was for and I admitted I could not recall why (or when) I'd bought it.  Most likely I was following a recipe that called for it and have long since lost the recipe.  Now, I've a few ideas for using up that container of tumeric
thanks to Ms. Parker-Pope and Dr. Bowden.

As far as having patrons cook, I'd nix that idea unless you can hold the class at a location set up for cooking classes - a h.s. cooking lab maybe?  The likelihood of spills, splashes, possible injuries and property damage is daunting.  Let the professionals do it, the patrons can take notes.

Charging is a good idea, at least to recover your costs -- supplies, equipment rental, honoraria for the presenter(s), set-up and clean-up, advertising, etc. 

Judy Turner
Whitefish Bay, WI
 
  Do you have patrons cook or does the 
  instructor simply go through the steps?  Do you charge and if so, how 
  much?
   
  Any suggestions, advice, or warnings will 
  be heeded.
   
  Monica Casanova
  Adult Services Librarian
  Monticello Public Library
  321 West Broadway Street
  Monticello, Indiana 47960-2047
  www.monticello.lib.in.us


      
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