workshops

Currently, all classes are online and are scheduled with the culinary program of Adult and Community Education – Fairfax County Public Schools in Northern Virginia. Find upcoming classes below and follow link to register.

For individual workshops or event collaboration, please contact me at nicola (dot) phelps (at) cox (dot) net.

sign up now for classes in 2021!

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Baking Croissants from Scratch
Sat, April 17, 2021, 10:00 AM – 1: 00 PM
FCPS ACE

In this class you will prepare yeast dough from scratch, learn how to incorporate butter into the laminated layers,
and you will be introduced to the basic technique of how to shape & bake croissants.
In-person session @ 3 hrs, limited space available.
register

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German Pastry Classic: Black Forest Cake
Sat, January 30, 2021, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
FCPS ACE Online

Black Forest Cake

Learn how to bake, fill, ad decorate the most famous of the German cakes. In this class we will bake the chocolate sponge base from scratch, build a three layer cake wit cherry filling and decorate the cake the classic way. Ingredient & tool list will be sent prior to class so you can cook along from home.
Online session @ 3 hrs

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German Pastry Classic: Strudel
Sat, March 20, 2021, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM,
FCPS ACE Online

Apfelstrudel

Strudel is a German pastry classic and it is one of those treats that most people think of with awe, reverence, and trepidation – at least when it comes to making it from scratch. In this class you will learn how to prepare the dough and how to stretch it into a large, paper thin rectangle to be filled, either sweet or savory. Ingredient & tool list will be sent prior to class so you can cook along from home.
online session @ 3 hrs

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available later in 2021

Baking Bread from Scratch

Baking Bread from Scratch

If it’s a hearty sourdough loaf, rich rye bread or soft pretzels, in this class you will be introduced to how to prepare naturally leavened dough, and to the basic principles of kneading, proofing and baking bread from scratch.
1 session @ 5 hrs.

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Baking Bread from Scratch: Ancient Grains
Alexandria, VA

Heirloom grains like spelt, einkorn, emmer, or sorghum are grown from seeds that have been passed down from generation to generation. They are less processed and tend to contain less gluten and more nutrients. They’re usually whole grain and they add a richer, nuttier, earthier flavors to any baked good. In this class, learn how to use them when baking a sourdough loaf, crunchy rolls, and a pan loaf.
1 session @ 5hrs.

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German Baking Classic: Breakfast Rolls & Buns

Learn how to make hearty rolls and sweet buns from a variety of grains and flours. Fill your breakfast table in no time with a variety of baked goods rooted in the tradition of old world baking.
1 session @ 5 hrs.

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Stollen & Fruitbread
Alexandria, VA

In this class we will be preparing and baking two authentic German holiday classics: Stollen, a sweet bread filled with marzipan, ground almonds and raisins, and Fruit bread, a dark and heavy loaf full of nuts and dried fruit soaked in rum.
1 session @ 3 hrs 

 

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German Christmas Cookies
Alexandria, VA


Get ready for the holiday season and bake some of your all time favorite German Christmas cookies. Learn how to make Vanilla Kipferl, Linzer cookies, macarons and some lesser known, but equally delicious festive treats.
1 session @ 3 hrs.

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Cook, Talk, Learn…German Christmas Cookies
Alexandria, VA


Bake German cookies while polishing up on your German! Get ready for the holiday season and bake some of your all time favorite German Christmas cookies. Learn how to make Vanilla Kipferl, Linzer cookies, macarons and some lesser known, but equally delicious festive treats. Please Note: This class will be held in conversational German with support in the English language.
1 session @ 3 hrs.

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Traditional German Holiday Baking
  Cambridge, MD

Get ready for the holiday season and bake some authentic German classics! Morning class begin with a tasting, and moves into the classics: Vanilla Kipferl, Linzer Cookies, Macarons and some lesser known, but equally delicious festive treats. Afternoon class begins with a tasting that kicks into baking the traditional Stollen, and a sweet bread filled with dried fruits and nuts. Discover some new traditions for your family, or re-trace ones from your past. Sessions can be booked together or separately.
2 sessions @ 3 hrs each

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German Desserts

Sweet treats and desserts are a hugely important part of German culture. In this class you will be introduced to a variety German dessert classics like red berry jelly, plum dumplings, apple fritters and the famous “Kaiserschmarren”.
1 sessions @ 3 hrs.

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German Pastry Baking

Learn how to bake from scratch buttery streusel sheet cake, marble bundt cake, cheese cake, buttery braided yeast bread and a variety of other German pastry classics. This class offers a first time experience for beginners as well as an expansion of knowledge for the experienced baker on the art of cakes and sweet treats from the different regions of Germany.
2 sessions @ 3 hrs each.

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Gluten Free Pastry


Whether you are eating gluten-free for dietary restrictions or hosting a gluten-sensitive friend, find out how to bake delicious cakes, pie crusts and cookies without wheat! We will prepare such flavorful sweet treats, no one will know they are gluten-free.
1 session, 3 hrs.