At the Southern table

Greenville Charleston Cooks! is serving up some down home Southern lovin’ with their new demonstration class, Our Southern Kitchen. I got a sneak peek this week and sat right down at the Southern table while Store Manager and Chief Culinary Instructor Chef Mark Pollard whipped up a three course lunch.

Between teaching us the ins and outs of a good Southern pie crust (cold butter and cold milk are a must) and how to draw liquid out of those juicy summer heirloom tomatoes (you use salt, by the way), we talked about what it means to be Southern. I am a born and bred Southern girl. My grandmother used to fry up our Sunday lunch in her big iron skillet and left the leftovers in the warm oven so we could go back for more all day long. I was raised on sweet tea, fried chicken and ketchup. Sliced tomatoes were the Sunday table centerpiece. But even a born and bred Southern girl learned a thing or two in this class!

The class is part social studies lesson, part cooking instruction and definitely 100% fun. Chef knows how to entertain a crowd and break down recipes so their easily reproduced at home. The class is a perfect introduction for those new to Southern cuisine, as well as for those that know their way around a good ole South Carolina kitchen.

The class is idea for foodies and a sensational opportunity for out of town visitors to get a taste of Greenville. Beginning August 14th, Our Southern Kitchen will be offered at Charleston Cooks! every Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoon at 1:00 pm. The cost is $25 and includes a three course lunch, glass of wine, and sweet tea AND you get to take home copies of the recipes.

Reservations are required and can be made in the store or by calling 864-335-2000. You can also make it happen online at www.charlestoncooks/greenville/classes.