Here’s a clever idea. Register yourself or someone on your gift list for a cooking class in the Bellingham region and plan a mini-getaway based on learning a new favorite dish from around the world, using local ingredients. Try Afgan Cuisine, African Cooking, Chinese New Year Dinner or Tour de France. Or settle in with new takes on comfort foods including Winter Soups for the Body and Soul, or Italian Soups. Or you can get really cheesy with Appel Farms, and learn about cheese and honey.

Cooking classes around Whatcom County include a variety of topics. Pictured at Appel Farms, classes dive into the world of cheese and honey. Photo from Appel Farms.

Visit our Places to Stay page for a hotel room to complete the package.

Whatcom Community College and Community Food Co-op – Community Courses

Whatcom Community College and the Community Food Co-op in Bellingham are partners in presenting year-round Food & Wine Classes for the public. Each of these classes is held at either the Downtown Bellingham Co-op Connection Building on Forest Street, or the Cordata Co-Op Local Roots Room on Westerly Road, near WCC. The new schedule for winter 2018 has just been released.

Below are some highlights from the catalog. Click to see the current food, wine and craft beer classes which contain full registration details and even more classes. Or call 360-383-3200.

Here’s just a taste of the variety of classes that are offered through the community courses at Whatcom Community College:

• African Cooking  – Monday, January 22, 2018, 6:30-9 p.m.
• Winter Soups for the Body and Soul – Thursday, January 25, 6:30-9 p.m.
• Just Sushi – Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 6:30-9 p.m.
• Fondue Party – Thursday, February 1, 2018, 6:30-9 p.m.
• Chinese New Year Dinner – Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018, 6:30-9 p.m.
• Afghan Cuisine – Tuesday, February 20, 2018, 6:30-9 p.m.
• Calypso Kitchen: Soups of the Caribbean – Tuesday, Feb. 27, 6:30-9 p.m.
• Tour de France – Thursday, March 8, 2018, 6:30 – 9 p.m.
• Alaskan Spot Shrimp – Wednesday, March 14, 2018, 6:30-9 p.m.
• more

Chef Robert Fong and many others share decades of talent and delicious meals at cooking classes in Bellingham. Photo Courtesy the Community Food Co-op.

Ciao Thyme

Ciao Thyme is known for tasty menus that are based on local harvest and inspirations of Whatcom County. They also offer cooking demonstrations, where you can learn how to make each delicious course.

Here’s a view of their classes for early 2018, and here’s where you can see their full list.

• Italian Soups – Wednesday, January 10, 6:30 p.m.
• Couples Cooking – Tuesday, January 30, 5:30 p.m.
• Cocktail Party Class – Tuesday, February 20, 6:30 p.m.
• Dashi, Tempura, Tofu and More – Tuesday, February 27, 6:30 p.m.
• Knife Skills – Monday, March 12, 5:30 p.m.
• Masa and Mole – Wednesday, March 20, 6:30 p.m.
• more

Appel Farms

Marissa Papetti of Marie’s Bee’s works with Appel Farms to host classes about honey and cheese. Photo from Appel Farms.

Appel Farms is a family-owned and operated dairy farm and cheese making company. They are located in Ferndale, Washington, and have been farming in Whatcom County since 1967. They have recently partnered with Marie’s Bees to host a series of cooking and how-to classes.  To purchase tickets for an event, email info@mariesbees.com.

Here’s a list of what classes to expect in early 2018. Typically, each class is limited to 8 and costs $15.

• Let’s Make Paneer – Tuesday, January 2, 6 p.m.
• Let’s Make Mozzarella – Wednesday, January 10, 6 p.m.
• Let’s Cook a 30 min. Meal + Eat – Tuesday, January 16, 6 p.m.
• **Honey + Wine + Cheeses Taste and Make – Saturday, January 20, 6 p.m.
  • Learn to make Fromage Blanc, eat cheese and do a wine and honey tasting.
  • **This event is $20 per person, and must be 21+
  • Event will be held at Vartanyan Estate Winery 
• Let’s Cook with Paneer – Wednesday, January 24, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
• Let’s Cook with Quark – Tuesday, February 6, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
• Kids Cooking Class (Age 6+7), Saturday, February 10, 3 – 4:30 p.m.
• Let’s Make Chevre – Tuesday, February 20, 6-7:30 p.m.
• Let’s Make Ricotta Cheese –  Saturday, February 24, 3-4:30 p.m.

I have personally been to classes at all three of these venues and had a wonderful experience each time. Now I’m checking my schedule to see how many I can sign up for. I hope to see you there!