THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 17, 1994 TAG: 9411150112
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: On the Town
SOURCE: Sam Martinette
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
``You know how all great parties end up in the kitchen?'' Marisa Marsey asked. ``Well, ours just start there.''
Marsey was referring to the ``Chef's Choice'' series of recreational cooking classes offered by Johnson & Wales University in Norfolk. Timely subjects include upcoming classes such as ``Christmas Cookies'' on Dec. 8 from 7 to 10 p.m. (cost is $35), and how to create a ``Holiday Feast'' ($40), set for 7 to 10 on Dec. 13.
The holiday classes will be followed by ``Soups and Stews'' on Jan. 4 for those cold winter days to come. Marsey, by the way, is the communications officer for the university.
``The classes are a great way to meet people, actually,'' she said. ``We get a wide range of people, both men and women, including those who enjoy cooking as a hobby and those who fancy themselves gourmet cooks and want to add recipes to their repertoire.
``Some people who have a fear of the kitchen come to get acclimated to the kitchen.''
The recreational, non-credit courses run from September through May, and the chefs who teach the classes are faculty members, Marsey said.
``We usually have about 15 or so people per class,'' she said.
People enroll individually, in groups of two to three, and some attend as the result of a gift certificate.
Unlike that science or history course you might have dreaded back in high school or college, in many of the Johnson & Wales classes students get to consume their work.
``The best part is the students getting to sample their product,'' Marsey said. ``Taste is always important when you're working in the kitchen, and we consider it part of the educational process.''
If hands-on participation is daunting to you, be advised that the professional chefs teaching the courses are prepared to assist.
``If someone is having trouble cutting something, for example, the chef-instructor and Johnson & Wales students are on hand to help,'' Marsey said.
It's not unusual for entire groups of people to take a class together, Marsey said.
``One year,'' she said, ``we had a company's boss order about 20 gift certificates in lieu of an office party, and the whole office came here and cooked. That was their office party.''
Johnson & Wales offers a two-year degree program in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts locally, as well as a one-year certificate program. Students may continue on toward a bachelor of science degree in culinary arts, food service management or food marketing. The local campus is part of a system that includes campuses in Providence, R.I.; Charleston, S.C.; and North Miami, Fla.
The recreational classes are designed for fun, however, and any homework you do is on your own.
``It's a class and is serious, but we have a lot of fun, too,'' Marsey said. ``And people take away many recipes as well as new friends.''
For information on upcoming classes, call Kendra Babcock at 855-1835. Classes set for January include ``Secret Skills of the Chef,'' one on ``Perfect Pasta,'' and a class on ``Breakfast and Brunch.'' Future topics will include vegetarian cooking, frying fish, cooking Cajun and Creole food, classes on Mexican, Thai, Filipino, Korean and Italian cooking, baking and even one course entitled ``Boys Night Out.'' Could be very interesting. ILLUSTRATION: AT A GLANCE
Chef's Choice Recreational Cooking Classes: Johnson & Wales
University, 2428 Alameda Ave., 855-1835.
Hours: Most classes are three hours, one-night only.
Cost: Individual classes range from $30 to $45.
KEYWORDS: COOKING SCHOOL COOKING CLASSES by CNB