Aurora Cooks! August 2021

City of Aurora Cooking Classes August 2021

CityofAurora.PerfectMind.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS Aurora Cooks Kitchens are Open!

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How do In Person Classes Work?

Upcoming Cooking Class Schedule

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Classes for Families and Adults

Adult Virtual Custom Cooking Classes

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Virtual Cooking Birthday Parties

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REGISTRATION

Login to your account at CityofAurora.PerfectMind.com to browse and register for classes.

AURORA COOKS IS BACK! COOKING CLASSES AUGUST 2021

Dear Aurora Cooks Guests, We are now offering cooking classes at full capacity in our Expo, Central and Moorhead teaching kitchens! Along with our in-person classes, we will be hosting a limited number of virtual cooking classes. Our cooking classes are designed to develop age-specific skills, promote community, demystify scratch cooking across cultures, and promote fruit and vegetable consumption. We can help you become a confident home cook with our approach to cooking: empowering, practical and fun!

• Per the state mandate, fully vaccinated individuals may attend class without a mask; unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals must wear a mask.

• Scroll Down to see our upcoming list of in-person and virtual classes.

• Classes can also be viewed and registered for at CityofAurora.PerfectMind.com.

Please email auroracooks@auroragov.org to discuss allergies or dietary restrictions, prior to enrolling. We can’t wait to cook with you!

-The Aurora Cooks Team

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PARENT/TOT Curriculum designed for youth ages 3-6 accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. $30 • Price includes registration for one adult and one youth.

PRINCESS TEA PARTY

A WAFFLE LOT

Dress up as your favorite princess and gather your dolls! They won’t want to miss this fancy tea party spread. Menu: Mini Blueberry Scones, Bacon and Cheese Pinwheels, and Strawberry Hibiscus Tea 41241 August 7 • Sat., 9:30-11 a.m.

• Moorhead Recreation Center

Gather the family and meet us in the kitchen for a brunch that will be a waffle lot of fun! Menu: Bacon & Cheese Chaffles, Traditional Buttermilk Waffles and Rainbow Fruit Skewers 41114 August 28 • Sat., 10-11:30 a.m.

• Expo Recreation Center

THE FANCY DANCY ROYAL TEA PARTY Sound the trumpets and grab your groove for the Fancy Dancy Royal Tea Party. Inviting all little kings and queens to the fanciest tea party in the Aurora Cooks Kingdom.

Menu: Royal Almond Butter and Grape Jelly Tea Sandwiches, Your Majesty’s Tea, Cheesy King and Queen Crackers w/ Creamy Kingdom Garden Dip 41242 August 14 • Sat., 9:30-11 a.m.

• Central Recreation Center

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PARENT/FAMILY Curriculum designed for youth ages 6-12 accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. $50 • Price includes registration for one adult and one youth.

COFFEE SHOP CREATIONS

MOCHI MADNESS

Who doesn’t love a coffee shop treat to enjoy on a nice day? Come learn how to make some favorites with us.

Menu: Salted Caramel Buttermilk Muffins, Chocolate Almond Cookies and Pesto Pinwheels 41532 August 7 • Sat., 9-11 a.m.

• Central Recreation Center

Mochi, a Japanese dessert made of sweet rice flour, is unique in texturechewy, dense, and melts in your mouth. In this class, we will dive into the art of making mochi in all forms!

Menu: Lemon Blueberry Mochi Muffins and Cookie Dough Mochi 41248 August 7 • Sat., 1-3 p.m.

• Moorhead Recreation Center

BITES OF THE ROUND TABLE We are looking for the bravest chefs to help us prepare some of King Arthur’s most delicious bites of the round table. Menu: Mini Sir Beef Wellingtons w/ Honey Mustard, Princess Charming Strawberry Cream Cheese Crowns, Roasted Root Swords 41253 August 14 • Sat., 2-4 p.m.

• Central Recreation Center

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KIDS Curriculum designed for youth ages 6-9. $25 • Price includes registration for one youth.

DC UNIVERSE Pow! Bang! Bam! The villains don’t stand a chance with this powerful hero lineup. Menu: Gone in a Flash Sliders, Batarang Brownies, and Golden Lasso Smoothie 41363 August 5 • Thu., 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Expo Recreation Center

COOKIES & LEMONADE Join us for an afternoon of cookie fun! We will wash all our yummy creations down with a glass of Homemade Lemonade. Menu: Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, No-Bake Chocolate & Nut Butter Sandwich Cookies, & Homemade Lemonade 41364 August 14 • Sat., 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Expo Recreation Center

CHICAGO DEEP DISH PIZZA Let’s explore the “Windy City’s” classic pizza style and take pizza night to a new level. Menu: Pepperoni and Cheese Deep Dish Pizza, Roasted Garlic Broccoli, Marinara, Skillet Chocolate Chip Pizza 41260 August 21 • Sat., 2-4 p.m.

• Central Recreation Center

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TEEN Curriculum designed adults ages 10-14. $30 • Price includes registration for one youth.

CREATIVE CALZONES

MARVELOUS SUPERHERO SNACKS

Join us in making these fun handheld pizza pockets (Calzones).

You will surely want to make them again for your family! Menu: Buffalo Chicken Calzones and Salad Skewers with Homemade Ranch 41371 August 6 • Fri., 1-4 p.m.

• Expo Recreation Center

Grab a cape or apron and transform into the kitchen superhero that you are! Menu: Thor’s Hammer Cookies, Captain America Mini Pizzas and Hulk Smash Punch 41264 August 7 • Sat., 2-5 p.m.

• Central Recreation Center

COOKIN’ IN A GALAXY FAR FAR AWAY Is the force strong in an emerging junior Jedi chef in your house?

Punch your ship into light speed toward our kitchen for a fun Jedi chef academy to master the basics.

Menu: Lemongrass Ginger Coconut Braised Death Star Chicken Meatballs, Garlic Yoda Zoodles, Darth Vader Chocolate Covered Almond Butter Bites 41468 August 28 • Sat., 2-5 p.m.

• Expo Recreation Center

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ADULT 15+ Curriculum designed adults ages 15 years and older. $35 • Price includes registration for one adult.

GREEKIN’ OUT

EVERYDAY INDIAN

Fresh, flavorful and delicious! Join us in making an Indian spread that will tickle your taste buds. Menu: Green Chicken Masala, Garlic Bhatura and Gujarati Cabbage with Coconut and Potato 41389 August 6 • Fri., 6-9 p.m.

• Expo Recreation Center

Attention cooks and food geeks, it is time to make dinner and tonight we’ll make it GREEK. In this class we will explore some Mediterranean flavors with a fun and flavorful menu.

Join us and change up your normal weeknight dinner and let’s Greek Out. Menu: Spinach and Feta Stuffed Lamb Meatballs, Mediterranean Orzo Salad, Spanakopita 41268 August 5 • Fri., 6-9 p.m.

• Central Recreation Center 41391 August 14 • Sat., 3-6 p.m.

• Expo Recreation Center

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THE ART OF ONE POT COOKING It is time to have a little break from dish washing. Experience cooking without using every pot and pan you own. Explore the art of one pot cooking with this French inspired menu. Menu: Basil Lemon Artichoke Chicken Fricassee, Roasted Garlic Whipped Cauliflower, Caramel Apple Tart Tatin 41267 August 12 • Thu., 6-9 p.m.

• Central Recreation Center

RETRO DINER Transform your kitchen into an oldfashioned diner and join us for a blast from the past, as we prepare some classic and comforting American diner staples. Menu: Smashed Diner-Style Cheeseburger with Caramelized Onions and Special Sauce, Classic Home Fries, Chocolate Malted Milkshake 41270 August 19 • Thu., 6-9 p.m.

• Central Recreation Center

RAMEN 101 Break out your chopsticks and learn how to simplify making a delicious bowl of ramen. Menu: Easy Chicken Ramen, Ramen Egg and Blistered Shishito Peppers with Ginger Sesame Aioli 41392 August 20 • Sat., 6-9 p.m.

• Expo Recreation Center

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ADULT 21+ Curriculum designed adults ages 21 years and older. $40 • Price includes registration for one adult.

TROPICAL DINNER VACATION

WHISKEY BUSINESS

Enjoy & prepare an elegant whiskey-inspired meal. Don’t take a chance on dinner, we have your back. Leave the whiskey business to us. Menu: Coriander and Fennel Rubbed Pork Loin with a Whiskey Pan Sauce, Ginger Mashed Carrots & Individual Maple & Whiskey Pudding Cakes for dessert 41366 August 13 • Fri., 6-9 p.m.

• Central Recreation Center

Life is not always sunshine, ocean waves or sandy toes. However, there is hope on the horizon and a cooking class that will help transform the typical steak dinner into a refined, full-flavored, and tropical dinner vacation. Bon appetite and bon voyage! Menu: Mojo Marinated Steak, Toasted Coconut Mango Lime Rice, Crunchy Cuban Slaw 41276 August 6 • Fri., 6-9 p.m.

• Central Recreation Center

RUSTIC CAJUN

Expand your “go to” home cooked meal repiteaux and explore Cajun cuisine. Join us as we walk you through some southern classic dishes. During class we will highlight tips and techniques behind the rustic and robust flavors of the Cajun region. Menu: Spicy Chicken Gumbo, Fried Green Tomatoes with Remoulade, Mint Julep 41367 August 20 • Fri., 6-9 p.m.

• Central Recreation Center

THAI NIGHT: SHRIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE

Have you been dreaming of a charming and romantic night in Thailand? Preparing Thai food is both feisty and flavorful. In class we will tame it down and make it “shrimple” by properly preparing and walking you through the Pad Thai process stepby-step. Enjoy a refreshing Singapore Sling cocktail and tune in for some fun and learning. Menu: Thai Coconut & Lime Shrimp Lettuce Wraps, Pad Thai, Chai Caramelized Apples w/ Coconut Whip, Singapore Sling Cocktail 41431 August 13 • Fri., 6-9 p.m.

• Expo Recreation Center

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BRUNCH, BELLINI’S, REPEAT

Grab a friend & join us for a show stopping brunch that is sure to impress. We will cheers to all your efforts with refreshing Bellini’s.

Menu: Summer Vegetable Hash with Poached Eggs, Spiced Dutch Baby topped with Caramelized Apples and Walnuts, and fresh Bellini’s to drink 41432 August 21 • Sat., 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.

• Expo Recreation Center

NEW MIDDLE EAST The Aurora Cooking Guru reminds us, “Cook different something that is familiar.” Try new flavors as we prepare these simple and approachable recipes. Discover a taste of the New Middle East. Menu: Crispy Chicken Sesame Schnitzel w/ Harissa Honey, Persian Chopped Salad, Turmeric & Toasted Cumin Rice and Cardamom Mint & Lemon Cocktail 41368 August 21 • Sat., 6-9 p.m.

• Central Recreation Center

DATE NIGHT NAWLINS Bypass your typical night and let’s head to the French Quarter for some scrumptious eats. Together we will prepare a cozy Cajun inspired meal filled with flavor, fun and of course a French 75! Menu: Cajun Shrimp n Grits, Bacon Braised Collard Greens, Bourbon Praline Bread Pudding, French 75 41433 August 27 • Fri., 6-9 p.m.

• Expo Recreation Center

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HAPPY HOUR ADULT 21+ Curriculum designed for adults ages 21 years and older. $35 • Price includes registration for one adult.

PIEROGIES & BEER A true taste of Poland! In this class, you will learn how to make these wonderfully savory (and sometimes sweet) dumplings while enjoying some perfectly paired beer. Menu: Potato and Cheese Pierogis with a Brown Butter Sage Sauce and Apple PIE-rogis 41462 August 19 • Thu., 6-8 p.m.

• Expo Recreation Center

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AURORA COOKS LIVE! INTERACTIVE VIRTUAL COOKING CLASSES Let us bring our teaching kitchen to into the comfort of your home! Join us for a 2-hour class where you can cook along live with one of our talented chefs. We’ll walk you through the entire menu, sharing our tips and expertise while providing opportunities to virtually connect and share the dishes we create together. Each participant will receive a copy of the recipes, ingredient list, and shopping list along with the virtual registration link for each class.

• All classes are $20 and 2 hours unless noted.

• Price includes registration link for entire household.

• All classes are virtual and will take place in YOUR home.

• All classes will be conducted through Microsoft Teams and no account or login is required.

• Following registration, participants will receive an email with recipes, shopping & equipment lists in order to prepare for class.

• All classes are non-refundable and all purchases are final.

VIRUTAL ADULT 15+ Curriculum designed adults ages 15 years and older • $20/ device

CHINESE TAKEOUT Skip the trip and make your favorite Chinese Takeout favorites at home.

Menu: General Tao’s Chicken, Vegetable Fried Rice, & Egg Drop Soup 41466 August 12 • Thu., 6-8 p.m.

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VIRTUAL ADULT CUSTOM COOKING CLASSES IN-PERSON CUSTOM COOKING CLASSES COMING SOON! Adult ages 18 and older • $20 per registered household with a $100 minimum

Celebrate

your next birthday, anniversary, corporate team building event or special occasion with a virtual custom cooking class! Take this opportunity to connect with friends and loved ones who may be scattered across the country or just down the street.

Enjoy a 2-hour class where our talented chefs will guide guests through their choice of menu in the comfort of your own home. Email auroracooks@auroragov.org to book your Aurora Cooks LIVE! custom virtual cooking class today.

MENU OPTIONS: • Dim Sum • Street Tacos or Tamales • Gnocchi or Homemade Pasta • Spanish Tapas • Weekend Brunch • Taste of Thailand

For availability and booking information, email auroracooks@auroragov.org 13

VIRTUAL COOKING BIRTHDAY PARTIES IN-PERSON COOKING BIRTHDAY PARTIES COMING SOON!

Youth ages 7-12 • $100 for 10 participants

Become

a chef on your next birthday and cook up a party with Aurora Cooks! Connect with all your friends for a 90-minute virtual cooking class where our talented chefs will walk you through a delicious birthday celebration. After choosing your menu, our team will send you everything you need to prepare for your in-home virtual cooking party. We’ll guide youth step-by-step through the recipes with personalized instruction, allowing time for questions and celebrating. The last 15-20 minute will be reserved for enjoying the delicious meal the budding chefs have worked so hard to create.

MENU OPTIONS: • Cupcake Mania!

• Bean & Cheese Taquitos • Personal Pizzas • Quiche Cups & Fruit Kabobs • Crispy Veggie Wontons & Sesame Dipping Sauce

For availability and booking information, email auroracooks@auroragov.org 14

GIVE THE GIFT

OF COOKING!

GIFT CARD

Do you have an aspiring chef in your life?

Cooking classes make great gifts!

Email us at auroracooks@auroragov.org to purchase a gift card.

AuroraGov.org/Cooking