Bridal Party Cooking Classes & Chef’s Table Dinners

MOVIE: Maria Kopsidas’ Adolescence

Scene 1 (Same scene every day from age 12 -27.)

In the accent of the mother in my Big Fat Greek Wedding: “When you wake up in the morning, you should have only one question on your mind: what will my husband have for dinner tonight?” This was what my Greek grandmother told me as often as possible once I hit puberty, and she kept repeating it until after I was married. She and my mother were trying hard to groom me for a life in the kitchen (well it happened, just not in the way they had envisioned).  Those early years were romantic times. I would catch myself in the morning thinking about dinner for my husband, I couldn’t help it. He liked my cooking and I loved him, so I wanted him to be happy. Simple concept. I became a better home cook because of him. I actually found myself wanting to impress him with my mad Greek/Italian wifery skills, which had been passed down for generations as an oral history. These unwritten rules became spiritual “good wife” guides and though a part of me—the very feminist, Camille Paglia-influenced, overly educated and entrepreneurial side–would never admit to such chauvinistic thinking. I loved planning menus, shopping, and cooking because I loved the look on his face when he tried something new, and I loved when he asked for more or ate the entire pot, pan or skillet of what I had just made.

Entertaining became less stressful and expensive because I learned how to make things quickly, efficiently and cost effectively. I loved to ask him, “What should we make?” And he’d say, “Remember that mustardy chicken dish with new potatoes you made? You should MAKE THAT!” I loved that. I used to set up the dining room table with 10+ platters of homemade, husband-inspired dishes for our friends and family. We ate like kings and drank like rock stars for very little money. And he would brag about how his wife was an awesome cook. (I remember that this would drive his mother to the edge of insanity! Ha!)

My grandmother and mother knew something I didn’t—you should be thinking about what your husband wants to eat not because it has to do with being a dutiful wife or giving up your independence, it simply shows him how much you love and appreciate him—and it gives you a chance to reinforce your awesomeness, almost daily.

PLAN YOUR BRIDAL EVENTS & REHEARSAL DINNER WITH US!

We know: planning a wedding can be overwhelming. You want to create a unique experience for you and your soon-to-be spouse that you’ll remember for the rest of your lives. You want to do something different; think and play out of the box, but also find solid ground with your family, friends, and future kin that lies somewhere between traditional and one-of-a-kind.

At Cookology, you cook and dine together in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Our bridal party packages offer a variety of options from a relaxed, mixer-style bash to hands-on, interactive cooking sessions and elegant dinner-style events–there’s something for every bride.

Each package features gourmet dishes created by our award-winning professional chefs, and our fantastic wines add to a tasteful celebration.

Let us handle all the details of your event (instead of bar hopping, we bring the wines to you), or customize your experience by adding your own theme (like a kitchen party where guests bring cooking gear to stock your new shared digs). The possibilities are endless, and we make it easy.

REHEARSAL DINNERS

A new family coming together for the first time can be a beautiful thing during a rehearsal dinner, but how do you get people to find meaningful conversation starters in a restaurant setting?

At Cookology, conversations are sparked by the dishes and wines: your favorite comfort food, where you’ve traveled, the fabulous bottle of vino you enjoyed on your patio last weekend.

You aren’t intimidated; the chef’s have given you the confidence to get through chopping an onion and rolling fresh pasta dough to perfection.

At times the entire table is engaged in whisking several ingredients at once. Your dad winks at you from across the stainless steel tables. Then your Aunt Emma strikes up a conversation with his Aunt Jenny and you see them smile and laugh out loud. You look over as Uncle Jim and your dad are discussing knives, your moms are talking about their favorite comfort foods and sharing juicy details about their own honeymoons.

Your heart bursts. You imagine big family dinners at Thanksgiving and fun summer family outings at the beach.

After you’ve finished creating your meal and enjoying your incredible dishes, you and your other half, hand in hand over the din of family chatter, lean in and kiss each other. He whispers to you, tomorrow is going to be beautiful, and you know exactly what he means. Tomorrow is going to be the beginning of the rest of your lives with each others’ family, and so far it looks like everything is as it should be. Perfect.

PRICING

5 Courses, 3 Wines – $60 per person

9 courses, 6 wines – $90 per person

BACHELOR & BACHELORETTE FOOD & WINE PAIRING EVENTS

A great outing for a group of girlfriends (or guy friends!) or a large blended family event.

In this mixer-style event you and your guests will sit back, relax, and enjoy as our professional chef plates and serves a menu of delicious appetizer dishes.

Choose one of the following menus, prices as listed.

Each menu comes with a flight of three paired wines and your choice of either Individual Molten Chocolate Cakes or Fresh Berries with Vanilla Creme for dessert (no extra dessert option for the Just Desserts Menu).

Spanish Tapas ($55)

Seared Shrimp with Spicy Tomato Relish

Goat Cheese Croquetas

Dates Wrapped in Crispy Ham with Balsamic Reduction

Rustic Italian ($55)

Creamy Parmesan and Wild Mushroom Tartlets

White Bean, Roasted Tomato and Basil Bruschetta

Stuffed Mushrooms with Rosemary and Prosciutto

Cocktail Party Pairings Menu ($50)

Martini-Worthy Marinated Olives

Warm Parmesan and Herb Crab Dip with Sea Salt Crostini

Crispy Phyllo stuffed with Blue Cheese, Walnuts, and Honey

Just Desserts Menu ($45)

Dark Chocolate Mousse

Red Wine Macerated Berries with Vanilla Crème

Caramel Pecan Bread Pudding

Prefer to customize your menu?

For $60 per person you can choose three items from a list of fantastic dishes, such as White Bean, Roasted Tomato and Basil Bruschetta and Warm Italian-Style Blue Crab Dip with Garlic Baguette. $12 for each additional. Includes paired tasting flight of three wines. Additional wines are available by the glass and bottle. 

WEDDING SHOWER HANDS-ON COOKING CLASS MENUS

Great option for those seeking a hands-on, interactive experience with their guests.

For this event each person in your group will create a meal from scratch hands-on. Prices for each menu as listed. Includes a glass of wine.

French Bistro Menu ($70)

Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette

Pistachio-crusted Chicken Paillards OR Herbed Salmon Filets with Lemon Aioli

Individual Molten Chocolate Cakes

Traditional Spanish Tapas Menu ($70)

Herbed Goat Cheese Croquetas

Spicy Seafood Paella

Red Wine Macerated Berries with Vanilla Crème

Southern-Style Brunch Menu ($65)

Warm Brie Cheese Strata with Brown Sugar Balsamic Reduction

Shrimp and White Cheddar Grits with Roasted Bell Pepper Sauce

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries with Toasted Almonds

Cocktail Party Menu ($65)

Crispy Baked Artichokes with Spicy Tomato Jam

Seared Beef Tenderloin Bruschetta with Horseradish Chive Cream

Parmesan Basil Stuffed Mushrooms

Handmade Pasta Menu ($55)

Fresh Local Greens with Lemon Vinaigrette

Handmade Linguine Pasta with Creamy Roasted Tomato Basil Sauce

Wild Mushroom and Ricotta Ravioli with Herb Brown Butter Sauce

Elegant Entertaining Menu ($55)

Roasted Vegetable and Parmesan Strudel

Red Wine Braised Chicken with Mushroom Ragu

Dark Chocolate Mousse with Fresh Berries

  TO BOOK AN EVENT WITH US: EMAIL OR CALL US AT (703) 433.1909.

Tags:

One Response to “Bridal Party Cooking Classes & Chef’s Table Dinners”

  1. December 1, 2011 at 11:45 pm #

    $author this is some great blog.

Leave a Reply