Taste the Future at CSCC {Giveaway!}

Culinary school has always been a fascination to me. People from all walks of life end up in school to train how to stand behind a hot stove for long hours. Why?

Columbus State Community College (CSCC) invited me to find out. Anna and I sat in on an International Cuisine course session, part of the culinary apprenticeship program.

Making of a Chef, Columbus State Style

Columbus State has a dual approach of intense classroom instruction combined with 6000 hours of apprentice work. Students learn about everything from sanitation to accounting, and menu planning to food preparation in the culinary apprenticeship program. They graduate with an associates degree and three years of restaurant experience.

By the time I met the third year students in the International Cuisine class I observed, they knew their way around the well-stocked kitchen. Prep work was focused and jolly. Students sought the advice of instructor James Taylor, Certified Executive Chef, as needed.

I chatted with students about their aspirations. Many were looking forward to continuing in their apprentice kitchens after graduation. One wants to find a place in a military base, as her husband recently enlisted in the Army. Another hopes to continue on to a fine pastry school, such as the Le Cordon Blue.

Taylor provided some additional insight into why a person might come to CSCC: for the confidence to cook great things. Taylor teaches students that a "recipe isn't a be all, end all thing - it doesn't excuse you from using your brain."

Joking voices were replaced by pans clanking on stove grates and the sizzle of meat on the grill as the plating deadline approached. The teaching kitchen was a whir of activity.

Students delivered their dishes to a central table where they were gently critiqued by Taylor. The chefs-to-be analyzed their own work too, guessing why dishes prepared with the same recipe looked different and evaluating plating looks. Students practiced using the dish tank before serving themselves. As we tasted the dishes together, the students were clearly exhausted but endeared to this program.

Taste the Future

Low tuition is a hallmark of the community college system, as is a strong scholarship system. Taste the Future is Columbus State's nod to their successful culinary program and their biggest community fund raising event.

At Taste the Future, visitors enjoy drinks, music, and tastes of the finest dishes chefs have to offer. Many participants are CSCC graduates who return at Taste to give back to their school. Read the Hounds in the Kitchen 2009 Taste the Future recap for an idea of what the event entails.

This year's Taste the Future will be held on September 13, 2011 from 5:30 to 9 pm. Tickets are $100 each, available online or by calling 614-287-2436.

Giveaway (Now Closed)

Wish you could spend an evening sampling chefs' best at Taste the Future? You can! Organizers provided me with two pairs of tickets to giveaway.

To enter, leave a comment below with the offering you most wish to try at Taste the Future 2011. The menu of dishes is expanding every day.

Giveaway Details:

Contest entries close at 12:01 AM EST on Tuesday, September 6. Two winners will be selected with random.org. Winners will have 24 hours to respond to email notification with their mailing address for delivery of the tickets.

Winners must have a US address. Only one entry per person please.

Retail value of each pair of tickets is $200. Tickets are for the 2011 Taste the Future event held on September 13, 2011 at Columbus State Community College Downtown campus, 550 East Spring Street, Columbus, OH 43215.

Disclosure: I received a pair of tickets to Taste the Future, a tour, lunch, and tastes at the cooking class. All opinions are my own.

Autumn 2011 {Events and Classes}

Fill your calendar and your belly with some of the local food events scheduled for this autumn! Hounds in the Kitchen classes at Franklin Park Conservatory: register by calling 614.645.5923 or download, print and mail a registration form.

Puttin' Up Keep the summer bounty easily at hand all year long with tried and true preserving techniques. Homesteader Rachel Tayse Baillieul will guide class participants to make freezer basil pesto, water-bath canned applesauce, "sun" dried tomatoes and home frozen fruit. Sun., September 11, 4 – 6pm $15 Members (Member Madness Pricing!); $35 Non-members

Fermented Foods Fermented foods, like traditional sauerkraut and kefir, are believed to improve digestion and increase absorption of nutrients. Plus, they taste delicious! We will sample a variety of fermented foods and demonstrate how to easily make kefir, buttermilk, sourdough, pickles, and sauerkraut at home. Sun., October 16, 4 – 6pm $30 Members; $35 Non-members

Whole Bird Cooking Fear the holiday turkey and goose no more! Participants in this class will practice carving, eat a small meal, hear tips and tricks for flavorful juicy roasting, and learn how to use leftovers to best effect. Leave with the confidence to add roast birds to your menu year round. Sun., November 13, 4 – 6pm $30 Members; $35 Non-members

Fruit or Vegetable? PreK Using the powers of observation, preschoolers will identify what is a fruit and what is a vegetable, explore the gardens to see crops growing on trees, vines, and plants and then cook and taste nutritious recipes with local and seasonal produce. Thursdays, September 8, 15, and 22; 11am – 12pm $30 Members (Member Madness Pricing!); $70 Non-members (for the three-class series, price includes one child age 3-6 and one adult)

Harvest Fun PreK The harvest season is full of kid-friendly foods and activities. Kids will cook with local favorites including apples, potatoes and pumpkins during this series. Each week series will include a food-related craft. Thursdays, October 13, 20 and 27; 11am – 12pm $63 Members; $70 Non-members (for the three- class series, price include one child age 3-6 and one adult)

Whole Grains PreK Kids will explore nutrient-dense grains, from familiar rice and wheat to exotic tabouli and quinoa, through measuring, cooking and tasting a wide variety of grains. Your family may find a new favorite! Thursdays, November 3, 10 and 17; 11am – 12pm $63 Members; $70 Non-members (for the three-class series, price include one child v and one adult)

Hounds in the Kitchen Classes at Wild Goose: register online through Wild Goose

Apples Year Round Rachel will share her favorite ways to enjoy apples in all seasons by dehydrating, canning applesauce, and storing long term. We'll focus on more advanced ways of preserving apples including making cider vinegar and hard cider. Tuesday September 20, 6:30-8:30 pm, $30 per individual, $55/pair (one person takes two classes or two people take one class)

Home Charcuterie Learn how to make pancetta and bacon at home with no special tools or equipment! We'll also demonstrate how to stuff sausage and sample a variety of home cured meats. Tuesday October 18, 6:30-8:30 pm, $30 per individual, $55/pair (one person takes two classes or two people take one class)

Hounds in the Kitchen appearances: Bacon Camp 2011! Rachel will be part of the judging team for the annual bacon camp hosted by Wild Goose Creative at the North Market. There are still tickets available for next Saturday's event. August 27, 1-4 pm, $10 for bacon samples and fun. Register online.

Country Living Fair Held on the beautiful Ohio Village, the Country Living Fair is an annual gathering of fans of antiques, farm fresh cooking, and crafting. Rachel will present "New Ideas with Ohio Apples" on Friday at noon. The fair runs 10 am to 5 pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday September 16-18. Tickets are for sale online ($13) or at the gate ($16).

Recommended Events:

Hungry Planet at Franklin Park Conservatory - August 20 - November 6 The conservatory hosts a food show this harvest season. See food art installed throughout the horticultural displays, tour the Edible Campus, and wander through a blown glass garden. A Food for Thought lecture series and special events like Market Days and Food Truck Sundays compliment the exhibits.

Lobster Days at The Hills Market Join The Hills Market in Worthington as they serve traditional Maine Lobster Rolls (filled to the brim with 1/4 pound of fresh lobster placed atop a buttered and toasted roll) with Ballreich's potato chips (from Tiffin, Ohio), lemonade and a slice of Judy's blueberry pie (from Waldo, Ohio.) Seatings are at 1 and 5 p.m. August 27 and September 3. Reservations for the $15 dinner are required by calling 614.846.3220.

Farm to Table Dinners at Murphin Ridge Murphin Ridge in West Union, Ohio will offer two different opportunities for travelers to enjoy the inn's memorable farm-to-table dining experience, with dinners slated for Sat., Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. and Sat., Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.  The dinner is only $50 per person or $65 for wine pairings. Lodging is also available.

Horn of Africa Benefit at Solay Bistro> The Horn of Africa benefit dinner at Solay Bistro promises to be one of the most interesting cultural exchanges in Columbus this fall, and a delicious one to boot. Solay Bistro will prepare a African foods buffet on September 7 and 14th to raise funds for starving Africans, many of whom have relatives living here in Columbus. Tickets cost just $35 each and proceeds will go to CARE, a highly regarded non-profit doing work in the Horn of Africa.

Taste the Future - Columbus State Community College The 23rd annual culinary showcase, Taste the Future, will be held on September 13, 2011. More than 50 chefs will prepare samples for guests to enjoy on the Columbus State campus. All proceeds benefit student scholarship. Be sure to read Hounds in the Kitchen this Monday for a ticket giveaway!

Kids World at Independents Day - Saturday, September 17 10am - 8 pm at Gay Street and Pearl Alley Kids World will be a special area for children up to the age of 13 along the Gay Street sidewalk between Sugardaddy's and Pearl Alley during the Independents Day celebration. Openheartcreatures will perform in body puppets, the Cooking Caravan will put on a performance and pass out food samples, there will be a kids fashion design/creation hour and fashion show, and an art station where they can make music shakers and bird feeders. The SBB will host a "Start Your Own Business" seminar for kids with ideas of how they can get involved with the community through entrepreneurship, and then will run a kids parade through the fest to show people that children are our next community leaders.

North Market's 6th Annual Microbrew Festival The North Market will toast the end of summer with the 6th annual Columbus Microbrew Festival on September 16 and 17. Celebrate locally brewed ales, lagers and stouts in the company of the brewmasters from participating local microbreweries. Admission free; beer tasting is $20.

Farm to Table Dinners at Jorgensen Farms After an informal tour of Val's organic herb and lamb farm in Westerville, guests will enjoy a chef-prepared meal of seasonal ingredients every third Sunday through December. Dinners start at 5 pm and cost $40 per person.

Local Foods Week - locations across Columbus, presented by Local Matters From a movie night to local drink tastings to the harvest ball, September 30 - October 8 will be a celebration of all things local. Events for are scheduled for foodies of all ages. Stay tuned to Eat Local Ohio for details and registration.

I know there are more events out there. What did I miss?

New Albany Farmers Market

The newest farmer's market in central Ohio belongs to one of the newest suburbs, New Albany. It is scheduled to run every Thursday from 4-7 pm now through September 8 in Market Street Square, 200 Market Street 43054. Lil and I visited on the second week. We found rows of tents arranged around a lovely plaza in front of a Columbus library branch. Ample free parking is available along the streets and in a lot by the library.

For a market only in its second week, New Albany was well attended by producer/grower vendors and buyers. Nearly every shopper I saw was carrying a basket of peaches from Branstool, the first of the season. A family could truly shop for the week here with baked goods (including gluten free), meat, eggs, herbs, fruits, and vegetables available.

I was most excited to find two new-to-me products at the market. First, pictured on the left, is Ohio's first sheep's milk cheese from Kokoborrego Cheese Company. I chatted with the producers and learned that their raw cheeses are aged a minimum of 60 days. Tastes revealed that this cheese is rich and artisanal, rivaling fine European cheeses. Kokoborrego is made by the Sippel family and available at the Clintonville Farmer's market, Columbus restaurants, and stores coming soon.

At right are the Hickory Bark products from Simply Gourmet Syrups. Michael Jaeb, founder and producer, shared his story of turning local and seasonal ingredients into gourmet flavored syrups and jams. His background in design is apparent as everything about the syrup stand is arranged and labeled with an old-timey feel. The showcase product, shagbark hickory syrup, is a completely new flavor to me, nutty and sarsaparilla-like. You can order Simple Gourmet Syrups through their website or find them at other markets throughout the state.

I applaud New Albany for selecting fine vendors and a beautiful location. Family-friendly local businesses surrounding the square include the library, a toy store, gift shops, and restaurants. Though it is a 20 minute drive from Clintonville, I will return with plans to stay and explore more of Market Square next time.

If you go:

• Bring cash and reusable bags as always. If you plan to buy cheese or meat, consider carrying a cooler or ice pack too.
• Check out the weekly highlights schedule for a list of special events and entertainment.
• Consider traffic if coming from other parts of the city. Sometimes the intersection of 161 and 270 can be congested.
• Find restrooms in the public library.
• Connect with New Albany organizers on Facebook and/or Twitter.

Have you been to New Albany Farmers Market? What market do you want to read about next?

More Hounds in the Kitchen farmers market reviews:

Pearl Alley Market

Easton Farmers Market

Support Share Our Strength

Do you know about Share our Strength? It's an organization dedicated to feeding the hungry in America. They raise funds through donations and programs like the Great American Bake Sale and Taste of the Nation. Then, Share Our Strength distributes financial and programming support to organizations throughout the country that are addressing local hunger needs with nutritious food. Yahoo! has committed $20,000 to end hunger in America on behalf of the Foodbuzz community of publishers and readers, of which Hounds in the Kitchen is a part.

Readers have the opportunity to show your applause for this partnership by setting Yahoo! as your homepage by clicking on this link. Let them know you appreciate their gift to Share Our Strength by changing your homepage. Foodbuzz is asking all of us to raise awareness about this important cause by sharing the campaign on Facebook and Twitter.

I was pleased to talk to a local food organization this weekend who may be partnering with Share Our Strength soon. It's not my news to share but I support Share Our Strength even more knowing that they will be making change in my community.

Pearl Alley Farmer's Market

Tucked between Broad, High, Gay, and Third Streets in downtown Columbus is the tiny Pearl Alley. On Tuesdays and Fridays the alley fills with tents, food, and downtown workers during the Pearl Farmer's Market. Pearl Alley has a different feel than other Farmer's Markets in Columbus. It is a lunch hour market, so the vendors tend on the side of homemade food and produce essentials. There are few crowds and none of the 'get there first before the fruit runs out' mentality.

On the day Lil and I went in mid June 2011, we saw three or four fresh produce stands selling strawberries, peas, lettuces, and the season's first zucchini. There were several vendors of homemade sweets, two lovely bread stands, and places to buy meat, cheese, and lunch foods like sandwiches, samosas, and drinks. Several vendors were selling household goods including homemade soap, clothing, and flowers.

Lest you think that Pearl Alley is only for office workers, let me reassure that kids and families are very welcome. There is often a musical act performing, vendors are very friendly with kids, and samples draw in foodies of all ages.

The market is situated within easy walking distance of the new Columbus Commons, the Ohio Statehouse and the Santa Maria. It is fun to make a day of exploring our state capital on foot.

Parking is fairly easy to find at meters on Third, in the garage under the Statehouse, or in the Columbus Commons garage. COTA buses run frequently downtown too.

Lil and I enjoy touring farmer's markets around town. We attended the opening day of the Easton Farmer's Market, regularly visit Clintonville and Worthington, and look forward to hitting up New Albany or OSU this week. The Columbus Farmers' Market Blog just posted a great list of markets by day - there's something for everyone!

If you go:

• Bring change for meters or cash for the bus/parking garage.
• Carry cash for purchases or go to the red Pearl Alley market tent to purchase tokens with your credit or debit card.
• Bring an insulated bag if you plan to buy meats or dairy. Downtown is hot with all the pavement and you don't want your food to spoil.
• Come hungry. There are so many great choices for lunch!
• Be ready to picnic. There aren't a lot of seating options at the market, but just across Broad Street is the Ohio Statehouse with lots of benches, stairs and grass perfect for picnics.
• The Pearl Market is open 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 17 through October 28.

Will Allen is Coming to Columbus!!

Have you heard? Two weeks from today, Will Allen will be here with staff from Growing Power to educate and inspire central Ohio gardeners and food lovers! Who is Will Allen?

The New York Times magazine article 'Street Farmer' provided my first introduction to Allen and his company Growing Power. From the cover photo of his strong hands holding precious garden worms to the thoughtful questions raised and answered by Allen's work in urban agriculture, the Times tells all.

That is, everything up to the publication date of July 2009. In the intervening years, Will Allen's fame and funding has grown. In 2010 he was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people and serves as an advisor to the Obama whitehouse on matters of garden and food education, among other accolades.

I am thrilled that Stiletto Gardener of Columbus Ohio is the newest Regional Outreach Training Center for Will Allen's Growing Power initiative. Ameena Salahuddin, the Stiletto Gardener, is leading the way for Will Allen to train hundreds of gardeners here in central Ohio over the next five years.

Learn from Growing Power

Allen's first visit will be July 15 - 17, 2011. He will give a keynote address on Friday night and a two-day workshop on Saturday and Sunday.

The keynote address will be held at 6 pm at Franklin Park Conservatory. Tickets for this event are $35 per person.

A semi-private reception at 5 pm will allow visitors to meet Allen personally. Tickets for the reception, including keynote address, are $50 and selling fast.

The Saturday and Sunday intensive is a series of workshops on hoop house building, composting, aquaponics, vermiculture, and microgreen production. Held at Stiletto Gardener's site in Blacklick, the workshop costs $170 per person. The workshop ticket includes lunch and the keynote address.

Buy tickets to the Will Allen keynote or workshop online or by contacting Ameena at 614-859-4105.

Will I see you there?

Photo by Pete Amland (UWM Photographic Services)

New Experiences in the Old Hometown

Ale, Lil and I have lived in Columbus, Ohio for a combined total of over fifty years. This city is surprising in its depth and there are hundreds of places and experiences we have never had in and around our hometown. Taking inspiration from Kate's list of things she wants to do in Columbus, here are new things (or things we haven't done in a LONG time) we want to do this summer:

• Check out the Columbus Commons (Done on 5/27 before I even got this post out of the cue; can you spot me in Cbus Mom's review?)
• Explore the Columbus Museum of Art Center for Creativity
• Trek to The Wilds
• Spend a day at Aha!, the Boonshoft Museum, or another children's museum nearby
• Walk around Serpent Mound
• Take an OEFFA Farm Tour or two
• Read with the Columbus Metro Library Summer Reading Club I'm participating as an adult for the first time!
• Visit the Franklin County Fair
• View the COSI Dinosaur Exhibit (Done 5/31 on a fantastically not crowded day.)
• Shop the Athens Farmer's Market
• Camp at a new-to-us Ohio State Park (I'm thinking Kelly's Island)
• Go bowling, ice skating, and/or roller skating Lil has never done any of these!
• Watch a performance in a park

I will update this post as we check things off the list.

Do you have any must-see Ohio places to recommend? What are you up to this summer?

PS. I realize that it isn't officially summer until June 21, but with the stinking hot weather I think we can start planning, don't you?

Preserving at Wild Goose!

In partnership with Wild Goose Creative, I am pleased to announce a new series of home preserving classes. Join me on third Tuesdays from 6:30 - 8:30 to preserve local fresh foods by freezing, canning, drying and curing. Each workshop will include hands on experience, tastings, recipes, and a sample to take home.

Schedule

6/21: Jam Canning -  We will use a seasonal fruit to make jam and freeze berries. The basic water bath methods in this class are the same as those to can jelly or fresh fruit.

7/19: Tomatoes - What to do with an excess of tomatoes? I will teach how to make and can sauce, demonstrate dehydrating, and share recipes for canning-ready barbecue sauce and ketchup.

8/16: Pickling - Using traditional vinegar and lacto-fermented methods, we will create pickled cucumbers and peppers.

9/20: Apples - I will share my favorite ways to enjoy apples year round including dehydrating, canning applesauce, and storing long term.

10/18: Home Charcuterie - Learn how to make pancetta and bacon at home with no special tools or equipment. Alex and I will also demonstrate how to make sausage and sample a variety of home cured meats.

Pricing

We are offering several pricing options, starting at $30 per class. Choose the whole series and save over 10%.

Visit the Wild Goose Creative Preserving Series page to register. Class size is limited, so sign up today to fill your jars and freezer this summer!

Wild Goose Creative

Wild Goose Creative is about a lot of things. It’s about sustainable partnerships and artistic collaborations. It’s about giving artists resources and facilitating their work. It’s about creating a space for people to experience art and engage each other. Mostly, Wild Goose Creative is about building a vibrant community of people who care about art and who want to change the world.

The Wild Goose gallery and class space is located at 2491 Summit Street in Columbus, OH 43202, just north of Ohio State University campus.