Culinary Arts

Spend a weekend immersed in the charm of afternoon tea as you learn to bake and assemble an array of sweet and savory delights. In this hands-on class, different groups will prepare a variety of specialties – such as airy popovers fresh from the oven, smooth and tangy fruit curds, delicate gougères with a savory filling, and elegant tartlets with seasonal flavors – along with other tea-time favorites. On the final afternoon, you’ll gather in the cozy Dragon’s Fire Café, where tiered trays, steaming pots of tea, and your own handmade creations come together for a relaxed and celebratory afternoon tea experience. Please feel free to wear your best garden party bonnet to the tea – it’s the perfect finishing touch for the occasion! Instructor: Chef David Milburn.

This two-day, hands-on personal enrichment course explores the techniques behind enriched doughs with a focus on rolling and shaping methods. Participants will learn to mix, handle, and develop doughs enriched with ingredients such as butter, eggs, and sugar, while building foundational skills in fermentation, gluten development, and proper dough handling. Throughout the course, students will prepare a selection of classic baked goods, including pecan sticky buns, soft pretzels, and Russian hazelnut bread. Emphasis will be placed on dough consistency, rolling techniques, shaping, and baking for optimal texture and flavor. By the end of the course, participants will gain practical skills and confidence to recreate these specialty breads at home. Instructor: Chef David Milburn.