Star Struck

John, Sue, Joanne Weir and I after our great class!

Pineapple Carpaccio with Prawn and Pepper Salad

Gaining inspiration from Joanne Weir.

Crunchy Cormeal and Tomato Galette

Syrian Bread Salad with Mint, Peppers and Tomatoes

A new use for Dad's smoked trout....Smoked Trout and Tequila Quesadillas with Summer Tomato Salsa

Chorizo Handpies

Risotto Croquettes with Mozzarella

Coco Loco Tequila Cupcakes

Cheers, Sue!

It doesn't often happen that a home cook/caterer gets a chance to mix it up in the kitchen with a REAL chef. And it is even more rare for that chef to be a James Beard Award-winning cookbook author too. But I did it!!!! I got to cook, talk, and have my cookbooks signed by Joanne Weir! I even have photos to prove it! Joanne (yes, I feel like I can call her by her first name) has written 17 cookbooks including the companion cookbook to her "Cooking Class" series, Wine Country Cooking, and her newest book Tequila.

On Friday, June 4th, Joanne was the guest chef at the Nothing To It Culinary Center in Reno where I attended her "Small Bites for Summer" class with my two friends, Sue and John. The evening was filled with Joanne's witty teaching style, great recipes, amazing food, good wine, and great company. The night was also sponsored by Le Creuset and each class member walked away with a new chef's pan. I took along one of Joanne's cookbooks I already had called From Tapas to Meze to have her sign and purchased another called You Say Tomato to use this summer for all of the wonderful tomatoes I expect to be receiving soon in our CSA Harvest boxes.
I have attended several classes at Nothing To It (www.nothingtoit.com) including classes on Crepes, Thai Cooking, and Crockpot Cooking, and I have always walked away with tons of enthusiasm about trying new recipes but the evening with Joanne Weir topped them all so far!