Take a class, learn something new.
// FOOD & DRINK
First Sip Fridays
Kick your weekend off right with this educational happy hour. Depending on the week, the hour-long class will focus on wine varietals, regions or pairings. And as if the free booze weren’t enough, you’ll get to enjoy it in Pinot’s cozy downstairs cellar. Second, Third and Fourth Fridays, 7pm. $19. Pinot Boutique, 227 Market St. 215.627.9463. pinotboutique.com
Making Fresh Handmade Pasta: Easy as 1, 2, 3
Learn to mix, knead, roll and cut your own fettucine, pappardelle and farfalle then combine these creations to prepare delicious sauces such as fresh basil pesto, marinara Napoletana and ragu ala Bolognese. Hungry just reading that, aren’t ya? Various dates. $85. La Cucina, Reading Terminal, 51 N. 12th St. lacucinaatthemarket.com
Comfy, Cozy Comfort Food
Registered dietitian and chef/owner of Healthy Bites and The Next Food Network Star finalist Katie Cavuto Boyle will show you how to make the hearty comfort food you always crave in the winter actually healthy. In fact, she’ll be preparing a slew of healthy and delicious comfort dishes with seasonal, local ingredients. Feb. 28, 7pm. $145. COOK, 253 S. 20th St. 215.735.1222. audreyclairecook.com
Sushi Making
After a shopping expedition with Chef Joe Poon, students will head into the kitchen and learn how to wrap a sushi roll, use a sushi knife, cook Japanese rice and prepare Japanese hot sauces. In addition to receiving a full, exquisite lunch or dinner, you’ll also get to take home two big boxes of sushi. Various dates. $120. Joseph Poon Kitchen, 1010 Cherry St. josephpoon.com
Southern Cooking
Face it—KFC is never going to cure a hankering for Southern fried chicken. This workshop will show you how to make it yourself along with catfish and all those other artery-clogging, down-home southern side dishes. This is a hands-on workshop, so make sure to bring all the necessary utensils like measuring cups and knives. Feb. 9, 7pm. $65. The Restaurant School at Chestnut Hill College, 4207 Walnut St. walnuthillcollege.edu
Sauced Education: Spring Spirits & Cocktails
Once the snow melts, replace your hot cocoa with the perfect fruity libation. Food and wine guru Keith Wallace will introduce you to an array of lively, fresh and savory drinks for the season. March 23, 7:30pm. $16.25. Wine School of Philadelphia, 127 S. 22nd St. vinology.com
Date Night: An Enchanted Evening for Two
You and your significant other work together to prepare a beautiful, sumptuous feast, and then sit down and dig in. Learn recipes and cooking tips from esteemed chefs. Feb. 3, 6pm. $175. La Cucina, Reading Terminal Market, 51 N. 12th St. lacucinaatthemarket.com
// ARTS & CULTURE
Improv 101
Think improvisation is just for actors and aspiring comedians? Think again. The skills you learn in an improv class can be translated to all aspects of your life. Teaching the class is Philly Improv Theater founder Greg Maughan, who has been acting and directing improv and sketch comedy since 1999. Bonus: Students get free passes to shows at PHIT. Sundays, Feb. 5-March 25, 1pm. $199-$249. The Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom St. 267.233.1556. phillyimprovtheater.com
Instructional Drum Circle
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1. Anonymous said... on Jan 25, 2012 at 09:28AM
“excellent article, well done.”
2. Anonymous said... on Jan 26, 2012 at 08:25AM
“Those Sauced Education Classes at Philly Wine School are actually $65, not $16.”
3. Rick Saxby said... on Jan 26, 2012 at 11:59AM
“The Philly Urban Defense looks like a good company. I went on their website and they have some good testimonials. Their Tai-Fit program looks like the class I would take out of all the ones they offer. I know some people think stuff like this is stupid but I always liked classes like these, they remind of tai-bo. (I like tai bo, I don't care what anyone says, its fun).
Rick Saxby,
Publisher, FightingPhilosophy.com”