Greek Food Festival Cooking Classes

Florida's fabulous Greek food festivals inspire me to create a series of unique cooking classes based on the delicious flavors and customs of Greece.

The annual Greek calendar begins with a hearty slice of Vasilopeta, or New Year's cake served in honor of Saint Basil. Saint Basil is known as the donor of wishes and blessings.

As a highlight of the New Years meal, the cake is blessed and cut by the head of the family. The first slice is always set aside in honor of Saint Basil.

One slice holds a hidden silver or golden coin. There is much anticipation and excitement to see which family member will find the coin in his or her piece of cake. It is believed that the lucky recipient of the coin will be especially blessed in the forthcoming year.

On the sixth day of January, Epiphany Day is celebrated. It is on this day that the Greek church commemorates Christ's baptism in the River Jordan. Water is blessed and then distributed in vials to the members of the congregation to take home and drink after fasting.

Our series of Greek cookery classes will explore the step-by-step how to's for creating a delicious collection of Greek favorites in your own home kitchens.

From mezedakia or mezedes (appetizers) like Spanakopita, Tiropita, Dolmades and Souzoukakia, to Feta Cheese and Kalamata Bread to Greek Salads with Homemade Potato Salad, to Entrees like Moussaka, Pastitsio with Ground Beef and Eggplant, Roasted Leg of Lamb,
Grecian-Style Fish, to rich honeyed bite-size treasures.

This will be an on-going series that will take us through the calendar year with periodic Greek cookery themes.

You'll learn how to recreate all those delicious foods that you love to sample at annual Greek Festivals. Before long you'll be able to host your own small Greek Food Festival Party for your family and friends in your own home.

Cooking Class Title: Greek Food Festival Cooking Class Series

Chef-Instructor: Kathi Dameron

Location: Tallahassee / Havana / North Florida / South Georgia

Cooking Class Pre-Registration Form