Friday, April 9, 2010

SDC Culinary School Expedition

The Silver Dollar City Culinary School is starting its third year of operation at this popular theme park near Branson, Missouri. I described the school in the April 18, 2009, blogpost, titled "SDC Culinary Class". My class this year was once again during the World-Fest Celebration, which means the classes offered have the theme of celebrating foods from around the world. One almost feels "on top of the world" as you visit the lovely wrap-around porch at the culinary school location. Directly below you is the amphitheater where outdoor concerts are held, and beyond that, the view stretches across mountain after mountain of Ozark scenery. In fact, the school is making the most of that great view by offering on select evenings throughout the year, a special event that consists of a culinary demonstration, a full course meal, and your very own rocking chair to enjoy the special concert going on in the amphitheater below, known as Echo Hollow.

While you are waiting for your class to begin, you can shop at the Culinary school's gift shop that is stocked with specialty kitchen gadgets that might be just the right surprise for your favorite chef back home. This photo collage shows Rose, the "Craft Ambassador" holding up one of the special aprons printed with the school's logo.

Returning as the master craftsman of culinary arts is Debbie Dance Uhrig, shown in this photo. She is shown in this photo as she was demonstrating the creation of a Sicilian-style pizza. She pointed out in the copy of each recipe that she gave the participants that she likes to keep the number of ingredients to a minimum. The reason for this is so as not to discourage someone from attempting to cook something new, because they are "overwhelmed" by how many items they will have to gather up and measure for a particular dish. She said one of her main goals is just to try to get more people to try their hand at cooking.

The knife and fork that are welded into the dinner bell at the entrance of the school (upper right photo),give a clue that one does, indeed, get to sample the items that are being demonstrated. It is no coincidence that I chose a class that involved preparing two of my favorite dishes---pizza and salad---both of which were delicious!! I would definitely agree with the words of the Old Testament prophet, whose question is pondered in Isaiah 55:2 and says "Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare." If you would like to learn more about the classes, log on to www.sdcculinarycraftschool.com Miles of smiles! Tricia
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