The Wichita Chapter of the American Institute of Food & Wine
Presents

Learning about what we Eat!
Four Fun & Educational Classes August through November

Page Down to see each individual event

Let’s take a class or four! Something new to AIWF-Wichita: four cooking/educational classes about a very important part of the AIWF mission: What we eat. Starting Aug. 15, you’ll have the opportunity to learn — monthly — about tea, cheese and organic food, Balsamic vinegars and Extra Virgin olive oils, and chocolate. For one low price, $80, you can sign up for all four and insure a seat -- at a Membership discount. Attended separately, each class will cost $25 for members and $35 for non-members. (Non-members can take all four classes for $120.) Read on for more details and sign up early, attendance is limited at all venues.

August 15 • 7-9 p.m.
“Tasting Tea with Bob Boewe”
The Spice Merchant • 1308 E. Douglas

Bob Boewe, tea monger and coffee merchant will present a tea tasting and seminar. According to international tea expert and author Jane Pettigrew, “Tea is an international drink with a variety to suit every palate. With its colorful past and fascinating traditions, tea offers not only a healthy, invigorating drink but also a journey through history. And Bob is the perfect person to tell us about it.  Participants will learn the right way to brew tea as well as sample 14-16 teas including oolong, green and black teas. They will also receive a tea cup and pot in a presentation box as part of the tasting. Bob asks that participants refrain from wearing perfume or aftershave and no smoking. Pettigrew’s book, "The New Tea Companion,”  will be available at a reduced price and Bob invites participants to stay and shop The Spice Merchant with a discount on the night.

Some photos from this great educational tea tasting...thanks Bob!

September 12 • 7-9 p.m.
“A Visit to the Market”
GreenAcres Market • Bradley Fair

Don Middaugh, Manager, Specialty Foods at GreenAcres Market, will be presenting a seminar and tasting of a variety of cheeses from around the world and offer advice on wine matches with each cheese. Healthy crackers from New Zealand will be served with the cheese and as well as wonderful fresh grapes and berries. In addition, participants will be able to stroll the cheese cabinet and produce area as well as visit the outdoor market and shop the store with an available discount on the evening. As one of the premier health food stores in the area, GreenAcres has a well-deserved reputation for providing great food in their deli, quality produce and meats and outstanding service thanks to experts such as Don.

October 10 • 7-9 p.m.
“Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar”
Williams Sonoma • Bradley Fair

Join Williams Sonoma Culinary Expert Natasha Gandhi-Rue as she presents a seminar and tasting of the many different types of Balsamic vinegars and extra virgin olive oils and creative ways to use them! Vinegar and oil these days is not just for salad. Imagine the richness of strawberries macerated in Balsamic vinegar and poured over ice cream. Yummy! Participants will get to taste varieties of olive oil and vinegar from around the world as well as sample the strawberries and grilled peaches with Balsamic and Bleu Cheese.  As a graduate of the French Culinary Institute of NYC and longtime member of the Williams Sonoma staff, Natasha will offer her insights into the use of the oils and vinegar as well as provide participants with recipes and a 10 percent discount on the night.

November 14 • 7-9 p.m.
“A Chocolate Affair”
Cocoa Dolce • 7730 E. 37th St. North

Master Chocolatier Beth Tully of Cocoa Dolce, will offer participants the chance to taste chocolate by region, something most of us associate only with wine. We’ll try 8-10 different chocolates, divided by percentage of cocoa solids, growing region and bean origin.  Beth, who sells gourmet, hand-crafted artisan chocolates, specialty coffees and more, will discuss how to taste chocolate and outline the key components to a chocolate tasting. Everyone will have a scorecard and purchasing information about the chocolates to keep as the holiday baking season gets into full swing. Look for a surprise at the end of this delicious class!