WATCH HILL, RI - The kitchen is a familiar place this time of year. At The Center for Wine and Culinary Arts at the Ocean House, you might just find some new traditions.
"Not only are these recipes very forgiving but these recipes are very approachable," said Chef Paul McComiskey, Director of Culinary Education at the center, which opened at the famed resort in the summer of 2015.
The center offers about two "In the Kitchen" classes for the public each month. Fittingly, the upcoming class revolves around tasty solutions for Thanksgiving leftovers! Think: breakfast.
"We’re going to start-off by making mashed potato pancakes," said McComiskey. "You can be as hands-on as you want to be in the class or you’re free to sit-back and take notes on the class if you’d like to do that, as well."
These classes are just one way the public can experience this historic site.
"At Ocean House, we love the holidays," says Candice Traskos, Group Director of Communications. "We have programming called the 12 days of Christmas which lead up to Christmas Eve."
Folks can build gingerbread houses and learn to prepare delicious eggnog.
The demonstration and test kitchen - housed in a wine cellar - has added a new dimension to the Ocean House. While the appliances are state-of-the-art, the atmosphere is rustic.
"The beams you see in here - all the wood you see in here - came from a tobacco drying barn that was built in the 1700s," said McComiskey, also the resort's Food Forager, sourcing local ingredients for chefs. "It’s amazing to be able to have this synergy. I tell people I’m like Match.com for chefs and farmers. It’s a lot of fun."
In addition to mashed potato pancakes, participants learn how to make hollandaise sauce and the perfect poached egg.
"So, here is our mashed potato Eggs Benedict," says McComiskey, as he serves the guests a feast, made from farm-to-table ingredients. "It just brightens your mood. It makes you a happier person." It's an outing that taps into the spirit of the season - food brings us together.
Click here for more information about In the Kitchen Cooking Classes and holiday programming at Ocean House.
