Private Groups
Pricing
Adult private classes are $330 (includes up to 6 people, $55 each additional person). A 50% deposit is required at time of booking. Non-refundable balance is due two weeks prior to event date.
Parent/Child Classes
The Secret Ingredient is now offering parent/child cooking classes too! These specially designed 90 minute classes encourage healthy eating and kitchen safety while preparing nutritous, kid-friendly foods. Each group will prepare 2-3 recipes, which they will enjoy during class. Private group classes are $300 (includes up to 4 parents/4 kids) or $375 for 5 parents/5 kids. Contact Tracy for menu options.
To plan your private group, contact Tracy at register@thesecretingredientonline.com or call 203-255-0487.
Menu Ideas For Private Classes / Girls' Night Out Groups
* Denotes a Secret Ingredient favorite.
All-American Comfort Foods
Nothing says "home" like the aroma of comfort foods coming from the kitchen! We'll make updated versions of All-American favorites like Macaroni with Four Cheeses, Chicken Pot Pie, and Mini Italian-Style Meatloaf.
*All-New Stews & Chili
Nothing says winter like a big pot of stew or chili simmering on the stove. In this class we'll bypass the old standards and cook up something new---but just as satisfying. Brazilian Vegetable Stew, White Chili, and "Hiker's" Stew are on the menu and sure to become family favorites. We'll warm up by tasting all the dishes at the end of class.
Brunch Basics
Brunch is a great way to entertain. Whether it be on a Sunday with family and friends, or as a special meal for a loved one, this class will help you make memorable meals every time . In this class we will learn to make a Ham & Cheese Strata, Mini Artichoke-Parmesan Quiches, Fruit Salad with White Wine and Mint, and Baked Blueberry French Toast.
*Do-Ahead Dinners (2 menu options)
If you don't have time to prepare a home-cooked meal every night, stock your freezer with "do-ahead dinners"! We'll prepare three tasty dishes that can be eaten the same day or frozen for another night. Or, split the recipe and eat half, freeze half, for a great "two-in-one" meal! Choose one of two menus: menu 1-- Shepard's Pie with Mascarpone-Herbed Polenta, Chicken Florentine Stuffed Shells, and Mexican Turkey Chili, or menu 2--Chipotle-Beef Enchiladas, Roasted Eggplant Lasagne, and Sweet & Sour Chicken. In addition to tasting each dish, you'll each take a meal home for your freezer to enjoy another night!
*Do-Ahead Summer Dishes
The next time you're grilling or cooking, throw on a few extra items to use the next night in a light and refreshing summer do-ahead dish! We'll prepare Chinese Shredded Chicken Salad, Fresh Corn and Tomato Salad, and Asian Noodle Salad with Salmon. All of these dishes can be prepared in advance, so are perfect for your next picnic or party.
Easy No-bake Desserts
If you love dessert, but baking isn’t your thing, this is the class for you! In this class we'll prepare three "no-bake" desserts including Chocolate-Espresso Pots de Crème, Cantaloupe Granita with Mint, Grilled Brown Sugar Peaches with Amaretti and Tiramisu. The perfect ending to any meal, these sweets are delicious and easy enough to make for your family or a crowd.
Farmers Market Cooking: Fall Season
The movement to "eat locally" has gained quite a bit of momentum in recent years. The closer to home your food is produced, the fresher, more nutritious, and better tasting it is. In this class we'll prepare recipes featuring food purchased from local farms and producers. In keeping with the season, we'll prepare Pasta with Pumpkin and Sweet Sausage, Roasted Red Pepper and Pine Nut Salad, and an Apple-Plum Crumble.
Grilling: All-American Style
Grilling is popular world-wide, but nothing satisfies like good old fashioned American barbeque! We�ll put a spin on some classics and grill up Stuffed BLT Burgers, Lemon & Herb Beer-Can Chicken, and Grilled Corn Salad with Tomatoes.
Grilling: Asian Style
If you love Asian flavors, they pair perfectly with grilled food. Add some elegance to your next barbeque with menu items like Asian Spice Rubbed Pork, Thai Shrimp Kabobs, and Grilled Fruit with Ginger.
Grilling: Greek Style
Opa! Greek flavors pair perfectly with the grill! In this class we'll start with Grilled Eggplant Salad with Feta, Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki, and Paradiso Stuffed Calamari.
*Grilling: Italian Style
We'll use the grill to make a variety of Italian-flavored meals which are perfect for your next get-together! Marinated Portobello Mushroom "Burgers" with Roasted Red Peppers, Grilled Pizza, and Chicken & Veggie Skewers with Pesto are on the menu.
Grilling: Southwestern Style
Give your next barbeque a southwestern flair! In this class we'll bypass boring burgers and grill up Fresh Grilled Pineapple Salsa, Pork with Orange-Chipotle Sauce, and Grilled Vegetables with Cilantro-Lime Dressing.
Healthy-Healing Dishes
Inspired by a recent trip to the Canyon Ranch Spa, this new class will focus on using ingredients with healing properties. Herbs and spices have long been used in ancient cultures for their health benefits, now we�ll incorporate them into three, healthy and delicious dishes. We�ll make Crispy Baked Cinnamon Chicken, Gingered Green Beans with Garlic, and a dairy-free Curried Cream of Broccoli Soup.
Holiday Cookies
December is the time for treats! Add a few more selections to your holiday dessert table, including rich Mint Chocolate Crackles, buttery Almond Crescents, festive Holiday Wreaths, and Struffoli (Italian honey balls)! You'll taste everything at the end of class, and make a cookie sampler to bring home to your family.
Holiday Side Dishes
Whether you're hosting one of the many holidays this season, or just want to add some new sides to liven up your weeknight meals, this class is for you! We'll prepare Vanilla Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Creamy Mustard Glazed Haricot Vertes and Carrots, Zucchini & Red Peppers with Parmesan, and Barley "Risotto" with Mushrooms.
Indoor Grilling
It may be too cold to cook outside, but grilling isn't out of the question! Using a grill pan, we'll create dishes like Chipotle-Lime Chicken & Shrimp Skewers, Grilled Vegetables with Pesto, and Spaghetti with Grilled Tomatoes and Herbed Goat Cheese.
*Italian Classics, Simplified
If you love classic Italian food found in restaurants, now you can make it at home! On the menu is simple but creamy Fettuccini Alfredo, easy and quick Eggplant Parmesan, and a delicious Chicken Saltimboca.
*Light Spring Suppers
As summer approaches, it's time to lighten up! All three recipes on this evening's menu are simple to prepare, healthy, and best of all, won't weigh you down! We'll make a variation on the classic Salad Nicoise, an Asian Noodle Salad with Salmon, and a Spring Frittata with Asparagus and Basil.
Party Primer
Throwing an hors d'oeurve party is much easier than hosting a dinner party! Choose from three themes, Spanish-inspired tapas, Retro Hors d'oeurves and fondue, or Italian antipasti. Contact Tracy for full details.
*Perfect Pasta
Everyone loves pasta…it’s simple enough for a weeknight meal, yet elegant enough for a dinner party. In this class we’ll forget about carbs and perfect three versatile pasta dishes. Penne alla Vodka, Linguini Carbonara with Artichokes, and Rigatoni Bolognese are on the menu and sure to become favorites at your dinner table.
*Pizza At Home
Pizza isn't just for take-out! In this class we'll make pizzas with a variety of crusts and toppings, including Roasted Red Pepper & Goat Cheese Pizza, a traditional Pissaladiere (French Provencal pizza), and Grilled Pizza with Mozzarella Fresca.
Risotto!
Risotto, a favorite at Italian restaurants, is delicious, versatile, and, difficult to make?? No! We'll learn the correct techniques for making perfect, creamy risotto every time. In this class we'll prepare a classic Risotto Milanese, Wild Mushroom Risotto, and a Lemon Risotto with Shrimp.
Romantic Dinner For Two
Whether it's for Valentine's Day, an anniversary, or just a quiet evening at home, surprise your sweetheart with this delicious meal. This romantic menu includes Prosciutto Rolls with Figs & Truffle Oil, a Simple Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette, Fettuccini with Porcini Cream Sauce, and decadent Chocolate Truffles for dessert.
Seafood Celebration!
If you love seafood but aren't sure how to prepare it, this class is for you. We'll learn tasty ways to prepare a variety of seafood dishes which are simple, healthy, and most importantly, delicious! Mussels with Spicy Tomatoes and Basil, Honey-Mustard Glazed Salmon, and Tilapia with Citrus Bagna Cauda are on the menu.
*Sensational Summer Salads and Sides
Not sure what serve on the side at your next barbeque? Tired of bringing the same green salad to your summer picnics? Choose three sensational salads and sides from the following: Black Bean Salad with Cilantro(pictured above), Cucumber-Peach Salad (pictured left), Edamame and Vegetable Salad, Tomato and Cucumber Greek Salad, Roasted Red Pepper Salad with Feta (pictured on "Publications" page), Orzo Salad with Olives and Feta, Panzanella Salad, Cumin Orechette Salad with Chickpeas, Asian Shredded Chicken Salad, & Garden Tabbouleh Salad.
*Souper Simple Soups
Fall and winter are the perfect season for a hot bowl of soup. Even better, homemade soup doesn't have to take hours to prepare! In this class, we'll stir up four easy soups, including Chicken-Veggie Noodle, Tortellini in Brodo with Spinach, Hearty Pasta Fagioli, and Chinese Egg-Drop.
Stir-fry Cooking
The wok is a staple in Asian cooking---but even if you don't have one, you can make delicious stir-fry dishes! Stir-fries are healthy, quick, and satisfying for your whole family. We'll learn the basics of stir-fry while making Hoisin Chicken with Cashews, Shrimp Lo Mein, and Sesame Vegetable Stir-fry.
Thanksgiving 101
If preparing Thanksgiving dinner for your family and friends has you in knots, come and learn some simple but elegant recipes to ensure your holiday dinner is a success. Choose to prepare (Menu #1)Currant Glazed Turkey, Simple Stuffing, Sage Pan Gravy and Parmesan Mashed Potatoes OR (Menu #2)Haricot Vertes with Walnuts, Maple Acorn Squash, Fresh Cranberry-Orange Relish, and Apple-Cranberry Turnovers.
*Winter Stews
Cold weather screams out for stew! The best thing about these delicious stews are that they don’t take all day to prepare. Sicilian Seafood Stew, Vegetable Stew with Feta, and Hunter’s Chicken Stew are on the menu.