Ghost Baker: Cooking Class at First Colony Winery

Some lovely friends were thoughtful enough to get me a cooking class gift certificate a couple months ago. I chose wisely:

"Winery kitchen cooking classes are scheduled regularly at First Colony Winery in the rolling hills of the Virginia Piedmont. Each class is designed to offer expertise with a different menu and set of cooking secrets that will lead you towards ever-greater confidence in home entertainment. These intimate participation style classes culminate with sitting down to our delicious lunch or dinner, paired with the delightful offerings of the winery’s cellar. The camaraderie is effusive as we converse with the vintner while enjoying his and our creations."

The menu was excellent:

"Potato Zucchini Soup / Crispy Chickpeas
Coffee Glazed Lamb Chops
Moroccan Roast Vegetable Couscous
Pina Colada Cake

This flavorful soup is thick and creamy without the addition of cream. We’ll make a glaze of coffee, spices, and rum to slather over lamb chops before grilling then serve these delicious little beasts with a mildly sweet very savory couscous. The cake is a meritage of three forms of coconut, flaked, ground, and creamed. It is heavenly topped with the tangy pineapple icing."

The class was a lot of fun and the food was sensational. There were 9 people in the class including me - well, 8 Washington, DC-based couples actually.. plus me! One couple just got married the night before, one was on a 2 year wedding anniversary trip, one was celebrating their retirement and one celebrating a birthday. I just celebrated the opportunity to scarf cake and not have anyone to worry about embarrassing myself in front of. I'm truly sorry I can't share the Pina Colada Cake with you... you'll have to come over for a dinner party. Mmkay?

Here is the best that my camera phone could do:

The lamb chops are glazed and ready for grilling, now we're cutting up fruit to go with the cake.