“Dining In”

 May 13 – May 26, 2005

By Cindy Kibbe

Don’t you hate it when a cooking show wants you to make a duxelle of mushroom for a dish — then doesn’t tell you what the heck a duxelle is? Liz Barbour, chef, owner and instructor of Hollis-based The Creative Feast, can teach you all that and more.

Armed with her own portable burners, Barbour can show you all the techniques and tricks of the trade during a cooking demonstration for you and your friends right in your own home.

“Other chefs may not prepare a full menu,” said Barbour. “I show you how to prepare a full three-course meal that is elegant but simple enough for anyone, and I mean anyone, to prepare.”

The evening begins with Barbour’s own “chef’s tasting,” a “pre-appetizer,” she said, that allows her to be spontaneous and creative. She will then walk guests through the preparation of an appetizer, main course and dessert.

You can choose one of her menus, such as “Under the Tuscan Sun,” featuring dishes from the popular novel, or design your own menu. She supplies all the ingredients and also brings her own china to show you how to plate your meal so it looks like it came right from the restaurant. She also recommends wine parings that hosts can purchase from their favorite wine shop to accompany the meal.

Although typical demonstrations are about three hours long, she said there are no real time limits.

“I’m yours for the duration of the meal. That includes all the cleanup. My goal is that people learn to enjoy the whole experience, from the table setting to the food preparation to the food itself,” she said.

In-home cooking demonstrations are $55 per person and are ideal for groups of six to 10. Barbour also provides personal chef services for $75 per person and private cooking lessons.

For more information, call The Creative Feast at 465-6929 or visit thecreativefeast.com.