With support from the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, 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 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 West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History
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.
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.