Kitchen-skills classes arrive with the new year
The winter brings a variety of food and cooking classes to broaden your culinary skills and palette.
While cooking classes at Glorioso's Appetito have been canceled through January, other businesses are modifying class size and making changes in accordance with COVID-19 safety regulations. Classes are subject to change, but here are a few classes still scheduled.
New series of Korean cooking classes
Milwaukee Recreation is offering a new series of classes in traditional Korean cooking.
Learn how to prepare bulgogi, a Korean barbecue, rice cake soup and dumplings, kimchi pancakes and jjigae, a Korean stew, fried noodles, a spicy rice cake or bibimbap, a traditional dish of rice with vegetables and chili paste. The classes are 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays from Jan. 26 to March 9 at Hamilton High School, 6215 W. Warnimont Ave. Each class is $21 for Milwaukee residents; $32 for nonresidents. For registration, see the Winter Recreation Guide online at: mkerec.net
Tabal chocolate classes
A 101 Bean to Bar class is planned at Tabal, 7515 Harwood Ave. in Wauwatosa, which offers cacao sourced directly from farmers in Central and South America.
Taste and learn about the types of single-origin chocolate, chocolate that's made from one variety of cacao harvested in one region. Students will get an introduction to chocolate, learn what happens before the cacao reaches Tabal, see the ingredients and pour their own chocolate bars and decorate them with toppings.
The cost is $50, and the first class will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 21. Space is limited to 12 guests, so if the January class is full, additional classes are scheduled for Feb. 19 and March 18. To register visit tabalchocolate.com
Semolina pasta-making classes
Semolina, the new handmade-pasta shop in Bay View, has started holding hands-on pasta-making classes.
Because the classes are small, they fill up quickly. (Classes are limited to six people, and proof of vaccination and photo ID are required. Masks must be worn when not eating or drinking.)
People can sign up to receive emails notifying them when new classes have been added; the signup is at semolinamke.com/pasta-classes. Semolina also announces new classes on its Instagram and Facebook accounts.
The classes are two hours. A session on making fettuccine from a classic egg dough, for instance, would be $65. It includes a tasting of pasta with sauce (and a glass of wine or other beverage) at the end of the class. Participants also receive fresh fettuccine to cook at home.
Semolina is at 2474 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.; the number is (414) 249-4472.
Sweet Connection candy-making
The Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts in Cedarburg is offering candy making experiences in February and March.
A Valentine Chocolate Truffles class will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 2, and participants will create three 5-piece boxes of truffles, which include dark chocolate with raspberry and an Amaretto chocolate. An Irish Whiskey Caramel and Caramel Sauce class will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. March 2. Learn how to create soft, chewy caramels laced with whiskey, and how to prepare buttery smooth caramel sauce for serving over ice cream, apples or cheesecake.
The cost of either class is $50 for museum members; $55 for nonmembers. The museum is at W5050 Portland Road in Cedarburg. For more information: wiquiltmuseum.com
New cocktails at Hennessy Bar
A new bar opened this month on the northwest corner of the Fiserv Forum main concourse featuring basketball-themed drinks, the Alley-Oop and the Jumpshot Ginger Cocktail.
Hennessy, the official Cognac of the NBA, will be featured in the two cocktails. The Alley-Oop is an orangethemed cocktail with orange juice, tonic and an orange slice. And the Jumpshot Ginger Cocktail features cranberry juice, ginger ale, lemon juice and a lime wedge.
Fiserv Forum is at 1111 Phillips Ave. Hennessy Bar will be open for all forum events.
BelAir Cantina ice bar returns
The BelAir Cantina restaurant at The Corners of Brookfield is bringing back its outdoor ice bar Jan. 20 with a new private heated booth available for groups, and two ice luges for specialty drink demonstrations.
Opening night for the 19-foot ice bar is from 4 to 8 p.m. Jan. 20, and a Frozen Day event for families will be held from noon to 8 p.m. Jan. 22 featuring a movie, hot chocolate and food specials.
New this year at the bar are two sculpted ice luges for pouring specialty drinks and shots. The luge has a narrow channel where liquid is poured for drink demonstrations. Also new this year, groups can reserve a VIP ice bar experience, including 90 minutes in a private heated booth for up to six guests, which includes a drink package and blankets.
The ice bar is outside BelAir Cantina in Market Square at The Corners of Brookfield, 20111 W. Blue Mound Road, Brookfield. For more information and group reservations, visit belaircantina. com/icebar.