I tried a 'couples' class outdoors teaching barbecue techniques. Participants could bring a spouse, son, mother, boyfriend, and the class was offered at a discounted rate. Theme classes are also a big draw at Viking, says DePete, and some of these classes serve as fund-raisers for local charities. Participants came dressed for Halloween, and the best-costume winner received a gift certificate for four to a progressive dinner featuring courses from several restaurants. These sessions have included Todd English of Figs restaurant in Boston, and Horst Pfifer of Bella Luna in New Orleans.
Chefs are like movie stars now, with restaurants all over the country.
And it's entertainment. Instead of going to a play or a movie, more people are going to cooking classes, where dinner is the show. And some of the chefs actually feed everyone, from salad to dessert. Then students are taught how to use a cutting board, hold a knife, read a recipe, and plan a menu. Besides the basics, Viking also sponsors classes on such topics as making soups, baking bread, and cooking with herbs.