A warm and wonderful host, Kate is not only an expert cook and gardener but also a trained cocktail bartender that often experiments with her own syrups, infusions, and tonics. Kate learned to cook Italian-American cuisine from her mother and Cuban food from her father. She loves to cook because it is a way for her to be creative and feed the people she loves. Your experience takes place in Kate's home, a 5-min drive from downtown Durham. She is delighted to share her love for food, culinary traditions, and the fresh produce she grows in her garden with guests. ‘ 3-hour private cooking class in a Durham home ‘ Pick herbs and produce from your host's garden for your Italian-American meal ‘ Learn to make a cocktail from your host, a trained bartender ‘ Sit down to enjoy a home-cooked lunch or dinner with your host ‘ No cooking experience necessary: vegetarian options available ‘ Private tour ensures a personalized experience and the undivided attention of your host

• Explore Capitol Hill, Denver’s most haunted neighborhood
• See the city at a relaxed pace on a walking tour
• Your professional guide tells you spooky stories of Denver’s history
• Get excellent photo opportunities of famous haunted mansions

What To Expect

Meet Kate at her home that has an abundant vegetable garden, chicken coop and a beehive where she gathers fresh honey. As you explore her garden (weather permitting), you may pick aromatic mint for your cocktail, fresh eggs for your pasta, and/or seasonal vegetables for the meal you will help prepare.

Begin your culinary adventure by learning to make a refreshing cocktail or mocktail such as a Cuban mojito. Next join Kate in her open kitchen to learn to cook seasonal Italian-American dishes from recipes passed down through generations in her mother's family. During your Durham cooking class, you will prepare three dishes from scratch. You might learn to make a root vegetable salad in the winter or a tomato, lettuce and cucumber salad with a herb dressing in the summer. Knead dough and pass it through a pasta maker as you make fresh pasta such as eggplant and ricotta ravioli in a brown butter sage sauce or linguine in a marinara sauce accompanied by her grandmother's meatball recipe!

Enjoy the meal you helped prepare with Kate over delightful conversation. Your meal concludes with a dessert such as blueberry tart or sorbet.