Continuing Education

A Taste of Westchester

Join us at several of Westchester’s most exciting restaurants for a culinary adventure that will tantalize your taste buds. Each chef will offer a private cooking demonstration, followed by a tasting of the prepared items. Fees include non-alcoholic beverages. New menu items are explored each semester. Menu substitutions may occur when necessary. Demonstrations will begin at the times designated. Sampling fees are payable in CASH only directly to the chef at the time of the class. Call restaurants or visit their linked websites for directions. No refunds are given for these classes. A one-time per semester student fee of $3.25 will be added to the final tuition calculation.

CE-REST 2000 is the class number for all Taste of Westchester classes.

July

NEW! Butterfield 8 American Gastro Pub
147 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains
914-358-4881, www.Butterfield8whiteplains.com
One of several restaurants owned and operated by the dynamic duo of Ralph Batistta and John Gazzola, this spot is where business professional meets social scene in this contemporary American gastro pub. Surrounded by warm wood-paneled walls and leather booths, this bi-level restaurant offers a unique dining experience. Chef Matt Safarowic (formerly from The Cookery) will teach us the techniques used in his winning dishes. Our lesson begins with creole shrimp and grits (rock shrimp, coarse ground grits, and smoked tasso). The makings of French quarter jambalaya (jumbo shrimp, roasted chicken, andouille sausage, creole rice, and beans) is next on the menu. The chef will share his secrets for a scrumptious PB&J bread pudding: brioche, chunky peanut butter, and strawberry jelly.
1 Mon., July 29, 5:30-7:30 pm, $15 (+ $20 sampling fee, payable to instructor). #6009

August

The Cupcake Kitchen and Luncheonette
100 Main St., Irvington
914-231-6261, Follow them on Facebook.
HANDS ON: Let them eat cupcakes! This adorable breakfast and lunch spot is also known for the prettiest and most delicious cupcakes in town along with custom fondant cakes for every occasion. Located on historic Main Street in Irvington, owner Jennifer O’Connell will give a hands-on instructional demonstration on decorating patriotic cupcakes in a summertime theme. This will be an interactive class using decorating tips from a pro and the outcome will astonish you. You will use pastry bags outfitted with all the tools needed to create six fabulously decorated cupcakes to bring home in a gift box. You can translate the techniques to upcoming holiday or family functions. The luncheonette only uses fresh ingredients and will tell you how to make their fabulous butter cream icing. You will get to sample a cupcake along with the shop’s hot or iced coffee and tea. Come out and play with us!
1 Thurs., Aug. 1, 4:30-6:30 pm, $15 (+ $21 sampling fee, payable to instructor). #6010

AJ’s Burgers
542 North Ave., New Rochelle
914-235-3009, www.AJsburgers.com, Follow them on Facebook.
Chef Alan, aka AJ, is a graduate of our college and the former owner of the Original Wedge Inn. The sliders are still cooked on a flat grill with grilled onions like the original White Manna from the 1964 World’s Fair. Burgers are not the only focus at AJ's, as they are known for the best thin crust pizza in Westchester. One of their special dishes just happens to be Mariano Rivera’s favorite, lobster and shrimp positano. Our demonstration will be a lesson on delicious hot tomato and ricotta cheese bread and spinach salad topped with hot bacon dressing, followed by shrimp francesse with grilled portobello mushrooms and red roasted peppers. He will create a seasonal dessert of strawberry shortcake. Come join us for a terrific demonstration and a delicious meal as AJ's always promises to leave you satisfied but wanting more!
1 Tues., Aug. 6, 5:30-7:30 pm, $15 (+ $21 sampling fee, payable to instructor). #6011

Roasted Peppers
320 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck
914-341-1140, www.roastedpeppersny.com
This American bistro with strong Latin influences is the collaboration of Mexican born brothers Juan and Roberto Lepe. They have been chefs in Westchester for over twenty years. The culinary experiences from their past have combined with their expertise and creativity to flourish into Roasted Peppers, their first restaurant venture. Chef Juan along with Chef Darrell Belcher, a 1987 CIA graduate, will show us their techniques. We will start with their signature dish, a stuffed roasted picadillo pepper, followed by a lesson on chipotle-apricot glazed pork chops, served with summer squash and couscous with cranberries. We will end with a jalapeño brownie served with coconut ice cream for a very different dessert.
1 Mon., Aug. 13, 5:30-7:30 pm, $15 (+ $25 sampling fee, payable to instructor). #6012

Don Coqui
115 Cedar St., New Rochelle
914-637-3737, www.doncoqui.com
HANDS ON: Don Coqui is the latest and most exciting authentic Puerto Rican dining experience. The vast first floor is a gourmand’s dream and is the perfect place for our class. This restaurant features an interactive professional demonstration kitchen with all the latest cooking gadgets. Chef Jack D’Angelo will prepare our meal for the evening: we’ll start with mixed green salad with queso blanco sofrito vinaigrette, then a lesson on seafood paella with clams, mussels, shrimp, and chorizo. Sangria will be the beverage lesson for the evening, made with fresh fruit. To end our evening on a sweet note, we will make coconut flan with a deep caramel glaze and shaved toasted coconut.
1 Tues., Aug. 20, 6:00-8:00 pm, $15 (+ $25 sampling fee, payable to instructor). #6013

Attention Restaurant Owners and Chefs
Interested in hosting a class at your restaurant or offering a cooking class on campus? Please call Sarah Fowler-Rogers at 914-606-6985 to discuss your ideas.