COOKING CLASSES
with
Originally a caterer and personal chef, Sue later became Culinary Coordinator for D&W Food Centers where she designed and operated the first recreational cooking school in Western Michigan, as well as running in-store demo programs for seven locations.
Over the years, Sue continued her passion for good food by producing and hosting the television show Get Fresh With Sue Chef, a farm-to-table cooking show that aired on every public television station in Michigan. A successful bottled spice line and cookbook soon followed. Sue is married to another chef, of course. Together they own and operate four restaurants: Ottawa Beach Inn in Holland, The Mermaid Bar and Grill and Baldy’s Smoked Meats in Saugatuck, and Matchbox Diner and Drinks in Grand Rapids. |
Spring 2022 (April – June)
Demonstration Cooking Classes with Sue Chef
Cooking classes at the Cooking School at Isabel's are demonstration-style with some limited hands–on experiences. Class sizes are limited to 16, so the experience is personal, fun + safe — so sign up early!
While you sip a glass of perfectly-paired wine, beer, or cocktail, learn new culinary facts and skills from Sue Chef and her carefully selected Guest Chefs! |
This season, we have added to our list of talented culinary educators with Kate Bolt from Living Lark, Jill Emmick from Graze 2 Gather, Ellie Roberts from Custom Cupcakerie Co., Charles “Smitty” Golczynski from Mokaya Artisan Chocolates, and Isabel’s Culinary Director, Sue Chef!
Come hungry because there will be hearty samples of each dish. Leave with a full belly and a packet of recipes you can try at home. Classes are held at Isabel’s (310 Blue Star Highway, Douglas, MI 49406).
Cooking with a Cast Iron Skillet
with Sue Chef
DATE + TIME
Tue, April 5, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET |
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What’s all the fuss about cooking with cast iron? It is 100% worth it! Sue Chef shares with you her knowledge on how to use, clean and season, as well as some tried + true recipes for anything from appetizers to desserts.
Wine Bites
with Sue Chef
DATE + TIME
Tue, April 12, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET |
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Simple appetizers that pair perfectly with wine: If casual entertaining is your thing, then this class is for you! This class follows along with one of Sue Chef’s favorite cookbooks, Wine Bites by Barbara Scott Goodman. Sue demonstrates several of the recipes from the book with ample samples for all, along with perfect wine pairings.
One-dish Suppers
with Sue Chef
DATE + TIME
Tue, April 19, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET |
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Who doesn’t love a one-dish supper? Less mess, easy clean up, and everything you need in one pot to make a healthy, delicious meal! Sue Chef demonstrates classics like braised beef short ribs, shepherd’s pie, as well as some unique dishes such as Moroccan chicken with olives + lemon, and cioppino (a delicious San Franciscan-Italian soup.)
Mother’s Day Cocktails + Desserts
with Kate Bolt from Living Lark
DATE + TIME
Fri, April 29, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET |
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Plan an extra special event for your mother (or anyone special in your life) with recipes and cocktails from Kate Bolt. Unwind from your week at our Friday night class with snacks + spring Lillet cocktail to start the weekend right! Fennel grapefruit salad + lavender white chocolate shortbread follows. The class ends with a cold brew coffee cocktail + a sugar cookie tart —the perfect ending to your special meal.
Taste the Rainbow: Dessert Boards for Kids
with Jill Emmick from Graze 2 Gather + Ellie Roberts from Custom Cupcakerie Co.
DATE + TIME
Sat, Apr 30, 2022
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM ET |
Adults (18+) $80*
Children (4–17) $30* |
Create a beautiful and fun dessert board with cupcake decorating, chocolate-covered strawberries, cake pops, and fruit art. Adults will decorate big cupcakes and kiddos will decorate several mini cupcakes.
Each attendee receives a board to take home that includes a cupcake, chocolate-covered berries + cake pops. Adult ticket price is $80 and child ticket is $30. You are welcome to come with multiple children, but please remember that each child may need assistance with assembly.
Each attendee receives a board to take home that includes a cupcake, chocolate-covered berries + cake pops. Adult ticket price is $80 and child ticket is $30. You are welcome to come with multiple children, but please remember that each child may need assistance with assembly.
Tacos + Tequila by Playa
with Sue Chef + Eric Chaitin from Playa Tacos and Tequlia
DATE + TIME
Thu, May 5, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET |
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Are you interested in the new restaurant concept coming to Holland this spring, Playa Tacos and Tequila? Well, Sue Chef, and her husband, Eric Chaitin, are the owners of the new, exciting restaurant due to open this year! Sue has somehow convinced Eric to share and pre-sample some of Playa’s offerings, such as tacos al pastor, baja fish, as well as sample several of Playa’s 150+ different tequilas. ¡Salud!
An Exploration of Chocolate
with Charles "Smitty" Golczynski from Mokaya Artisan Chocolates
DATE + TIME
Tue, May 10, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET |
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Smitty is a multitalented chef with over 35 years’ experience. His latest passion is chocolate. Learn about chocolate history + background, how cacao is processed and becomes chocolate, tasting various types of chocolate + what it means to temper chocolate. We wouldn’t tease you with a chocolate class and not serve you the good stuff: Smitty demonstrates + serves pot de crème, chocolate icing, fudge cake, and cocoa-butter designed chocolate plaquettes.
Charcuterie Cups + Hors D'Œuvres on a Skewer: Perfect for Beach + Boat
with Jill Emmick from Graze 2 Gather
DATE + TIME
Thu, May 19, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EDT |
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Learn to craft your own single-serving charcuterie cups with mini salami roses and delicious brie bites. Create skewered finger-bites that are perfect for the lake, boat, or backyard BBQ, like: watermelon, mint + feta cheese; pear, brie + arugula; melon, prosciutto + basil; antipasto skewers; and beef tenderloin crostini skewers.
Trendy Summer Cocktails
with Kate Bolt from Living Lark
DATE + TIME
Tue, May 31, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EDT |
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Learn new tricks for your home bar and pick up the new trends at this fun class taught by Kate Bolt from Living Lark. Kate shows us how to mix up a low AVB spritz, put a new twist on an old school cocktail with lots of bitters (huge trend alert!) + we will have tequila cocktails two-ways — because this summer will be all about tequila, tequila, tequila! The biggest trend in summer cocktails are COCKTAIL CLASSES (No, really! It’s true!)
Summer Salads for Your Backyard Gathering
with Jill Emmick from Graze 2 Gather
DATE + TIME
Wed, June 1, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EDT |
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Summer is the perfect time for fresh herbs, farmer’s market produce + delicious roadside fruit stands. Salad recipes are Jill Emmick’s favorite way to showcase vibrant, in-season produce: fruits + veggies that are so good on their own that you don’t need to do much to make them into a delicious meal! On beautiful, warm days when you’d rather be outside than in the kitchen, summer salads are the solution: they’re simple to toss together but they’re totally delicious, nonetheless.
A Girl + A Grill
with Sue Chef
DATE + TIME
Tue, June 14, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET |
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Can you believe it? A girl can grill! Not just for the guys: watch experienced chef + grill master, Sue Chef, tame the flame. Get comfortable in our beautiful outdoor kitchen area while you watch Sue grill up everything from cedar-planked salmon, sesame soy marinated flank steaks, plus grilled pears with chocolate + gelato — just to name a few. Oh, and boys are allowed!
Pool Party⁑
with Kate Bolt from Living Lark
DATE + TIME
Tue, June 21, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EDT |
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Let us take the work out of planning a party with tips + tricks, plus a full party plan. Boozy popsicles, hot pink beet hummus cups with crudités, pork tenderloin sliders, and so much more will be on the poolside menu. In addition, receive an autographed copy of Kate’s book, Lark Parties. Leave your swimwear at home — there’s no actual pool at this party — only good fun.
⁑Pool not included.
* exclusive of any platform fees and surcharges
You may cancel your registration up to two weeks prior to class for a full refund. No refunds can be issued after the two-week window, however you may transfer your ticket to another party at any time prior to class. The Cooking School at Isabel's and Sue Chef may cancel class at any time, for reasons unknown (such as weather, illness, mechanical issues, etc.) You will be personally notified via text or email and a full refund will be issued or class will be rescheduled at an agreed upon date.
Well preserved.
View all of our current classes (listed here on this page), as well as nearly-all of the classes we've hosted in the past.