Like fine wines, high-quality teas are full of nuanced flavors influenced by their terroir and processing. In this cozy afternoon class with tea master, and owner of Tenmoku Tea, Jonathan Kniseley, you'll learn about tea from leaf to cup. Explore how geography, culture, climate, and processing transforms a humble leaf into the wide variety of teas enjoyed around the world. Using traditional teaware you'll learn to properly brew and taste green, oolong, and oxidized varieties of tea and learn about…

Cold winter afternoons are the perfect time to put a pot on the stove, relax, and let the magic of low and slow heat transform simple ingredients into a deeply flavored meat sauce that is just what you crave in the dead of winter. In this hands on class with chef and low and slow cooking enthusiast, Bob Wood, you'll learn how to use time and classic techniques to build flavors in your sauce. You'll round out the meal with…

Puff pastry is made by layering (in pastry speak: “laminating”) dough and butter to make many thin layers of butter that create steam and “puff” up in the oven to make the crisp, flaky texture beloved in croissants, danishes, and other flaky favorites. The process might sound like magic, but with an expert teacher to guide you, you’ll be casting your own flaky, buttery spells before you know it! Puff master Randi Madden will teach you all about lamination (ingredients,…

Alsace is a unique region in northeastern France bordered by both Germany and Switzerland. Nestled in the plain of the Rhine river with the Vosges mountains to the east, the region alternated between German and French control over centuries, resulting in a unique cuisine that reflects a mix of those cultures. In this hands on class instructor Bret Bannon will take you on a culinary tour exploring this region. You'll create traditional dishes that showcase the delicious and hearty melding…

You've probably heard by now how naturally fermented foods support your health (thank you probiotics!), but you might still be wondering how to get them on your plate. The world of fermented foods is diverse (kraut, kimchi, sour pickles, miso!) and incorporating ferments into your meals is a simple and delicious way to reap the benefits of these foods for your health, and your tastebuds. In this hands on class with master fermenter and owner of Topos Ferments, Jim Bovino,…

Take a break from winter and its soups and stews to bask in the sunshine-filled Southwest in this hands on class with chef Bret Bannon. Sunny and seasonal citrus is at it's prime and you'll learn to use it in an unusual salad featuring grapefruit (and tequila!), marinated steak tacos, and a blood orange crème anglaise to accompany dessert. You'll leave class with new techniques learned, and a peppy menu you can use for any staycation dinner! Class menu will…

Could your small-dicing skills use some work? Do you find yourself wondering “who is Julie Anne?”  Perhaps, you’d just like to feel more in control next time you’re wielding a knife. Whether you’re a beginner cook or have spent some time away from the kitchen- look no further! Come hone (knife joke) your skills with The Good Acre’s very own Chef Sadie Sayre as you work through a variety of classical culinary knife cuts used for preparing vegetables. Then you'll…

Valentine's Day is almost here but why keep the focus just on couples? Show your platonic pals some TLC this February by cooking up a dinner with friends! In this hands on class with instructor Randi Madden you'll execute a simple and delicious menu that focuses on learning knife skills, techniques and timing, and just having a good time in the kitchen with old friends, or making new ones! Class menu will include: Sirloin Steak with Compound Butter Crispy Yukon…

Give your sweetie, and your heart some love this Valentine's Day by cooking up a meal that celebrates some of the delicious and heart-healthy components of a Mediterranean diet. In this hands on class with husband-and-wife dynamic duo Joan and David Donatelle, you'll craft a date night worthy menu featuring fresh produce, fish, whole grains, dark chocolate, and of course, a little red wine. Bring your sweetheart, your BFF, or even your mom to learn and cook together as you…

Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is a time for celebrating and is often filled with indulgences. Immediately following the holiday however, many alter their diet to include meatless meals when observing Lent. Get the best of both worlds in this hands on class celebrating Mardi Gras with meatless versions of your favorite dishes from New Orleans cuisine. Cooking instructor, and registered dietician, Ranelle Kirchner will guide you as you learn how to prepare a feast of cajun flavors…

The Caucasus is a mountainous region situated between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, consisting of southern Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. This area has a rich and varied history as it intersects many ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups. The resulting cuisine is a unique mix of influences from around the region that combine to create delicious dishes filled with produce of the area. In this hands on class with instructor Judy Ohannesian you'll explore regional vegetarian specialties of…

Join us for a special class with award-winning cookbook author and chef, Amalia Moreno-Damgaard. A Guatemala native, Amalia has been passionate about food and cooking since she was very young. She credits her maternal grandmother for her inspiration and love of fresh ingredients and artisan cuisine. Mayan cookery is the backbone and the ancient foundation upon which Guatemalan cuisine is built. Amalia travels regularly to her homeland to stay connected to her roots and continue to rediscover her culture. During…

The dead of winter doesn't have to mean the death of eating local. Minnesota boasts an array of local products that can make it on your plate even when the ground has been frozen for months. In this hands on class with Beth Jones, executive chef of the U of M's Campus Club, you'll learn what to buy, where to buy it, and how to cook these wonderful local products. You'll work together to create a delightful menu featuring locally…