These hands-on participation classes are taught by chefs Joel Olson and John Bauhs. Our highly-qualified chefs are on hand to make each cooking class a memorable experience for their students. Each class is uniquely designed to familiarize students with diverse foods, while they experience what it feels like to create and taste scrumptious recipes. Building self-confidence in the kitchen, fostering creativity and developing cooking skills are just a few of the ingredients in the McLean Cooks Program.
Appetizers Italiano
Begin a tour of Italy with these fantastic tasty bites. Fried, Stuffed Olives • Marinated Mozzarella • Gorgonzola Tomatoes • Individual Pizzas • Hot Beef Salad • Little Meatballs • Marinara Mussels • Venetian Toasts with Crab Crostini • Toast with Savory Spread • Sweet Cheese Puddings.
Instructor: Chef John Bauhs
1 3-hr. lesson
$88/$65 McLean district residents
1301.280 M, 9/15 7-10 p.m.
Tuscan Dinner Favorites
Come out to our villa to taste these incredible foods of the countryside. Tuscan Vegetable Stew • Tossed Green Salad with Red-Wine Vinaigrette • Italian Pork Ribs • Pasta e Fagioli Soup • Garlic Greens • Pork Roast with Herbs • Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli • Italian Beans • Rustic Vanilla Pudding • Baked Peach Crumble.
Instructor: Chef John Bauhs
1 3-hr. lesson
$88/$65 McLean district residents
1302.280 M, 9/22 7-10 p.m.
Ristorante Specialties
You will think you are in Rome while cooking these recipes. Bruschetta with Tomatoes • ItalianWedding Soup • Roasted Red Bell Peppers • Classic Parmesan Risotto • Marinated Vegetable Salad • Chicken Rigatoni • Pasta with Peas and Prosciutto • Fettuccine Alfredo • Candied Ginger Biscotti • Lemon Torte with Orange Zest.
Instructor: Chef John Bauhs
1 3-hr. lesson
$88/$65 McLean district residents
1303.280 M, 9/29 7-10 p.m.
Thai Series
Sign up for one or all three of the classes listed below.
Regional Thai Favorites
Taste a bit of Thailand in this popular class. Garlic Shrimp • Satay with Peanut Sauce • Fresh Spring Rolls • Hot and Sour Soup • Cucumber Peanut Salad • Beef with Sweet Basil Sauce • Thai Fried Rice • Fish with Red Curry Sauce • Thai Fried Banana • Mango Sorbet.
Instructor: Chef John Bauhs
1 3-hr. lesson
$88/$65 McLean district residents
1304.280 Tu, 9/16 7-10 p.m.
Thai Sensations
Expand your Thai favorite’s list with these awesome dishes. Coconut Seafood Soup • Steamed Broccoli with Oyster Sauce • Garlic and Pepper Pork • Stir-fried Beans with Chili Sauce • Fragrant Jasmine Rice • Fish Cakes with Lime Sauce • Stir-fried Noodles • Thai Iced Tea • Thai Macaroon Cakes • Sweet Rice Pudding with Toasted Sesame Seeds.
Instructor: Chef John Bauhs
1 3-hr. lesson
$88/$65 McLean district residents
1305.280 Tu, 9/23 7-10 p.m.
Thai Flavors
Enjoy the flavors of Asia in this informative and fun class. Tasty LettuceWraps • Green Mango Salad • Spicy Eggplant • Chicken with Ginger-Garlic Oil • Green Curry with Pork • Steamed Sticky Rice • Chili-Lime Fish • Stir-Fried Asparagus with Mushrooms • Coconut Egg Custard • Grilled Pineapple.
Instructor: Chef John Bauhs
1 3-hr. lesson
$88/$65 McLean district residents
1306.280 Tu, 9/30 7-10 p.m.
Happy Chicken
Chicken dishes do not need to be usual or boring. Chicken and Grapes Salad • Mom’s Chicken Noodle Soup • Chicken Picatta • Chicken Angelo • Chicken and Mushroom Ravioli • Southern-Style Fried Chicken • Chicken Potpie • Chicken Parmesan • Balsamic Chicken with Feta and Spinach • Chicken Marsala.
Instructor: Chef John Bauhs
1 3-hr. lesson
$88/$65 McLean district residents
1307.280 M, 10/6 7-10 p.m.
Fresh and Fruity
By including fruit in to your cooking, you can really expand your culinary offerings and make dinnertime more interesting. Lemon- Caper Chicken • Pork with Peach Salsa • Strawberry Orange Soup • Mixed Salad with Pears and Raisins • Gingered Melon • Pineapple Coleslaw • Chili-Lime Potato Wedges • Turkey Cutlets with Cranberry Chutney • Mashed Maple Apples • Sweet Banana Peanut Butter Cookies.
Instructor: Chef John Bauhs
1 3-hr. lesson
$88/$65 McLean district residents
1308.280 Tu, 10/7 7-10 p.m.
Do-Ahead Holiday Entertaining
This popular three-week series offers a comprehensive portfolio of recipes to take you through the holidays and beyond. Plating and presenting, do-ahead options and holding techniques will be stressed for cocktail parties, buffet and sit-down dinners.
Instructor: Chef Joel Olson
Class One: Hot and Cold Appetizers with Soups and Composed Salads • Canapés • Hors D’oeuvres • Dips and Bread for Breadbaskets and Nibbling.
Class Two: Platters and plated entrees including: Chicken Roulade with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce • Beef Platter with Mushroom Fricassee • Portabella Mushroom, Eggplant and Goat Cheese Napoleons • Pan-Roasted Meat • Poached Fish with Calypso Sauce, and more. Side dishes include: rice • potato • pasta • and vegetable options.
Class Three: Classic desserts including: Baked Alaska • Tart Tatin • Bananas Foster • White and Dark Chocolate Mousse. Plus dessert sauces including: Crème Anglaise • Raspberry Sauce • Caramel Sauce • Butterscotch Sauce.
3 3-hr. lessons
$263/$195 McLean district residents
1251.280 W, 10/22-11/5 10 a.m. -1 p.m.
1252.280 W, 10/22-11/5 7-10 p.m.
Knife Skills Workshop
Take this popular and informative class to learn and practice the techniques that ease the chores of cooking. Techniques include: boning a chicken • dicing onions, carrots and other vegetables • pasting garlic • slicing fruit. Knife selection, sharpening and care will also be covered. Bring your own knives or use ours.
Instructor: Chef Joel Olson
1 3-hr. lesson
$88/$65 McLean district residents
1253.280 M, 10/27 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
1254.280 M, 10/27 7-10 p.m.
Fall Grilling
Time to fire up the grill again and enjoy this popular class: Grilled Bratwurst and Sweet and Sour Apple Platter • Grilled Turkey Sandwich with Caramelized Onions andWisconsin Gouda • AppleWood-Smoked Scallops with Red Pepper Aioli and Sautéed Sweet Potato Cubes • Grilled Portobello Mushroom, Goat Cheese and Basil with Fresh Tomato Concasse • Grilled Swordfish with Chipotle- Lime Sauce • Mashed Potatoes • Grilled Bananas with Butterscotch Sauce.
Instructor: Chef Joel Olson
1 3-hr. lesson
$91/$68 McLean district residents
1255.280 Tu, 10/28 7-10 p.m.
Sushi at Home
It’s not just raw fish! Topics include fish choice, rice preparation, garnishing and presentation while preparing: Miso Soup with Shrimp and Peas • Spicy Tuna Roll • California Rolls • Salmon and Cucumber Roll • Shiitake Mushroom and Asparagus Roll, and more!
Instructor: Chef Joel Olson
1 3-hr. lesson
$95/$70 McLean district residents
1256.280 Th, 10/30 7-10 p.m.
Thanksgiving Dinner
Take the fear out of hosting a Thanksgiving celebration with do-ahead tips. Prepare: Maple-Glazed Roast Turkey Breast with Classic Gravy • Sourdough Stuffing • Heavenly Mashed Potatoes • Glazed Sweet Potatoes • Creamed Onions with Peas • Cranberry Sauce • Cream Biscuits • Sweet Potato Tart with Cinnamon Crème Chantilly.
Instructor: Chef Joel Olson
1 3-hr. lesson
$88/$65 McLean district residents
1257.280 Su, 11/2 2:30-5:30 p.m.
Quick and Easy Fall Suppers
Freshen up your culinary portfolio with these easy to prepare menus: Cornish Game Hens with Mushrooms and Potatoes • Pork Medallions with Fresh Tomato Sauce and Parmesan Polenta • Red Snapper with Pepper-Vodka Sauce and Pecan Fig Fettuccini • Roasted Eggplant with Tomatoes, Zucchini and Mozzarella • Turkey Filets with Balsamic Garlic Sauce and Parsley Potatoes • Pumpkin Mousse • Sautéed Apples with Calvados.
Instructor: Chef Joel Olson
1 3-hr. lesson
$85/$63 McLean district residents
1258.280 M, 11/3 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
1259.280 M, 11/3 7-10 p.m.
Holiday Side Dishes
Add a new dish or two to enjoy with your favorites at the holiday table. Roasted Vegetables with Olives and Mozzarella • Provencal Peppers, Zucchini and Chickpeas • Grilled Squash Soup with Ruby Port and Cranberry Sauce • GrilledWalnut Bruschetta • Raspberry- Glazed Carrots • Cheese and Potato Pie • Spinach with Spiced Lentils • Saffron and Toasted Almond Rice • Braised Fennel and Tomatoes • Penne with GorgonzolaWalnut Sauce • Roast Potatoes with Parmesan Crust.
Instructor: Chef Joel Olson
1 3-hr. lesson
$78/$58 McLean district residents
1260.280 Tu, 11/4 10 a.m. -1 p.m.
1261.280 Tu, 11/4 7-10 p.m.
Classic French Dishes
Reminders of Paris and French memories abound in this two-class series of French classics. Instructor: Chef John Bauhs
Class one: Spiced Tapenade of Olives on Toast • Mesclun Salad with Dijon-Shallot Vinaigrette • Arugula and Radicchio with Fresh Fruit • Crispy Browned Chicken with Herbs • French Green Beans • Steak Au Poivre • Chicken in Tarragon Cream Sauce • Baked Beans with Bacon and Herbs • Chocolate Truffles • French Apple Tart.
Class two: Cheese Soufflé • Eggs with Crab Mousse • Quiche Lorraine • Endive, Walnuts and Roquefort Salad • Onion Soup “Au Gratin” • Pork Filet with Onions • Coquille St. Jacques • Salmon and Spinach Delight • Crème Caramel • Spiced Pears.
2 3-hr. lessons $169/$125 McLean district residents
1309.280 W, 11/12-11/19 7-10 p.m.
Carryout Favorites
Learn about take-out favorites that you can recreate at home! Hot and Sour Soup • Egg Rolls • Shrimp Toast • Sweet and Sour Pork • Orange Crispy Beef • Crispy Szechwan Chicken • Brown Fried Rice • Seasonal Chinese Vegetables with Garlic Sauce • BBQ Spare Ribs • Ginger Ice Cream with Almond Cookies.
Instructor: Chef John Bauhs
1 3-hr. lesson
$88/$65 McLean district residents
1310.280 M, 11/17 7-10 p.m.
Classic Desserts from the Heart
These sweets will end your dinners on a memorable note. Chocolate Éclairs • Lemon Tart • Chocolate Layer Cake • Apple Tarte Tatin • Chocolate Cheesecake • Peach Cake • Sacher Torte • Ginger Cookies • Lemon Vanilla Crepes • Ricotta Sponge Cake.
Instructor: Chef John Bauhs
1 3-hr. lesson
$79/$57 McLean district residents
1311.280 Tu, 11/18 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
1312.280 Tu, 11/18 7-10 p.m.
Fish and Seafood
Join Chef Joel Olson for another evening full of incredible flavors and fun fish recipes. Crispy Salmon with Chervil and Tarragon Sauce • Sautéed Thai Fish Cakes with Dipping Sauce • Brazilian Fish Stew with Coconut Milk and Cashews • Blackened Catfish Filets with Cajun Aioli • Mediterranean- Style Shrimp with Tomato Pilaf • Scallops, Spinach and Saffron Risotto • Crispy Szechwan Fish • Filet of Sole in Cream, Tomato andWhiteWine Sauce • Mashed Potatoes.
Instructor: Chef Joel Olson
1 3-hr. lesson
$97/$72 McLean district residents
1262.280 M, 12/8 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
1263.280 M, 12/8 7-10 p.m.
Risotto
Learn the method for making restaurant-quality risotto at home. Tips on preparing risotto ahead of time plus what to do with leftover risotto.Wild Mushroom Risotto • Risotto with Scallops and Shrimp • Risotto with Sausage and Peppers • Risotto with Spinach, Pine Nuts and Feta • Risotto Patties with Meatballs and Fresh Tomato Sauce • Pear and Brie Risotto.
Instructor: Chef Joel Olson
1 3-hr. lesson
$81/$60 McLean district residents
1264.280 W, 12/10 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
1265.280 W, 12/10 7-10 p.m.
Scones
Learn the basics of scone making and baking by creating a variety of these treats. Chocolate Scones • Apricot Scones •Welsh Cheese and Herb Scones • Cranberry and Almond Scones •Whole-Wheat Buttermilk Scones • Potato and Cheddar Scones, plus more.
Instructor: Joel Olson
1 3-hr. lesson
$74/$55 McLean district residents
1266.280 Th, 12/11 11 a.m.-2 p.m.