Cucina

As we enter into the summer months when fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers begin to show up in the stores and farmers markets, the recipes below are the perfect way to plan and enjoy a warm weather meal with family and friends. The menu, which comes from The Cucina’s Cooking with Herbs class, is complete with several courses of easy to moderate level recipes, all featuring fresh summer produce.

Buon Appetito! (more…)

You’re going to love what we’re cooking in The Cucina! Our spacious, professional working kitchen is home to a wide variety of cooking classes, and it’s also the launching pad for our new line of gourmet foods available for sale at The Marketplace! (more…)

By Julianna Wilmoth, Director of The Cucina

Chef Vicki Todd Smith has been a culinary educator, caterer, mentor, and chef for more than 35 years. During that time, Chef Vicki spent over a decade in Europe and Asia before returning to the United States in 2000. She has had the honor of cooking for such luminaries as the late Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Anderson Cooper, Ken Burns, and the former Foreign Minister of Japan. Additionally, during her years in Asia she was the caterer of choice for many ambassadors and other members of the diplomatic corps. Upon her return to the United States, she was the seminal chef to develop the food and beverage program at Kent State University’s Stark Conference Center. Subsequently, she became Market Kitchen and Catering Director for Mustard Seed Market in Solon and went on to run corporate dining for Jones Day law firm in Cleveland. At present Vicki works for a privately held conglomerate as the Executive Chef of their corporate lodging and catering operations. (more…)

By Julianna Wilmoth, Director of The Cucina

The instructor-chefs who lead classes in The Cucina are some of the region’s most sought after culinary experts. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be introducing our highly talented instructors who teach, guide and mentor here in The Cucina. Without further ado, meet nationally recognized chef-entrepreneur, Carla Snyder.

After a spending a college semester studying in Spain, Carla discovered just how delicious life could be. She has spent the past 30 years in the food world as a caterer, artisan baker, cooking school teacher, culinary team building company owner, freelance food writer and co-author of numerous cookbooks. Her work has appeared in Bon Appètit, Chili Pepper, Better Homes and Gardens, Family Fun and numerous local and regional magazines and newspapers. (more…)