Cooking Class at Discovery Arts Academy in Cary, NC

I'm taking Zacki's Catering Creations in a different direction now with teaching, speaking and private caterings; and they all bring me personal satisfaction. One of my favorite days, is the last day of my Culinary Arts class at Discovery Arts Academy in Cary, NC. This is when the students prepare a lunch for their invited guests (teachers, friends, family) to "show and tell." It is not just about "cooking," but setting a beautiful buffet table, displaying the gift baskets filled with jams, cookies and flowers and being the ultimate host. On one such Friday, a young student proudly gave a tour to my sister, Karen. He showed her his cubby hole, shared details about the classroom and the kitchen, but when he got to the girls' bathroom, let her peek in by herself. Karen, a former teacher, was very impressed with everything! And despite the wind, we had an outdoors picnic that afternoon. This past Friday was too hot for dining al fresco, so we set the stage indoors for "An Ancient Mediterranean Meal: Foods from the Time of Jesus". Candles were lit, roses scattered and the buffet lunch of the first century was served. Even the teachers had many questions about foods of that time and the importance of keeping Kosher!

 

Most of our students were Russian and all seemed to enjoy learning about ancient foods and making gift baskets for moms.

Our unleavened bread was toasted pita.

From Genesis House to Grey Stone Baptist Church: A Healthy Mediterranean Meal Cooking Class and presentation.

We recently held a cooking class in Durham's Genesis House kitchen. This is a home for 3 families in transition. Most of the enthusiastic participants were kids eager to learn. Though this was a different menu from the usual fast food fare, many stepped in to prepare a delicious supper. There was hardly a crumb left.


This Sunday, at Grey Stone Baptist Church, we briefly joined the stage with Dr. Allan Wangler of Duke. He was the keynote speaker, with his
3-D presentation of the Shroud of Turin; a topic of passion and controversy that he has devoted thousands of hours to research.



We again held a cooking class in the church's kitchen with an amazing group of volunteers, who smashed and mashed with out the aid of a food processor. They toted, decorated tables with palm fronds, served and cleaned up. After a brief talk about: An Ancient Mediterranean Meal; Foods at the time of Jesus, everyone seemed to enjoy this low cholesterol, low calorie diet...and the salad and veggies went first.
Here was our menu:
• Sparkling Grape Juice
• Hummus with Pita Bread
• Salad of Mixed Bitter Greens/Spinach with Dried Apricots and
Plums, Sesame Sticks and a Pomegranate Molasses Dressing
• Citron/Rosemary Chicken served with Seven Grains and Grilled
Vegetables (Onions/Leeks/Olives)
• Fresh Melons, Grapes and Apricot/Plum
Almond Bars

Cooking Classes

 

Fall Classes
We are offering a series of custom classes at the professional kitchen EV SouthPoint Market, our home or yours. Our purpose is to teach the basics of courtesy, cooking skills, crafts & self-esteem. Our minimum is 4 persons per class. Classes are 90 minutes except where specified. Times can be arranged to suit your schedule and classes customized for your interest.
E-mail: zacki@zackiscateringcreations.com with questions or to sign up

Fall Treats
Mondays for 4-6 year old boys & girls at $35 each. Sweet treat making and card creations; all in a take home basket. Bring small basket, photos of family, pets and favorite things.

A "Sweet Pea" Tea Party
Tuesdays for 4-6 year old girls at $40 each. Our tea parties include making crafts, invitations, preparing tea faire and hosting.

Minding Your Manners
Wednesdays for children over 7 at $50 each. Over a light meal they have prepared, children learn the basics of good manners at home, school and in public. Table setting and introductions will be demonstrated. A session for the whole family called: "Taking My Manners on the Road" can be taught at your home, church or school.

AS SEEN ON WRAL
"S'more Chocolate, Please!"
Thursdays for kids over 6 at $35 each. Good Manners & chocolate treats! "Ms. Manners" will share tips on entertaining & recipes even Willy Wonka would envy!

"Girls Night Out" Soup's On!
Wednesdays are our continued classes. Minimum of 4 adults. $50 pp includes drinks, food and recipes to take home. You will be hands on making three fall/winter soups. By night's end, you will have had fun, soups to take home, new recipes to share with your family & friends!

"Girl's Night Out"- Wine Pairing & Hors D'oeuvres
Thursdays from are our classes with a minimum of 4 adults. The class fee of $60 includes wine and hors d'oeuvres. Wines are paired to match our delicious party fare such as; Gorgonzola/Pecan Grapes, Shrimp Toasts, Curried Chicken Salad in Pastry. Other custom cooking classes offered: "Holiday Treats” and “What to do with Left-Overs!”