Dinner On The Porch Cooking Classes

Learn to cook elegant but casual dinners perfect for a memorable summer evening with friends and family on the cottage porch

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Two Different Sets of Classes to Choose from in 2011:   Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts Cooking Classes and Dinner Classes taught in private homes in the area!  Both sets are listed below.

Culinary Classes in the Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts:
As head of the Culinary Program for the new Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts (formerly the old U.S. Coast Guard Station in Frankfort, Michigan), Chef Jim is not only teaching classes, he's bringing in visiting chefs to teach as well.  The following classes are scheduled for the new teaching kitchen in the Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center.  To enroll in any of these classes, please contact the Crystal Lake Art Center at 231-352-4151.  There are two prices listed:  art center member price/non-member price.
  • Hors d’oeuvres taught by Chef Jim Voltz on Thursday July 28, 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  $50/$60               Chef Jim Voltz demonstrates five hors d’oeuvre recipes from his latest cookbook, Hors d’oeuvres OnThe Porch.  During the class, students will be able to sample all the recipes along with the recommended wines.  Students will leave the class with copies of the five recipes, techniques for improving their cooking at home, and lots of tips for entertaining.  
  • One Dish Meals taught by Chef Jim Voltz on Tuesday, August 2 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  $50/$60         Chef Jim Voltz demonstrates two hearty dishes, a salad, and a dessert that make an easy meal for a small group or a large crowd.  During the class, students will be able to sample all the recipes along with the recommended wines.  Students will leave the class with copies of the four recipes, techniques for improving their cooking at home, and lots of tips for entertaining.  (This class is repeated on August 23.)
  •  Wine Tasting taught by Jeff Barbour on Thursday, August 18th  6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  $65/$75             Jeff Barbour is the owner of one of the leading wine stores in Connecticut, New Canaan Wine Merchants.  He also holds the prestigious title of Master of Wine issued by the Masters of Wine Institute in the United Kingdom; considered one of the highest standards of professional knowledge in the wine industry.  Students will have the chance to sample six different wines as Jeff explains the differences in the grapes, growing regions, processing, and food pairings.  Hors d’ouevres specifically selected to pair well with the wines will be provided by Chef Jim Voltz from his latest cookbook, Hors d’oeuvres On The Porch. Whether you consider yourself a wine connoisseur or don’t know the difference between a red and a white, there’s something to learn here.  All proceeds from this class will go to the Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts building fund.  
  • One Dish Meals taught by Chef Jim Voltz on Tuesday August 23, 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  $50/$60         Chef Jim Voltz demonstrates two hearty dishes, a salad, and a dessert that make an easy meal for a small group or a large crowd.  During the class, students will be able to sample all the recipes along with the recommended wines.  Students will leave the class with copies of the four recipes, techniques for improving their cooking at home, and lots of tips for entertaining. (This is a repeat of the August 2nd class.)
  • Fall Bounty taught by Chef Jim Voltz on Thursday September 8, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  $50/$60   Need some new ideas on how to make the most of the wonderful fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish available in Northwest Michigan in the Fall?  Chef Jim Voltz will demonstrate several dishes using ingredients straight from local farm stands and local fishermen.  During the class, students will be able to sample all the recipes along with the recommended wines.  Students will leave the class with copies of all the recipes, techniques for improving their cooking at home, and lots of tips for entertaining.  Don’t miss this chance for learning new techniques for preparing some of your Fall favorites. (This class is repeated on September 28)
  • Secrets Of A French Chef taught by Chef Keil Moshier, Monday September 19, 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.  $50/$60 Learn some of the secrets to successful French cooking as Chef Keil Moshier demonstrates several dishes served in his delightful and highly rated French Bistro, Chez Peres, in Traverse City.
  • Fall Bounty taught by Chef Jim Voltz on Wednesday September 28, 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  $50/$60     Need some new ideas on how to make the most of the wonderful fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish available in Northwest Michigan in the Fall?  Chef Jim Voltz will be demonstrating several dishes using ingredients straight from local farm stands and local fishermen.  During the class, students will be able to sample all the recipes along with the recommended wines.  Students will leave the class with copies of all the recipes, techniques for improving their cooking at home, and lots of tips for entertaining.  Don’t miss this chance for learning new techniques for preparing some of your Fall favorites.  (Sorry, this class has been canceled)
  • Hors d’oeuvres taught by Chef Jim Voltz on Tuesday, October 4 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. $50/$60    Chef Jim Voltz demonstrates five hors d’oeuvre recipes from his latest cookbook, “Hors d’oeuvres on the Porch.”  During the class, students will be able to sample all the recipes along with the recommended wines.  Students will leave the class with copies of the five recipes, techniques for improving their cooking at home, and lots of tips for entertaining.  THIS CLASS IS BEING HELD IN SALLY BERLIN'S SUITE ABOVE CRYSTAL CRATE AND CARGO IN DOWNTOWN BEULAH
  • What’s For Dinner? taught by Chef Jim Voltz on Thursday October 13, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  $85/$95       In this class, Chef Jim Voltz demonstrates a complete and elegant dinner menu starting with an appetizer, a main course with side dishes, and a dessert.  After the demonstration, students will enjoy a sit down dinner of the prepared dishes along with the recommended wines.  Students will leave the class with copies of all the recipes, techniques for improving their cooking at home, and lots of tips for putting together an elegant dinner party.  (Sorry, this class has been canceled)

Dinner Classes Being Taught in Private Homes Near Frankfort

In addition to the Art Center culinary program, Chef Jim will be teaching a complete dinner class one evening a month beginning in June 2011 at private homes in the Frankfort area.  The menus for these dinner classes have not been finalized yet but the schedule has been set and is listed below.   All classes will start at 6p.m., run approximately 2.5/3.0 hours, and consist of cooking demonstrations followed by a full three course, sit-down dinner of the prepared dishes accompanied by the recommended wines.  Students will go home with detailed recipes and plenty of tips for successful entertaining.  The price of the class is $85 per student (payment is due at the time of the class, cash or checks only please).  Interested students may enroll  in one or all of these dinner sessions and reserve their seat by going to the "Enroll/Contact Us" page on this website and filling out the form. 

  • Dinner #1:  Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. in Sally Berlin's Suite above Crystal Crate and Cargo in Beulah, Michigan.  (This class is full.  If you enroll you will be put on the waitlist and contacted if there is a cancellation.)
  • Dinner #2:  Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. in the home of Jim Beck located on the Congregational Summer Assembly near Frankfort.  (Sorry, this class is full, wait list only)
  • Dinner #3:  Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. in the home of Laurie Johnson located on the Congregational Summer Assembly near Frankfort (Two Seats have become available!!)
  • Dinner #4:  Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. in the home of Betsie Hosick on Crystal Lake (Please note this is a change from Betsie's home on Lake Michigan where we conducted all of our 2009 and 2010 classes).  (Two Seats have become available!!)

We've teamed up with the Crystal Lake Art Center!  For more information on the Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts and the classes being taught there, please visit their website by clicking on the logo to the left.