I took a cooking class over the weekend, and it was the best decision I have made in a long time.

Some people dream of climbing Mt. Everest, I have always dreamed of making homemade pasta. Well I made that pasta, and learned a whole bunch in the process.

The Broome County Regional Farmer's Market, Upper Front Street in Binghamton, is one of the best kept "secrets" in Broome County. They have multiple farmers markets a week, a bunch of exhilarating cooking classes, and you can rent the market for your next event.

I was invited to an Ugly Sweater/Date Night cooking class over the weekend, and I was blown away.

Let me first start out by saying the instructor, Chef Danielle, is amazing. How she isn't a celebrity chef is beyond me. She makes everyone feel very relaxed while learning to cook AND inserts her own brand of cooking humor, a term I just made up.

I was motivated to learn some new dishes but Chef Danielle made me inspired. The wine also helped.

We started out by making dessert first. Chef Danielle said "make dessert first in case dinner sucks, that way you have a backup plan." I was never a fan of lava cakes, until I used real chocolate and my mind was changed.

Jay Franiak
Jay Franiak
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We then made seasonal crostinis. One was a traditional bruschetta and the other was a brie cheese based appetizer. When I tell you how easy these were to make, I am underselling how easy they are to make. Easy doesn't mean not delicious however. A little olive oil on the crostini, then toast, then add a thin slice of brie cheese. Top these crostinis with whole cranberries, walnuts, and orange zest. A PERFECT holiday meal starter.

Jay Franiak
Jay Franiak
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I don't want to give away all the secrets we learned in the class, mostly because you NEED to experience one of these classes.

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I did realize my dream of making fresh, homemade pasta. I had been intimidated about making my own pasta, and actually have heard horror stories from people who have attempted to make the food. Chef Danielle made this experience relaxing and far from intimidating. I FINALLY made pasta, and It was everything I wanted it to be.

Do me a favor and follow Chef Danielle, and shoot her a like here.

The cooking classes at the Broome County Regional Farmer's Market sell out QUICK. Find all the classes offered here.

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