Become a Cville Food Star: a guide to local culinary resources

I’ve been glued to the TV on Sunday nights watching The Next Food Network Star. I have also dedicated Sunday evenings as my time for culinary adventures. Last night, I tried an Italian-style Turkey Meatloaf with brown sugar glazed carrots and corn on the cob. Not bad! 

I’d like to be able to further develop my “culinary point of view” and build a foundation for good food. So, in celebration of Aaron McCargo Jr.’s win last night, I have listed some local resources to help you become your own Food Star at home in Cville.

For a small college town, Cville seems to be quite a culinary mecca in both restaurants and resources. I’ve even heard that Cville boasts the most restaurants per capita than any other city. But when you want to dine in, you don’t have to sacrifice taste. The right classes and chef’s tools, along with the finest ingredients, can help you to become a star chef right in your own kitchen. 

Cooking Classes.  There are several local establishments offering cooking classes that both cover the basics and introduce you to new techniques and recipes. Whether you need a little guidance or a lot of instruction, here is a list of options to broaden your cooking skill set.

• Charlottesville Wine & Culinary- Among some select classes held at Mona Lisa Pasta (Preston Plaza), Chef Terre Sisson also hosts Epicurean Immersion Weekends. I am particularly intrigued by the dinner party cooking lessons. What a great gift idea and reason to get your friends together in the kitchen!
• The Charlottesville Cooking School - This institute, located in the Meadowbrook Shopping Center off of Emmet Street, offers a wide selection of classes from Thai Cooking to Knife Skills. The facilities are also available for private entertaining, and their kids summer camp is going on this week! This fall, they will be offering classes for children’s birthday parties. It’s never too early to start cooking! I must add that I’ve had the pleasure of sampling Chef Ashley Clarke’s creations, and if their classes can help me cook like she can, I’m in!
• The Seasonal Cook - Not only does the Seasonal Cook sell anything you’d need in your kitchen from Caldrea cleaning supplies to Le Creuset, it also hosts private and group cooking classes right there in the store. It’s massive granite island serves as the classroom for courses such as Elegant Ladies Luncheon and Summer Seafood Italian Style. A unique offering is the Behind the Scenes series which introduces you to the inner workings of the Main Street Market including Feast and the Organic Butcher. I’d personally like to check out the Eat Fresh, Eat Local series!
• Dinner at Home- Chef Ashley Hightower leads a unique culinary experience from your kitchen. The two hour cooking class parties allow you to learn a few things and enjoy them afterwards at your own table. Each guest leaves with the skills and know-how to recreate her amazing recipes.

Tools & Gadgets. Not only do I need instruction, but I also want to make it look effortless like the hosts on Food Network do. I think the secret is timing…and tools. While practice will help you nail down the timing issue, there are a few local resources for finding all the right tools.

• I mentioned the Seasonal Cook above, but I’d like to point out that this is indeed a fabulous store for kitchen tools. It is also just a lot of fun to peruse, with tons of eye candy for the gourmet-minded shopper. I just picked up some wine glass holders that stick into the ground for 20% off at their summer sale.
• The Happy Cook - Located in Barracks Shopping Center, The Happy Cook has always impressed me with its customer service and employee knowledge. In addition to some very cool and sleek espresso machines, The Happy Cook carries the finest cooking supplies and some lovely dining accessories. The store also maintains a bridal registry, perfect for giving a unique gift that didn’t come from Linens N Things. Speaking of big box…
• Bed Bath & Beyond - Also located in Barracks, this is a sure bet for your basic needs. However, I have never been particularly fond of their dining products. Their table linens are pretty ugly along with things like plates, glasses, etc. Still, you can find decently priced kitchen electronics and save even more with the 20% coupons they shower across town.
• You also have Belk, Sears, and the budget-friendly TJMaxx. While these certainly don’t convey a gourmet expertise, they can come in handy. Sears, located in the Fashion Square Mall, is a sure thing for electronics and appliances. TJMaxx is a good stop for budget-minded chefs. There are a couple of aisles in the back loaded with pots, pans, utensils, and occasionally, some cute kitchen wares. I once scored an All-Clad saute pan for a steal at something less than $30.

Setting the Scene. While not part of The Next Food Network Star, I believe that a gorgeous table setting can elevate even the most basic dish. Why eat mac n’ cheese from the pot? Go ahead and dress up your table with beautiful dinnerware from these fun shops.

• Verity Blue- Giada DiLaurentis would be delighted to serve her Italian dishes on tables decorated with Italian wares from this gorgeous store. You can see some photos of the store here, but you should check it out in person. Just off the downtown mall on South Street, this store features a beautiful selection of pottery, linens, and home decor.
• La Bastide- If you prefer a formal table, check out the gifts and accessories at La Bastide, located on Ivy Road just north of the 250 bypass. They carry some designer lines such as Simon Pearce and Sferra. Another great Bridal Registry option!
• Creme de la Creme- For a truly French-inspired table setting, Creme de la Creme has everything you need. Another Barracks stop, this store carries the quintessential colorful French table linens as well as beautiful pottery and accouterments for your table and home.
• Caspari - If you’ve been to the downtown mall, you’ll undoubtedly have noticed this gorgeous store with the most eye-catching tablescapes. This is not your everyday table, but rather products you might reserve for very special occasions. Some items are out of my budget, but other products like the stylish place card holders and chic candlesticks would really dress up the dining experience. This is also a great stop for brightly colored paper goods for outdoor entertaining.  
• Artifacts - While they don’t yet have a website, I wanted to include Artifacts on this list of dinnerware resources. Also on the downtown mall, it is an excellent resource for unique table accessories. Much of the selection is for other parts of your home, but they always carry a variety of ceramics and glassware. The best part - the prices are right!

Beyond the basics. If you really want to reach Food Stardom, here are a few ideas on how to go above and beyond to becoming a gourmet.

• Culinary getaways - The Inn at Meander Plantation offers a cooking school that can take place over the course of a day or included in your stay at the inn. Located in Locust Dale, this looks like a lovely backdrop for expanding your cooking skills. The Boar’s Head Inn also offers private cooking classes for a group of at least six. Pair this with an overnight stay and spa treatment, and you have one heck of a weekend.
• Personalized nutrition consulting - Kate Bruno of On Track! Nutrition & Fitness Consulting is a full time nutritionist and personal trainer. Pre / Post-partum and mid-life nutrition are areas of focus for Kate, but she can create nutritional wellness plans for anyone. Meal planning, grocery shopping and food preparation are among her services.
• Hire a shopper - Want to focus more time on your recipes and less time in line at the supermarket? Hire it out! Cville Concierge can do your grocery shopping for you! Take it a step further, and hire them to organize your cupboards. Or, if you simply just dislike the waiting, Harris Teeter in Hollymead has a decent online store and great pick up service.

I hope these help you to develop and expand your culinary point-of-view. I know that there is more out there to help me become my own Food Star, so please chime in with any additional resources I may have missed. Bon appetit!