2008

April: Marcia Meyer, Homemade sauces

May: Ryan Hoke, Mustard

June: Libby Glover, Strawberries and Chocolate

July: Jeni Bauer, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

August: Deneen DeRodes, Peach Preserves and Robin Oatts, phogographer

1. This month we're excited to juxtapose the mediums of culinary art and photography as we explore the theme of preservation! We've invited two seasoned artists to help guide us in our exploration: Deneen DeRodes, a culinary expert on the tasty and time tested art of canning and Robin Oatts, a talented local photographer.
   

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3. First, we'll learn from Robin what photographers look for as they preserve moments on film and then Deneen will tempt our taste buds as she teaches us to preserve one of the crowning achievements of the food world: fresh picked August peaches! To cap things off we'll store up a bit of summer for a wintry day as, cameras in hand, we capture our own images of the evening and take home our own batches of peachy goodness!
   

September: Dara Wiggins, Two for Tea

1. Join us as Dara Wiggins, founder of Columbus' Two for Tea, takes us on a tea-centric journey from Darjeeling to Oolong and back again! Perfect for tea lovers and tea novices, learn the art of blending, brewing, and elegantly serving this timeless drink. An epic tea party Wild Goose Creative style!
   

October: Eric Bean and Frank Barickman, CBUS Brewing Co. and SODZ

1. This October, our Too Many Cooks! culinary event features Eric Bean, brewmaster of the Columbus Brewing Company, and Frank Barickman, president of the Scioto, Olentangy, Darby Zymurgists (aka the SODZ), the local homebrewing club. Eric will lead us in a tasting of some of his own beers and some of his other favorites, while Frank will actually brew a batch of beer at our space. So if you’re an amateur Natty Light drinker or a three-time champion Beer Drinker of the Year, come explore and sample the fine art of craft brewing!
   

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3. This is event is taking place at our new space at 2491 Summit St., just south of Hudson, a couple doors down from Rumba Cafe. If you’ve never been, stop by to check us out! Parking is available on Summit St. and behind our space.
   

November: Meridith Scherer, Southern Thanksgiving Dinner

1. Join us to warm up for Thanksgiving with the dishes you could enjoy in a Southern home.  Meredith will demonstrate some of her favorite time-tested tricks and techniques and treat us to a wide array of sides, desserts, and unmissables.  Cornbread dressing, Senator Russell sweet potatoes, pea casserole, buttermilk pie, turkey with a unique twist, and more...now I'm getting hungry.  Come sample the bounty and get thankful a little bit early this year!
   

December: Abbey Meyer, Cookie Decorating

2009

February: Jennie Scheibach, Pattycake Vegan Bakery

1. Jennie Scheibach is known far and wide for her magical ways around her vegan bakery. Join us as she shares with us some secrets of her bakery, as well as sample some of her delicious cookies, cakes and cupcakes.
   

March: Kevin Malhame, Northstar Cafe

April: Kent Rand, The Hills Market Cheese Tasting

1. Kent Rand, Cheese Director, found The Hills Market in September of 2003, when he responded to an ad looking for delicatessen help in a local paper. What a treat for us, when we found out that not only is he completely charismatic and great with our customers, but he's an actual bona fide Foodie. This man is absolutely passionate about food and wine, and he has an incredible drive to learn more.
   

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3. It wasn't long before we realized that Kent would better be utilized as our Cheese Director. We offered the job and he accepted. His background as the Maître d’ at a French restaurant called La Chardonnay in Texas, and as an associate at a specialty delicatessen in Maine gave him the strengths The Hills Market needed to head up the Cheese Department.
   

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5. Kent has an artistic side, too. There isn't any project that he can't master in a creative way. He's been given the task of creating all of our chalkboard art at Hills, and has managed to organize the cheese case in a beautiful and informative way with signs, flags and descriptions.
   
   He spends some of his time at Hills searching for new fantastic cheeses, both local and international. For those customers who aren’t so familiar with different varieties of cheese, Kent says “don’t be afraid to ask. I’m more than happy to cut off a sample of any cheese you are uncertain about. I want you to love cheese as much as I do.”
   

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7. He is going to feature 4 Ohio made cheeses, and tell us a bit about where they come from and what makes them so great!
   

May: Lisa Dillman, Salt Tasting

1. Lisa Dillman leads us through an unusual tasting of a variety of specialty salts from all over the world!
   

June: Ginger Sexton, BBQ

1. Taste BBQ, get tips on making your own, and enjoy hoedown music!
   

July: Donnie Austin, House Wine

1. Get a good wine tasting foundation with Worthington’s House Wine! Try a series of six wines along with breads and cheeses. Learn new ways to approach wine, whether you are a novice or expert wine aficionado.
   

August: Bacon Mania, Surly Girl Saloon

1. Join kitchen manager Lara Ranallo along with Carmen and Collin and learn what life is like at your favorite local restaurant, Surly Girl Saloon. Bring your appetites and come ready to taste some homemade bacon cupcakes, bacon popcorn and some bacon booze.
   

September: Columbus Foodcast Bloggers Panel Discussion

1. Join Foodbloggers Jim Ellison from CMH Gourmand, Nick Dekker from Breakfast With Nick, Rose Rings from Bitchin’ in the Kitchen, Dave Scarpetti from weber_cam and Dave’s Beer, Bethia Woolf of Hungrywoolf’s Food Blog, and Becke Boyer from Columbus Foodie as they discuss the perks and pitfalls of being a food blogger in Columbus. Come learn and snack on delicious foods made my each blogger to represent their specialty :) Join us for this unique opportunity to have some insight into the Columbus food scene!
   

October: Carl Meyer, Salsa Making

1. From the garden to the table - Carl Meyer will share with us his award-winning salsa recipe and how he grew the ingredients in his garden and turned them into delicious salsa. You will also have a chance to make some fresh salsa to take home!
   

November: Chris Dillman, Sommilier

1. Join us for our November Too Many Cooks as we welcome Chris Dillman, one of Columbus' advanced sommeliers! Chris will lend his expertise in teaching us the basics of tasting wines, and will lead us through a tasting of wines that make great pairings for Thanksgiving dinners. Only $10 at the door for some great wines and conversation.
   

December: AJ Perry of Sasafrass Bakery

1. Join AJ Perry from Sassafras Bakery as she teaches us the ins and outs of Pie Crusts! Come learn just in time for the Holiday season and eat some yummy pie with us as well!
   

2010

February: Chef Laura Robertson-Boyd

1. Join us as Columbus Chef Instructor Laura Robertson-Boyd introduces us to the concept of eating vegetarian. Learn the reasons for choosing a vegetarian diet, and the various types. Find out what to eat to get the necessary nutrients with plenty of delicious samples. You will go away with lots of recipes and references sources as well!