Summer Cooking Events at Weekend Kitchen
August 15 - September 12
$95 – $125
As summer reaches its peak, join Weekend Kitchen for a season of vibrant flavors, inspiring conversations, and unforgettable meals. From hands-on cooking classes that celebrate colorful, nourishing ingredients to an elegant farm-to-table dinner and an immersive exploration of the Mediterranean lifestyle, their late summer lineup is designed to bring people together around great food. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your culinary skills, learn the latest nutrition science, discover exceptional local ingredients, or simply enjoy an evening with friends, there’s something for everyone. Come cook, learn, laugh, and savor the very best the season has to offer.
Eat the Rainbow: A Colorful Cooking Class for Vibrant Health
Saturday, August 15 | 6:30–10:00 PM | $95
Chef Jennifer Magrey
Nutritional Talk by Nancy Kirkiles-Smith, PhD
Healthy eating has never been so colorful.
The vibrant hues of fruits and vegetables do more than brighten your plate—they signal the powerful phytonutrients that nourish your body. In this lively, hands-on cooking class, you’ll discover how eating a rainbow of colorful plant foods can support heart health, brain function, immunity, healthy aging, and overall wellness.
As you prepare a delicious menu inspired by every color of nature’s palette, Nancy Kirkiles-Smith, PhD, will share the fascinating science behind the unique health benefits found in red, orange, yellow, green, purple, and blue foods, offering practical ways to incorporate more colorful ingredients into your everyday meals.
Together you” prepare:
Roasted Beet Hummus with Homemade Pita
Chickpea Salad with Turmeric, Carrots & Garam Masala
Elote Salad
Spinach & Green Onion Basmati Rice
Thai Sesame Red Cabbage Salad
Blueberry Crumble
Whether you’re looking to improve your health, expand your cooking repertoire, or simply enjoy an evening of fresh, seasonal food, this class will leave you inspired to bring more color—and more nutrition—to your table.
End of Summer Celebration: A Farm-to-Table Pop-Up Dinner
Friday, August 28 | 6:30–10:00 PM | Cost $125
Chef Jason Welch
Only a few spot remain for to celebrate the final days of summer with an unforgettable evening showcasing the very best of Connecticut’s farms, fields, and coastal waters.
For this one-night-only pop-up dinner, Chef Jason Welch presents an elegant multi-course menu inspired by the peak of the late-summer harvest. Drawing upon years of experience in acclaimed kitchens—including Gotham Bar and Grill, Craftsteak, Barcelona Restaurant Group, and Connecticut’s beloved Sub Edge Farm—Chef Jason creates dishes that honor both exceptional technique and extraordinary local ingredients.
The evening begins with house-made sourdough focaccia served alongside local blueberry jam and whipped Liuzzi ricotta before moving through beautifully crafted courses featuring Sixpenny oysters, Connecticut lobster, slow-roasted smoked New York strip, and a dessert celebrating perfectly ripe local peaches.
More than a dinner, this is a celebration of the farmers, fishermen, cheesemakers, and artisans who make Connecticut one of New England’s most exciting culinary destinations. Gather around the table for an evening of seasonal flavors, warm hospitality, and exceptional food.
Eating for a Longer Life: Greek Mediterranean Cooking, Extra Virgin Olive Oil & the Science of Living Well
Sunday, August 30 | 2:00–6:00 PM | Cost $125
Guest Lecturer: Dr. Artemis Morris, ND
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Tasting: Carolann Patterson
Cooking Instructor: Nancy Kirkiles-Smith, PhD
What if the key to living a longer, healthier life wasn’t found in the latest diet—but in centuries-old traditions?
Join Weekend Kitchen for an inspiring afternoon exploring the foods and lifestyle that have made the Mediterranean diet one of the most researched and celebrated eating patterns in the world. Decades of scientific studies have linked this way of eating to improved heart health, reduced inflammation, better cognitive function, lower rates of diabetes, and greater longevity.
You’ll explore the traditional cuisine of Greece—where vegetables, legumes, seafood, herbs, whole grains, and extra virgin olive oil come together in simple yet incredibly flavorful meals.
Dr. Artemis Morris will share the latest research on Mediterranean nutrition and healthy aging, while Carolann Patterson guides a tasting of premium extra virgin olive oils, teaching you how to recognize quality and maximize both flavor and health benefits. In the kitchen, Nancy Kirkiles-Smith will demonstrate classic Greek recipes that bring these timeless traditions to life.
Whether you’re passionate about nutrition, curious about Mediterranean cooking, or simply love great food, you’ll leave with practical skills, delicious recipes, and a deeper understanding of why this way of eating continues to inspire scientists and chefs alike.
Paella Party!
Saturday, September 12 | 6:30–10:00 PM | Cost $95
Chef Dani Roche
Back by popular demand!
There’s no better way to celebrate late summer than gathering under the Weekend Kitchen tent for another unforgettable evening with Chef Dani Roche. Equal parts cooking class, feast, and party, this perennial favorite is one of the most fun nights of the season.
Chef Dani shares the secrets to creating authentic Spanish paella—from choosing the perfect rice and building a deeply flavorful broth to layering in the freshest seasonal ingredients. While the paella slowly cooks to perfection, you’ll snack on homemade pico de gallo with chips, enjoy great conversation, and finish the evening with Dani’s famous homemade flan.
Bring a group of friends, your appetite, and your favorite “to-go” container—there are always plenty of leftovers. And, as Dani likes to remind everyone…”Wear your stretchy pants!”
