Spice up your holiday season with lessons, tips and tricks from Southern Utah Chef class

Chef Octavio Mejia of Pisco Peruvian Cuisine brings some heat into his dish at a presentation of Southern Utah Chef in May 2018, location not specified | Photo courtesy of SUU Community Education, St. George News / Cedar City News

CEDAR CITY — Spice up your holiday season while learning new and innovative recipes, cooking tips and kitchen tricks from some of the finest chefs in Southern Utah.

Southern Utah Chef guests hear some tips on how to stuff a chicken breast from Chef Gerardo Reyes presenting for Chef Alfredo’s Ristorante Italiano, date and location not specified | Photo courtesy of SUU Community Education, St. George News / Cedar City News

As part of its fall session offerings, Southern Utah University Community Education is bringing back Southern Utah Chef, a class where local chefs teach participants favorite recipes along with cooking advice, kitchen techniques and instruction from their personal experience.

More than 70 participants have enjoyed some great dishes prepared by 16 chefs from Cedar City, St. George, Kanab and Parowan since the beginning of Southern Utah Chef, the first class to be offered by SUU Community Education.

Past chefs include some of the finest in the state from Chef Alfredo’s Ristorante Italiano, Sego of Kanab, Cliffside Restaurant, Palette Bakery, Pisco Peruvian Cuisine, Sweet Pea Farm & Orchard, La Casa Don Miguel and Red Acre Farm.

According to a press release issued by SUU Community Education, participants in previous classes said they have learned tricks that make their own recipes better, such as proper use of thermometers at high altitudes, how to make spun sugar decorations for their desserts and even simple knife techniques that make food preparation easier.

Chef Jeff Crosland, from Gather, prepares his version of the popular Latin American dish ceviche using prickly pear cactus that can be found almost anywhere in Southern Utah, date and location not specified | Photo courtesy of SUU Community Education, St. George News / Cedar City News

“SU Chef is one of my favorite courses because it offers community members a fun and unique evening to enjoy with their significant other, or friends,” Melynda Thorpe, director at SUU Community Education and creator of Southern Utah Chef, said in the press release. “Not only do they get a night out with some fantastic food, they also learn cooking techniques that they can use at home.”

Southern Utah Chef’s fall course is $75 and will be holiday-themed for the upcoming season, featuring five chefs on Wednesday evenings beginning Oct. 17. Classes are held in Cedar City’s IG Winery. Guest chefs will be from Sweet & Knotty Bakery, Nature Hills Farm, Harmons Grocery, Pork Belly’s Eatery and Depot Grill.

SUU Community Education establishes community partnerships by generating fun, cultural and educational opportunities for those who love to learn. Subjects that include culinary, arts, writing, yoga, dancing, pickleball and more are taught by local professionals for the purpose of increasing participant knowledge and developing new skills.

There are more than 30 classes at SUU Community Education to help you build your resume, learn something new or spend time with a friend or loved one this fall. For more information on Southern Utah Chef, visit the Community Education website, email [email protected], call 435-865-8259 or stop by the office at 136 W. University Blvd, Suite 003, Cedar City.

Event details

  • What: Southern Utah Chef fall session.
  • When: Classes start Wednesday, Oct. 17, 5:30-7:30 p.m., and continue Wednesdays at the same time Oct. 24, Nov. 7, Nov. 28 and Dec. 5.
  • Where: IG Winery, 59 W. Center St,, Cedar City.
  • Cost: $75. Register online.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

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