North Central resident Nancy Matsui had had a lifelong love of cooking, which she now shares with the community through her Onion Enterprise-Education in Flavor series of classes.
Matsui offers cooking classes in her home near 15th and Northern avenues, and occasionally features guest chefs. Each class includes demonstrations with each dish served, and a copy of all recipes.
A new series begins this month, will classes taking place 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays. First up is a Tribute to famed Chef Jacques Pepin’s 80th Birthday on Feb. 6. There will be preparations of an appetizer, veggie and dessert.
The second class features a Grilled Flatbread Get-Together on Feb. 13, with recipes for one savory and one sweet creation. Then on Feb. 20, enjoy “Blue Zone Dishes” on Feb. 12. People living in Blue Zones reach age 100 at 10 times the average rate, and many suspect that diet places a large part in these longest-living cultures. Sample Blue Zone Pork & Beans, Cabbage & Rice, Hummus, and Mashed Sweet Potatoes with a twist.
Other classes include “International Pastas” on March 5; “Year-Round Comfort Foods” on March 12; “Sweet and Savory Multi-Asian Tapas” on March 19; “Toasted Grains and Greens” on April 2; “Tribute to Ottolenghi” on April 9; and “Sweet and Savory Bits and Bites” on April 16.
All classes are $45 each. Space is limited, so RSVP quickly. Payment must be received prior to the class in order to hold the reservation. To RSVP or for more information, e-mail Nancy Matsui at onionenterprise@cox.net, or call 602-618-6527.
To pick up a hard copy of the Education in Flavor brochure, with a full description of each class, visit the Southwest Gardener at 300 W. Camelback Road, or John’s Amish Country at the Uptown Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays at North Phoenix Baptist Church, 5757 N. Central Ave. McClendon’s Select also carries the brochures at the Wednesday Uptown Farmers Market.