Strawberries!

Yum. Fresh strawberries. Pair that with several good chefs who will teach you what they know about cooking with strawberries. Adds up to one great evening.

I just received this e-mail from Gigi Trattoria (one of my favorite Rhinebeck restaurants), Gigi Market at Grieg Farm in Red Hook (my newest fave place to shop for food) and Jessica Bard (a chef and writer who is a frequent freelance contributor to Hudson Valley Connoisseur magazine.) It takes place tonight -- so hurry if you want to make reservations!

Thursday, June 14
Gigi Market and Warren Kitchen & Cutlery present a cooking class to herald the first of the Hudson Valley's summer fruits: Strawberries!

Join this special collaboration of Gigi Trattoria Executive Chef Jesse Frederick and Pastry Chef Madolyn Noll along with Warren Kitchen's Jessica Bard.

The Gigi Market retail and dining areas will be transformed into a theater-style cooking demonstration classroom complete with a suspended mirror. Every guest will have a clear view of the chefs as they prepare sweet and savory strawberry delights and share special tips and techniques. Recipe tasting and light refreshments will be served.

6:30 - 8:30 pm
$20 per person, payable in advance or at the door.
Reservations suggested.
Call Gigi Market to reserve your spot!
845.758.1999

Gigi Market is located at Grieg Farms on Pitcher Lane in Red Hook, NY 12571

PS -- you'll find a GREAT recipe for Mixed Berry & Chocolate Crisp (it uses strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, dark chocolate, and Grand Marnier) in the June-July issue of Hudson Valley Connoisseur. It was created by our food columnist, Certified Master Chef Tom Griffiths, who is an expert at creating nutritional and delicious food! (There's a list of places that sell the magazine at the Web site.)