Private Groups
Why not make your next outing a cooking class? Cooking classes make a fun Girls' Day/Night Out, birthday celebration, office teambuilding activity, couples cooking party, or alternative baby/bridal shower! The two hour classes are held in the comfort of Tracy's kitchen, which can accommodate groups of up to ten people. Choose from one of the many menus listed below, or Tracy will tailor a class to fit the needs of your party.
Pricing
Two-hour private classes: $330 (includes up to 6 people, $55 each additional person)*
Availability & Scheduling
Daytime classes: available seven days per week.
Evening classes: available Monday-Thursday.
*Weekend evening classes: available on a limited basis and are $440 (includes up to 8 people, $55 each additional person).
A 50% deposit is required at time of booking. Balance is due one week prior to event date (see policies below). Special menu requests may result in an additional fee.
To plan your private group or for more information, contact Tracy at register@thesecretingredientonline.com or call 203-258-4610.
Menu Ideas For Private Classes / Parties
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.
Beach Picnic
Nothing beats dinner at the beach! This perfectly packable meal can be made ahead of time and adds some pizzazz to your picnic! The al fresco menu includes Asian Shredded Chicken Salad, Watermelon Salad with Mint, and Espresso Brownie Tartlets for dessert. We'll wash everything down with a refreshing Sweet Tea & Citrus Punch!
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 do-ahead Ham & Cheese Strata, an Artichoke-Parmesan Fritatta, Oatmeal Raisin Scones, and Stuffed French Toast.
Do-Ahead Dinners
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! Shepard's Pie with Mascarpone-Herbed Polenta, Roasted Eggplant Lasagna, and Mexican Turkey Chili are on the menu. In addition to tasting each dish, you'll each take a meal home for your freezer to enjoy another night!
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 four "no-bake" desserts including Chocolate-Espresso Pots de Creme, 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.
Five Ingredient Dishes (2 menus)
When you use flavorful ingredients, you don't need a lot of them! There are two menus from which to choose. Menu #1: Orange-Balsamic Chicken, Pasta with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce, and Pistachio-Crusted Pork Tenderloin. Menu #2: Chicken Oreganata with Tomatoes, Orechetti with Roasted Vegetables, and Pork Chops with Cider-Sage Sauce.
French Bistro Cooking
Ooo la la! In this class we'll learn to prepare four classic French bistro dishes, made easy. Mussels Provencal, Three Onion Soup Au Gratin, White Bean Cassoulet and Chocolate Pots du Creme are on the menu.
Healthy Farmers Market Cooking--seasonal
Fall is bountiful at the farmers market! We'll use the freshest, seasonal ingredients to prepare a Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms, Farmstand Gazpacho, and Fresh Pear-Applesauce.
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 four, healthy and delicious dishes. We'll make Cannellini Dip with Sage, Crispy Baked Cinnamon Chicken, Gingered Green Beans with Garlic, and a dairy-free Curried Cream of Broccoli Soup.
Holiday "No-Bake" Cookie Workshop
You don't have to be a baker to make delicious holiday treats this season! In this class we'll bypass the oven to make four scrumptious sweets including my family recipe for Italian Honey Balls (struffoli),Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark, colorful Christmas Wreath cookies, and Peanut Butter Crunchies.
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.
Italian Antipasti Party
Parties are more fun when they have a theme! In this class we'll prepare four scrumptious, Italian-inspired hors d'oeurves perfect for your next gathering. Pesto-Parmesan Straws, Roasted Red Pepper & Walnut Dip, Gorgonzola Stuffed Mushrooms and Crostini with Fig Relish are on the party menu.
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.
Italian Homemade Sunday Dinner
Sundays are the perfect time for a big, Italian-style family dinner. In this class we'll make everything from scratch---from the tomato sauce, to the meatballs, a classic basil pesto, and even the fresh ricotta cheese! It is a feast any family would love!
Main Course Salads
Looking to lighten up for spring and summer? Try these simple but satisfying salads! Italian Panzanella Salad, Cumin Orechette Salad with Chickpeas, and Asian Shredded Chicken Salad are all delicious without weighing you down!
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 learn to make homemade dough, then create pizzas with a variety toppings including, Roasted Red Pepper & Goat Cheese Pizza, Pesto Pizza with Mozzarella Fresca, and Grilled Pizza with Oregano Onions.
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 Spring Risotto with Asparagus.
Sensational Summer Sides
Not sure what serve on the side at your next barbeque? Tired of bringing the same green salad to your summer picnics? Add something new to your buffet table! Black Bean Salad with Cilantro(pictured above), Edamame and Vegetable Salad, Tomato and Cucumber Greek Salad, and Roasted Red Pepper Salad with Feta are all sure to impress your friends!
Souper Simple Soups (2 menus)
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! There are two menus from which to choose. Menu #1: Chicken-Veggie Noodle, Tortellini in Brodo with Spinach, Hearty Pasta Fagioli, and Chinese Egg-Drop. Menu #2: Curried Lentil Soup, Roasted Mushroom and Barley Soup, Ribolita (Tomato & Bread Soup), and "Rapido" Italian Wedding Soup.
Spanish Tapas Party
Spanish tapas are perfect for entertaining. Say "ole!" as we learn to create simple yet elegant hors d'oeurves to serve at your next party. On the party menu is a classic Roasted Red Pepper Tortilla, Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Toasts, Chorizo-Stuffed Mushrooms and Lemony White Bean Dip.
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.
A Taste of Ireland
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day all year long with these Celtic dishes! We'll start by baking a moist and delicious Irish Soda Bread, simmer some traditional Potato-Leek Soup, and whip up a new twist on an old classic, Shepherd's Pie!
A Taste Of Morocco
Travel across the sea and taste the flavors of Morocco! In this class we'll make a fabulous Saffron Fish Stew with Beans, a colorful Vegetable Couscous, and Sesame Meatballs with Mint-Yogurt Dipping Sauce.
A Taste of Thailand
You don't have to go out to enjoy great Thai food! In this class we'll make a classic but simple Shrimp Pad Thai, Chicken Satay with Spicy Peanut Dippng Sauce,a Thai-Style Asparagus side dish and enjoy a crisp Thai Cucumber Salad.
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.
The Secret Ingredient Private Group Policies: A deposit of 50% is due at time of booking. Balance is due one week prior to event date. Any changes or cancellations must be done more than one week in advance, otherwise deposit is forfeited. The same policies are in effect when gift certificates are being redeemed for private group classes. Please be advised that donated classes (from auctions, raffles, etc) expire one year from date of issue and are not redeemable for cash.