Culinary Basics

Our Culinary Basics classes provide the foundation for cooking well. You'll learn what different foods are all about, how to use the tools in your kitchen, what the different cooking methods are and how to use them. You'll explore food like never before and learn the same techniques professional chefs use. From pots and pans to ingredients to finished dishes, our classes will enlighten, educate and excite you.

Our classes can be taken individually or by program, you chose! We can even structure a program specifically for your needs. Classes are hands on, 3 hours in length and are taught Monday through Saturday. There's no limit to what you'll achieve in the kitchen, it all starts with you at Alchemy of the Hearth.

All About Cheese Cooking 102 May-30-2013 - Arleen Lloyd

Cheese, nature’s perfect creation! We all have a favorite and yet, we know very little about the varieties available to us today. Join Executive Chef Arleen Lloyd as she introduces you to cheese, from the staples to the artisan, you’ll taste, smell and enjoy a wonderful array of today's most popular and a few of the oldest...

Cooking for One Jun-04-2013 - Staff

Everyone needs to eat and everyone deserves to eat well! Join us as we learn how to reduce a recipe to create fabulous 1 and 2 portion meals that are perfect for everyday eating...

All About Spices and Herbs Cooking 101 Jun-04-2013 - Arleen Lloyd

Seasoning is the most important component of cooking a great meal. Spices and herbs are the mainstays in creating the perfect seasoning mix. Join us as we explore the differences between herbs and spices, what each is meant to do and how different combinations create the most wonderful alchemy...

Basic Knife Skills Cooking 101 Jun-05-2013 - Staff

A good knife is one of the most important tools in the kitchen. Knowing how to use one and which knife does what job makes cooking all the more pleasurable...

Vegetables of the Season Cooking 102 Jun-06-2013 - Arleen Lloyd

Join us as we explore the ways to cook winter's fabulous offerings. You'll learn what works and what doesn't when it comes to these vegetables and how to make your family love their flavors...

Roast, Bake, Broil Mastering Technique Jun-07-2013 - Arleen Lloyd

The secret to cooking well doesn't lie in knowing a ton of recipes. Cooking well relies on time tested techniques passed down from generation to generation of cooks...

Where's the Beef Cooking 101 Jun-13-2013 - Arleen Lloyd

Join us as we explore the world of beef. No more guessing which cut to buy or which cooking method to use. Learn all about “grading”, what the different cuts are, cooking methods, when to buy, proper storing, and how much to buy...

Basic Knife Skills Jun-14-2013 - Staff

A good knife is one of the most important tools in the kitchen. Knowing how to use one and which knife does what job makes cooking all the more pleasurable...

Preserving the Harvest Jun-15-2013 - Stuart Stein

How do you extend the flavors of the season when they are at their peak? Chef Stein will show you how “put up” the harvest and turn the season’s best produce into jams, pickles, preserves, sauces and dried fruit and vegetables...

The Vegetarian Table Jun-19-2013 - Arleen Lloyd

Are you a vegetarian or have you considered becoming one? Being a vegetarian or eating more like one isn't as difficult as it seems. All you need is knowledge about what works and what doesn't, which foods you should eat and how to prepare them so they are delicious...

Mixed Techniques Mastering Technique Jun-21-2013 - Arleen Lloyd

The secret to cooking well doesn't lie in knowing a ton of recipes. Cooking well relies on time tested techniques passed down from generation to generation of cooks...