City Editor Rilee here. With the season of outdoor-grilled steaks, corn on the cob, and fresh veggie kabobs in full swing, I decided to make sure the pavement isn’t the only thing getting hot. Before firing up my grill, I brushed up on my grill skills with a live Summer Grilling demonstration class with the pros at our local Publix Aprons® Cooking School.
What the experience included (with pricing):
My $55 ticket included a front row seat to watch the professional Aprons® chefs demonstrate tips and tricks for cooking a four-course meal, along with expertly-paired wines with each course (aka a ton of bang for my buck). And yes, attendees get to eat everything. I tried:
- Quilt Chardonnay (2019), available at Publix for $32.99
- Barbecue bacon-wrapped po’boy sliders with remoulade slaw, paired with Elouan Pinot Noir (2019), $17.99
- Spinach salad with pickled peaches, paired with Boen Pinot Noir (2020), $26.99
- Chargrilled bone-in pork chops with coffee chop dry rub, charred corn + black beans, and three-pepper pico de gallo, paired with Quilt Cabernet Sauvignon (2019), $34.99
- Iron skillet blackberry cobbler paired with Quilt Red Blend (2020), $49.99 ?
What not to miss:
It’s pretty easy to have a fun time when you’re eating a great dinner, but here are a few ways you can elevate your experience:
- Register with friends. Between the delicious courses and entertaining commentary from professional chefs, you’ll have talking points for the whole drive home.
- Pay attention between courses to learn about the wines paired with each dish.
Did we mention that you get to take the recipes home with you? Bring a pen or pencil to take notes on your recipe packet so you can replicate it to perfection.
Parties are seated together just as you would be at a restaurant. | GIF by LALtoday
What we’re still talking about:
Can I make a confession? Cooking is not my forte, but after this demonstration I felt significantly more optimistic about grilling on my own. Huge shout out to the Aprons®’ chefs for my increased confidence — they clearly and carefully explained each step, answered questions, and kept everyone entertained with jokes + anecdotes.
How you can experience this:
Check out Publix Aprons® Cooking School’s website to find an upcoming class that suits your tastes.
Things to know if you go:
- Experience: Publix Aprons® Cooking School class
- Price: $55
- Website: https://Apronscookingschool.publix.com/location/lakeland-fl-468078908931
- Address: 4730 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, FL
- Hours: Hours vary by class
- Social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube*
