Evansville-area businesses offering cooking classes to help you stay warm in the winter

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Unless you’re into ice fishing, winter is a great time to enjoy indoor activities – like cooking classes.

Then you can take what you learned home to your own warm kitchen. Whether your interests lie in plant-based eating, visually stunning charcuterie, exotic worldly foods or old-fashioned comfort fare, here are six places to gain culinary knowledge. Follow the links for more information and to sign up for classes.

Agape Graze

Agape Graze Charcuterie offers graze boxes or platters with meat, cheese, veggies, dips and more for pick-up or delivery. Owner Jessica Joy Machen will also come to you and arrange a display of colorful edibles right in your home or event venue. And, she offers charcuterie classes.

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Coming up are two adult Valentine’s Day workshops, on Thursday, Feb. 10 at The Elm in Henderson and on Monday, Feb. 14 at the Jennings Street Public House in Newburgh.

The classes are $75 per couple and include tutorials and instruction by Machen, six chocolate-covered strawberries, a custom-engraved wood charcuterie board and charcuterie for two.

Machen has put together a series of classes for teens as well. On Saturday, Feb. 12, the first of the High School Sweethearts charcuterie workshop series for students grades 9-12 will take place at Paparazzi Glamour and Gowns on Lincoln Avenue from 6-7 p.m.

The classes are $30 per person and include a charcuterie board for two, chocolate covered strawberries, sparkling juice, a professional photo and a store credit for prom purchases at Paparazzi.

For more information, call Agape Graze at 812-518-0008.

Capers Emporium 

Capers in New Harmony, Indiana has a little bit of everything food-related. Go in to find gadgets, cookware, linens, gourmet food mixes, jarred preserves and pickles, abundant samples, a bakery, food from the Main Café down the street, and weekend cooking classes.

Owner Mary Beth Guard is a lover of air fryers and conducts regular classes on their use. You’ll find classes on other subjects as well, from baking and pastry to Thai dishes. Private groups of five or more are always welcome and custom class menus may be arranged.

Upcoming are classes in soft pretzel making, fondue, Superbowl appetizers, and Valentine's day cookie making among many others. All classes are $40. 

Possibly coolest of all, Capers has an in-house fused glass studio where students can create their own colorful glass coaster, dish, trivets or other objects such as jewelry or a nightlight. Call to arrange a class solo or with your group. They are $55 per person.

Capers Emporium is at 602 Main St. in New Harmony, Indiana; 812-682-6112.

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Eat Plants Be Well –Food for Life

Susannah Dickman’s classes educate on how a diet of whole grains, beans, vegetables and fruits can help you reach your health and wellness goals.

Her next Kickstart your Health online series begins on Saturday, Jan. 22. There are seven classes, all on Saturdays beginning at 3 p.m. They are priced at $10 each, or purchase the whole series at a discount. Topics include “the power of your plate,” “breaking the food seduction,” “digestive health” and “keys for a natural appetite control,” among others.

Classes will be conducted via Zoom and include a live lecture, then three to four recipe demonstrations.

E-mail Dickman at eatplantsbewell77@gmail.com or call 812-401-0289.

Gangnam Korean BBQ

Gangnam on Main Street in Evansville is the place to go when you want a full menu of Korean classics such as Yook Gae Jang spicy beef soup, bibim-bap rice bowls, and banchan appetizers.

Gangnam also periodically offers classes in sushi making, whether it’s basic rolls for beginners in Sushi 101 or more advanced techniques in the 201 level classes. The classes are hands-on, all equipment is provided and participants get to eat their own rolls and one from the house.

Gangnam has also offered classes on how to make kimchi, the Korean favorite fermented cabbage.

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Watch Gangnam’s Facebook page at facebook.com/Gangnameville for upcoming classes, which will be announced soon.

Gangnam Korean BBQ is at 518 Main St.; 812-550-1171.

Siciliano Charcuterie

Siciliano Subs on Franklin Street started out as a sandwich shop serving subs made with Boar’s Head meat and cheeses, but found a second pandemic niche with charcuterie boxes and platters. It has been so successful that a separate Siciliano Charcuterie business will soon be live.

Owner Danielle Siciliano-Hodge also enjoys teaching charcuterie classes. Upcoming are two couples’ classes on Friday, Feb. 4 and Friday, Feb. 11 beginning at 6 p.m. Classes will be taught at Siciliano Subs (or the new Siciliano Charcuterie, if the building is open in time) and are $85 per couple. They include all class materials, a handmade cutting board and one beverage per person.

On Saturday, Feb. 26, an all-ages Alice in Wonderland class at 4 p.m. will be $50 per person.

Siciliano Subs is at 2021 W. Franklin St. To contact Siciliano Charcuterie, call 812-455-8713.

Thyme in the Kitchen

Thyme in the Kitchen on Franklin Street is a kitchen, cookware and tabletop store with the largest variety of cooking classes in the area.

Each month, 15-20 classes are offered in the store’s spacious demonstration kitchen area. Lunch classes are held from noon to 1 p.m. and are $25. Evening classes last from two to two and a half hours and have differing prices.

They might be elegant, three-course dinners with a cash bar or could be more technique-oriented. During non-pandemic times, hands-on classes are offered. Upcoming subjects include sourdough bread, Kitchen Zen vegan meal prep techniques, cooking with red wine, Northern Italian cuisine and many more. Private groups and custom menus are welcome. All of Thyme in the Kitchen’s public classes are listed on the website at thymeinthekitchen.com.

Thyme in the Kitchen is at 2308 W. Franklin St.; 812-437-2726.

Contact Aimee Blume at aimee.blume@courierpress.com