Temperatures recently may have leaned summery, but apples are in the markets everywhere. And that’s a sure harbinger of fall.
To celebrate, The Farm Cooking School is holding “Community Apple Day” Sunday, October 15 at its home base at 67 Pleasant Valley Road in Titusville, an address that’s also home to the Roots to River organic farm and the Barn at Gravity Hill. The school was founded by chef-teacher Ian Knauer, who brought on board his former colleague at Gourmet magazine, chef-teacher Shelley Wiseman.
The cooking class celebrating all things apple will take place from 3:30 to 6:30 pm and be taught by Marian Bolum. The fee is $95 per person. Students will make applesauce, pie filling and learn canning and preservation techniques. Bolum will explore the use of apples in dishes both savory and sweet. According to The Farm School, “an apple-heavy meal” will be served at the end of the class that features apples in soup, sandwich, salad and dessert.
To learn more about the school and its classes, and to register for the apple class, visit thefarmcookingschool.com.
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While we’re cooking, let’s take a look at the upcoming class schedule at Heirloom Kitchen, which is a culinary center that includes cooking classes, tastings and a restaurant that dovetails a la carte offerings and special multi-course tasting dinners. It’s located at 3853 Route 516 in Old Bridge. The owner is Neilly Robinson; chef-partner is David Viana.
Many classes for October are sold out. As we post, spots still are available for the following classes in November:
– Fried Chicken and Waffles: Thursday, November 2 at 7 pm
– Northern Italian Cuisine: Wednesday, November 8 at 6:30 pm
– Basic Skills: Tuesday, November 14 at 6:30 pm
– Vegan Thanksgiving: Wednesday, November 15 at 6:30 pm
– Steakhouse: Thursday, November 16 at 7 pm
– Israeli Brunch: Sunday, November 19 at 11 am
– Elevated Seafood: Thursday, November 30 at 7 pm
For more information and to register, call 732-727-9444 or visit heirloomkitchen.com.
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Piccola Italia and the Means Language Center are teaming up to present “Italian Lessons and Family-style Italian Dinner” on Friday, October 27, starting at 7:30 pm at the restaurant located at 837 West Park Avenue in Ocean Township.
The per-person cost for the lessons and dinner is $59.95, not including beverages, tax and tip.
The menu includes Mussels Amatriciana, Egggplant Rollatini, Spiedini, Manicotti, Sunday Sauce with Meatballs and Sausages, Chicken Cacciatore, Sautéed Escarole with Cannellini Beans, Tiramisu and Cannoli.
For details and reservations, call 732-493-3090 or visit piccolaitalianj.com.
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Here’s an update from our report last month on “After the Harvest Wine & Food,” an event to be presented by Provident Bank from 1 to 6 pm on Saturday, October 28 at Hudson County Community College in Jersey City.
Five New Jersey wineries have been added to the bill of vino: Autumn Lake Winery, Williamstown; Tomasello Winery, Hammonton; Valenzano Winery, Shamong; Villa Milagro Vineyards, Finesville; and Ventimiglia Vineyards, Wantage. All are members of the Garden State Wine Growers Association.
This event is a collaboration among the association, the Culinary Arts Institute of Hudson County Community College, and the Hudson County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development. In addition to tastings and samplings, there will be seminars, tutorials, food and entertainment.