Photograph by Deborah Lee Soltesz/Flickr.
It’s the season for gingerbread house envy, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are six culinary classes to up your holiday cooking and baking game.
Festive Bread Workshop in Sur La Table
The cookware chain is offering a bunch of fun holiday classes at various DC-area locations, focusing on everything from savory Christmas tamales and ravioli to decorative breads (see the lineup here). We have our eye on a class of raspberry loafs and hazelnut chocolate babkas, offered at locations on Pentagon Row (1101 S. Joyce St., Suite B-20, Arlington), Alexandria (326 King St., Alexandria ) and Pike & Rose (11874 Grand Park Ave., Bethesda). Students will also get a 10 percent discount on everything they buy in the store that same day. The price of the course is $89 and you can find the closest class and choose your date here.
Teddy Bear Fondant Modeling Class at Fran’s
Join Steph Lawshe of Sweet Little Morsels for a fondant modeling class at Fran’s Cake and Candy Supplies (10927 Main St., Fairfax) in Sunday, December 4. Attendees will learn how to sculpt a teddy bear cake topper for holiday celebrations. Students will receive detailed instructions that they can use to build a variety of different fondant decorations. The class costs $135 and is from 10 am to 1:30 pm; buy tickets here.
Winter cookie decoration with sugar coated bakery
Take your cookie decorating to the next level with this class at Lost Boy Cider (327 Hooffs Run Dr., Alexandria) in Tuesday, December 6. Spend 90 minutes learning how to decorate beautiful cookies in three different winter shapes with instructors from Sugar Coated Bakery. All the baking, bagging, and mixing will now be done so participants can start decorating right away. Tickets for the class are $60 and include additional recipes and instructions.
Sweeten the season with Chef Bill Yosses
Grab a spot in this hot ticket dessert class at Thursday, December 8 with former White House pastry chef and cookbook author, Bill Yosses, who is moving to the Hamilton Hotel for vacation (1001 Northwest 14th Street). In addition to making sweet treats, participants will receive a welcome glass of champagne, Yosses’ latest cookbook, and meet and greet with the author. The class is from 5-7 pm and tickets are $105; buy them here.
Holiday Cocktail Class at Lena’s
The loft at Lena’s house (401 E. Braddock Rd., Alexandria) is hosting an interactive cocktail class at Monday, December 12 bound to take your holiday drinks to the next level. In addition to learning how to make three libations, guests will be served a prix-fixe dinner and also receive a cocktail gift bag that they can use to kick-start their holiday bar at home. The experience takes place from 6 to 8 pm and costs $170 per person. Tickets can be purchased here.
Gingerbread Bootcamp with Culinaria
Culinary Cooking School (110 Pleasant St. NW, Vienna) is organizing a two-day class in December 17 and 18 to help participants put together amazing gingerbread houses to display throughout the season. With expert guidance along the way, attendees will cut and bake the components for their home, then return the next day to decorate. Children up to eight years old can participate with an adult and the course costs $170. Buy your tickets here.
