Landrum’s Stone Soup offers cooking classes

LANDRUM – Stone Soup, located at 1522 E. Rutherford St., is once again offering cooking classes to the public.

When owner Suzanne Strickland opened the restaurant in 2004, the restaurant offered cooking classes. She says that a recent, three-week renovation to the restaurant’s kitchen has allowed her to do these classes again.

“I like teaching people different techniques with themes,” Strickland explained. “These foods aren’t typical foods you would do at home. It’s a great way to make friends and have fun.”

Strickland said she taught a class in January featuring braised beef short ribs, Parmesan risotto and a French soufflé. The class had 12 students, the maximum number she can accept in her classes. Strickland said she met eight out of the 12 students at the dog park on her property next door.

“Braised means a slow, long process of cooking beef and people feel intimidated when it comes to Parmesan risotto, but it takes time and attention in addition to the right kind of rice,” Strickland said. “With the soufflé, I taught them how to use the right dish with bread crumbs so the egg has something to hold on to with spinach and Gruyere, a type of cheese.”

The admission fee for the class is $35, which includes recipes, instructions and wine. The next class on Feb. 12, from 3-6 p.m., will focus on three types of fondue.

“We’ll make the classic fondue, one with oil and meat and a chocolate fondue,” Strickland explained. “The next class will focus on sauces, which can take foods from being OK to exceptional. You just have to know the basic building blocks.”

Strickland said she is open to suggestions as she said she is researching how to make Thai curry upon request. The classes are either hands-on or can be observed from afar.

“It’s a fun way to spend your Sunday afternoon,” Strickland said. “I’m always curious to learn more and there’s a reason to cooking foods a certain way.”