Aug. 30, 2010

LANCASTER – Indulge in your passion for food and wine this fall as you challenge your culinary skills, go on a tasting tour in New York City or develop your wine sense in one of several classes offered by the Continuing Education Division at the HACC-Lancaster Campus.

All classes are taught at the campus, 1641 Old Philadelphia Pike, unless otherwise noted.

Two new courses will appeal to the wine lovers in all of us, while providing knowledge for serving and presentation. Note students must be at least 21 years old to attend either class:

How to be a Wine Snob and Never Have to Admit It!, offered 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays, Oct. 5-26, at a cost of $139. This basic skills class will allow the wine neophyte to decipher the most intimidating subjects with ease, from wine lists and proper glassware, to food pairing and sensory perception. Students will have the opportunity to sample, compare, contrast, and discuss examples of varietals at each class.

Restaurant Wait Staff Wine Training, offered 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, or 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, at a cost of $29. This class will equip the professional server with an understanding of wine that will help to increase wine sales, provide better customer service, and produce higher check averages. Students will sample six of the most popular varietals to allow the server to become familiar with key aspects of each wine.

Classes in the kitchen include:

Knowing Knives, offered 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, at a cost of $59. Learn about different knives and their usage and proper cutting techniques, as well as watch a demonstration and have a hands-on opportunity to sharpen knives. This class is a must for anyone who wants to become more comfortable in the kitchen while using this important tool.

Food Revolution in Lancaster, offered 2-5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, at a cost of $65. With obesity on the rise, there is no time like the present to start cooking light and eating smart. This new hands-on class will showcase how to turn favorite meals into healthier options and still indulge in a Fallen Chocolate Soufflé Cake for dessert.

Cook Breakfast Like a Pro, offered 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, at a cost of $59. Learn how to make popular breakfast items including hash browns, breakfast wraps, crepes, omelets, and pancakes with fruit compotes. If you think velvety hollandaise sauce for Eggs Benedict is too difficult, join this class and you’ll find out otherwise.

For the adventuresome, Taste of New York, Part II, is offered Saturday, Oct. 2, at a cost of $179 per person. Buses leave from both the Lancaster and Harrisburg campuses starting at 6 a.m. for a day-long journey through central Greenwich Village and into the old Italian section of SoHo. Visit “mom and pop” specialty food shops and restaurants, and have several food tastings along the way. This walking tour will be held rain or shine. Buses will return approximately 10 p.m. The deadline to register for this food-tasting trip is Sept. 17.

HACC offers a variety of noncredit courses with something for most everyone. Go to www.hacc.edu and click on Noncredit Courses. There you’ll find a list of what’s offered and when at all of HACC’s five campuses, including Harrisburg, Lancaster, Gettysburg, Lebanon and York. The link leads you to the Shopping Cart where you can enroll. Users receive an e-mail confirming enrollment.

For more information, call continuing education office at HACC-Lancaster Campus at 717-358-2859.