A Playground for Chefs and Kids

June 19, 2017

Cooking School chefs Barclay Dodge, Bryan Nelson, Rob Ittner, Greg Topper and Glenn Smith.

Pop-up” restaurants are a major national trend. These temporary, often under-the-radar dining experiences sometimes feature internationally renowned chefs. At the Cooking School, Ittner invites guest chefs to his own version of the pop-up, “Plated: Experiential Dining,” where diners can observe their meals being prepared. Past events have included local chefs Matt Zubrod of The Little Nell and Jeff Armstrong from Rustique. One of the most anticipated pop-ups this summer will feature Michelin-starred chef Davide Palluda of Osteria all’ Enoteca, August 17–19.

For those who want hands-on and demonstration classes, the Cooking School offers topics ranging from beverage pairing and knife skills to baking, pasta making, pickling, crepes and Indian cuisine. In addition to visiting teachers, there’s a roster of locals who teach at the school, including popular chef-instructors Susie Jimenez, Barclay Dodge, Jimmy Nadell and Glenn Smith.

There are also year-round kids’ classes on various subjects. This July, a “Kids Camp” debuts, featuring day-long hands-on courses for ages 9 to 16. Says Ittner, “This is becoming a fun venue where guests of all ages can play with food.”