Augusta is presenting a series of foodways classes in Elkins, WV. The classes will be taught by experienced chefs and home cooks from a variety of cultures represented in Appalachia today. Classes will cover specific dishes such as adobo, Palestinian hand pies sauerkraut and collard greens, as well as addressing topics such as preservations and sustainable harvesting techniques for ramps. Students can expect to come away from each class with hands-on knowledge about how to make a dish and hopefully a deeper understanding of the importance of that dish to the people whose kitchens it sprang from.
This project is made possible by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
What are foodways?
Foodways are more than food itself — they are the beliefs and context surrounding food, the person-to-person teaching of its preparation, as well as the community in which the food is enjoyed. The passing down of food traditions from one generation to the next is an integral piece of a community’s identity and culture. We use food to deepen community ties, celebrate important holidays, mark milestones, and enrich our lives. A community’s values are readily communicated in the ways that food is celebrated and shared within it.\
Only 15 slots available for each class! If your desired class is sold out, please reach out to Emily (emily@augustaartsandculture.org) to be added to the waitlist.
Christmas Cookies from Scratch
Monday, December 9, 2024 6-8:30 pm | Phil Gainer Community Center, Elkins, WV
Cost: $40
Mix and form dough from scratch, then form and bake four dough varieties for a lovely mixed cookie plate. Cookie options may include biscotti, rugelach, sesame reginelle, Mexican wedding cookies, and crisp gingerbread. You will take home recipes for each kind, plus 3-4 dozen cookies, and a decorating tip to keep the fun going at home.
**Note: This class will go to 8:30 to allow for baking times!**
Mimi Kibler owned and operated LaFontaine Bakery in Parsons, and comes from a family that bakes scads of holiday cookies together every year.
Previous 2024 Classes:
A Festive British Treat: Mince Pies and Brandy Butter with Zoe Uhrig
Monday, November 18, 2024 6-8 pm | Phil Gainer Community Center, Elkins, WV
Cost: $40
With the holiday season just around the bend, English baker Zoe is excited to share the holiday treats of her homeland, namely, the classic mince pie. Learn how to perfect a flaky shortcrust pastry, spice a luxurious mincemeat filling and whip a decadently boozy brandy butter. Also learn about the humble beginnings of the famous British tradition and its evolution into the iconic Christmastime treat.
Zoe Uhrig is a British-born baker and entrepreneur who has recently relocated from south-east England to Elkins, West Virginia. Zoe started baking at age 5 and has been working with her chef father for the past decade in the culinary industry. Turning simple ingredients such as butter, flour and sugar into delicious and visually stunning masterpieces has been an integral part of Zoe’s life. Now the avid foodie and pastry lover is taking her passion to new heights through her startup: The Baker’s Daughter. A bakery and cafe specializing in artisan bread and baked goods. The brand’s first brick-and-mortar premises will make its home in downtown Elkins in Spring 2025.
Soul Food with Sharell Woodward
Monday, March 25, 2024 6-8 pm | Phil Gainer Community Center, Elkins, WV
Cost: $40
Learn to cook a entire classic soul food meal with main dish and delectable sides! This class earned rave reviews last year (and was sold out!) so grab your spot early.
Sharell Woodward learned to cook soul food from her family, perfecting the recipes over time and putting her own spin on the classics. She runs The Southern Kitchen, a popular restaurant and catering business in Elkins, WV and won the 2022 “New Business of the Year” from the Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce.
Ramps: The Flavor of Springtime with Kyle Weaner and Kiki Alba
Monday, April 22, 2024, 6-8 pm | Phil Gainer Community Center, Elkins, WV
Cost: $40
Kyle Weaner and Kiki Alba got married in a ramp patch, which should dismantle any lingering misconceptions you may have about whether a class featuring ramps is a good idea for a date. They hope to instill in you their love for this spring tonic: sharing sustainable harvesting practices, preparations both traditional and surprising, and ways to preserve ramps, so you can enjoy the magic year round.
Filipino Delights: Chicken Adobo with Ging Murdock
Monday, May 20, 2024, 6-8 pm | Phil Gainer Community Center, Elkins, WV
Cost: $40
Ging Murdock of Gingrollsandpancit in Beverly, WV will teach us how to make traditional Filipino adobo, a comforting traditional dish jam-packed with flavor. Ging operates her restaurant and catering business in Beverly featuring food from her home country of the Philippines.
Sfeeha: Palestinian Hand Pies with Maggie Lutz
Monday, June 17, 2024, 6-8 pm | Phil Gainer Community Center, Elkins, WV
Cost: $40
Maggie Hazboun Lutz of Canaan Valley is excited to share a favorite Palestinian comfort food. A simple dough with delicious fillings is a tasty way to explore the connections from Appalachia to the Middle East. Maggie Lutz is a first generation Palestinian (on her father’s side) who loves to honor her father’s culture through food! In her childhood home, sfeeha was made in large batches and served for parties, a special after-school treat and something her children love to find in their lunchbox. Maggie is donating 100% of her teaching fee from this class to the Palestinian Children’s Resource Fund.
Sauerkraut: Digging Into Fermentation
Monday, August 26, 2024 6-8 pm | Phil Gainer Community Center, Elkins, WV
Cost: $40
Class Description: We will delve into the art of fermentation, starting with the foundational basics of making traditional sauerkraut. We will also explore some ways to spice it up and try other kraut styles too.
KB Behrens resides in Tucker County, where she enjoys tending her gardens and crafting herbal tonics and ferments to share with her community. She also truly enjoys sharing her love of plants and fermenting with others, especially by taking kids on plant walks.
Introduction to Pastry
Monday, September 23 2024 6-8 pm | Phil Gainer Community Center, Elkins, WV
Cost: $40
Join pastry chef Andrea Russell from Belington Bakery for a crash course in crafting flaky, buttery, sourdough croissants from scratch. We’ll cover the basics of mixing, lamination, proofing, shaping and baking. Don’t know what any of those words mean? That’s okay! Bring your curiosity and an appetite—class includes samples of the finished product.
Andrea Russell began baking professionally at Magpie Bakery in Harrisonburg, VA in 2021, with a focus on sourdough and French-style pastry. She is a co-owner of Belington Bakery, where she continues to crank out pastry. She eats a bagel every day.
Begin Bread Baking with Bagels
Monday, October 21 2024 6-8 pm | Phil Gainer Community Center, Elkins, WV
Cost: $40
The class will mix, knead, shape, boil and bake bagels using common ingredients and kitchen equipment. We will discuss how the ingredients and techniques are used when making other yeast breads. The class will be using wheat flour.
Mary Smakula is a resident of Randolph County. She has been baking bread at home for over fifty years and still finds wonder in the transformation of flour, water and yeast into bread. She likes to lead others in discovering bread baking and incorporating baking into their lives.