COOKING CLASSES
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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. |
Winter 2022 (January – March)
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 currently limited to 12–16, so the experience is personal, fun, and safe during these challenging times!
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 the likes of Kate Bolt from Living Lark, Sofia Occhialini from The Italian Spoon, Chef Missy Corey from Pennyroyal Café & Provisions, and, as always, our in-house sommelier, Mindy Trafman, 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. Seating continues to be limited, to 12–16 people, so sign up early!
Hearty Italian Soups
with Sofia Occhialini from The Italian Spoon
DATE + TIME
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Tuesday, January 11, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET 🆕 Wednesday, January 12, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET |
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It's cold outside, and there is nothing healthier and better to warm the soul than a hearty bowl of soup! Our guest Italian chef (and native Italian) + food expert, Sophia Occhialini, shares some of her Italian classics and family favorites, such as minestrone alla milanese, riso e patate (rice + potato soup) minestra d'orzo (barley soup) as well as ribollita toscana. All that accompanied by a sampling of Field&Fire bread + wines perfectly-paired by Mindy Trafman.
Mediterranean Diet
with Sue Chef
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Tuesday, January 18, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET |
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In the 1960s, Greeks were living longer and had lower rates of chronic disease than the rest of the world. This is likely due to their diet, which was full of seafood, fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, and healthy fats. The Mediterranean Diet is based on a traditional Greek diet and other similar food patterns of nearby countries. Sue Chef demos and serves some Mediterranean classics like hummus and pita bread, tzatziki and dolmades, avgolemono (lemon chicken soup), saganaki shrimp, Israeli couscous with tomatoes, feta + olives. Don’t forget dessert! We finish with some Greek sweets for a perfect ending.
Weekends are for Brunching
with Kate Bolt from Living Lark + Shanna Housman
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Saturday, January 22, 2022
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM ET |
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Enjoy brunching with friends as Kate Bolt + Shanna Housman, our guest brunch aficionados, join forces to demonstrate and offer you four courses of food with cocktails (or mocktails, if you prefer) to match. Kate Bolt, local author + food writer, shows off menus from one of her books, Lark Parties. Here’s a sample of what you can expect at this class: a French 75 cocktail in your hand upon arrival, fennel grapefruit salad, prosciutto eggs paired with a homemade bloody Mary cocktail/mocktail and Shanna’s berry scones with a cup of strong coffee to send you back out into the real world.
Under-$10 Italian Meals
with Sofia Occhialini from The Italian Spoon
DATE + TIME
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Tuesday, January 25, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET |
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Italian food is so delicious and, surprisingly, affordable! Pasta, breads, and vegetables that are readily available, and inexpensive, sometimes make the best dishes. Sofia Occhialini, our guest Italian chef (and native Italian) + food expert, demonstrates several of her favorite dishes from her home country, such as: rotoli di frittata, aglio olio e peperoncino, and pollo al limone, to name a few. Enjoy a full meal, plus wines perfectly-paired by Mindy Trafman.
Pasta Party: So Many Sauces, So Many Pastabilites
with Sofia Occhialini from The Italian Spoon
DATE + TIME
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Tuesday, February 1, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET |
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The key to many great dishes, especially pasta, is the sauce. Once again, Sofia Occhialini will share her secret sauce recipes with us to top off any style of pasta for a deliciously entertaining night! Here are a few examples of what you can expect: tomato basil, sun-dried tomato + gorgonzola, papalina and amatriciana, along with perfectly-paired wines with each dish by Mindy Trafman.
That’s Amore! Valentines Cooking for Two
with Sofia Occhialini from The Italian Spoon
DATE + TIME
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Tuesday, February 8, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET 🆕 Wednesday, February 9, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET |
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Nothing says love like an Italian home cooked meal! Join Sofia Occhialini, our guest Italian chef (and native Italian) + food expert, for a romantic Valentine’s dinner for two. In this demonstration style class she shows you how to create a romantic dinner in your own home, with dishes like capesante su crema di cannellini, bubbling prosecco risotto, Italian martini roasted chicken and extra-virgin olive oil chocolate mousse. This romantic meal comes with a sparkling cocktail + wines perfectly-paired by Mindy Trafman.
Get Your Braise On
with Sue Chef
DATE + TIME
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Tuesday, February 15, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET |
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Braising is a combination-cooking method that uses both wet + dry heats. It is a technique that takes tougher cuts and allows them to break down to tender melt-in-your-mouth morsels. Sue Chef demonstrates three different methods of braising: red wine, vinegar, and soy sauce braises. All three impart unique, delicious flavors that will make you cry for more! Enjoy the fruits of Sue Chef’s labor by trying ample portions of each, along with vegetables and Field&Fire bread, plus wines + beer perfectly-paired with each dish by Mindy Trafman.
Charcuterie for Kids
with Kate Bolt from Living Lark + Jill Emmick from Graze 2 Gather
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Saturday, February 19, 2021
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET |
Adults (18+) $80*
Children (4–17) $30* |
In this class, Kate & Jill, both food enthusiasts + parents, show you the ABCs of designing the most beautiful and kid-friendly charcuterie boards! Kitchen basics will be taught in a kid-appropriate and safe manner. Awaken your child’s, and your own, creative side by learning to make pepperoni roses, and salami rivers! This class is perfect for all kids, and especially great for your picky eaters, as research shows when kids are involved in food preparation, they are more likely to eat what they have helped to prepare. We’re hard-pressed to think of anyone who can refuse a delicious charcuterie board!
The class includes a board for each adult, a smaller board for each child, and a mini charcuterie cone to snack on during class. 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.
The class includes a board for each adult, a smaller board for each child, and a mini charcuterie cone to snack on during class. 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.
Taste of Florence
with Sofia Occhialini from The Italian Spoon
DATE + TIME
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Tuesday, February 22, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET 🆕 Wednesday, February 23, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET |
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Italian cuisine is as diverse as the countryside itself! Every region has its own culinary twist. In this demonstration class, our guest Italian chef (and native Italian) + food expert, Sofia, whips up iconic dishes from Florence, such as: panzanella, gnudi, bistecca alla fiorentina con patate, camtucci vin santo, as plus wines from the region perfectly-paired with each dish by Mindy Trafman.
Butchery 101: How to Break Down a Whole Animal
with Missy Corey from Pennyroyal Café & Provisions
DATE + TIME
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Tuesday, March 1, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET |
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What a unique opportunity to learn and respect the whole animal! Our guest chef, Missy Corey, is an accomplished butcher, as well as chef, who says, “all you need is a good knife and some hands on experience!” Many folks buy their meat from the grocery store, never really knowing where, on the animal, each cut is from. In this enlightening class, Chef Corey breaks down a whole pig, right in front of you, while describing each cut, and giving examples of how to use them. Expect charcuterie to be served, as well as some tastes of a few of Missy’s favorite delicious pork dishes, plus wines + beers perfectly-paired with each dish by Mindy Trafman.
Cocktails + Appetizers of Italy
with Kate Bolt of Living Lark + Sofia Occhialini from The Italian Spoon
DATE + TIME
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Tuesday, March 8, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET 🆕 Wednesday, March 9, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET |
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In Italy, the experience of aperitivo is a cultural ritual. Our guest Italian chef (and native Italian) + food expert, Sofia Occhialini, teams up with our guest cocktail specialist, Kate Bolt, to entertain you with bellinis, americanos, Aperol spritzes and limoncellos along with lavender gin collins, and tons of amuse-bouche! Cin cin! (How Italians say “cheers!”)
Four Cheese Ravioli
with Sofia Occhialini from The Italian Spoon
DATE + TIME
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Tuesday, March 15, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET |
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Have you ever wanted to roll your own pasta? Are you curious just how easy it is to make your own homemade ravioli? We don’t think there’s a better person to teach you this than Sofia Occhialini, our guest Italian chef + food expert. Sofia grew up in Italy, and jokes she was weaned on pasta! In this hands-on class, roll up your sleeves, and learn how to make pasta + ravioli the real way — the Italian way. Expect samples to bring home + and some snacks and beverages to enjoy while learning.
Art + Hors D'Œuvres Workshop
with guest artist Ruth Crowe + Sue Chef
DATE + TIME
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Tuesday March 22, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET 🆕 Wednesday March 23, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET |
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This unique, hands-on class is more than just the art of cooking. Professional artist and special guest, Ruth Crowe, teaches you how to do your own encaustic art (the art of painting with colored wax.) Ruth provides the materials and instruction to create your own masterpieces during this two-hour class. While the workshop is in progress, Sue Chef provides heavy hors d'œuvres + wine and beer to enjoy (we think it might inspire you while creating!)
* exclusive of any platform fees and surcharges
Keeping All of Us Safe
All customers who attend Isabel’s cooking classes must provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination (CDC card or digital copy is acceptable) before entering the cooking class. All customers are also required to wear masks until seated. Please note that Isabel's employees and guest chefs are also subject to these same rules and will be masked throughout the class, unless speaking.
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.
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