Thanksgiving 101

Is the thought of hosting Thanksgiving dinner causing a few preholiday heart palpitations? Relax: Draeger’s Blackhawk Cooking School offers several Thanksgiving-related classes to save you (and your family) from overcooked turkey, canned cranberry sauce, and packaged stuffing.

If you’re new to Thanksgiving preparations, try the Thanksgiving 101 course, which shows you how to make traditional stuffing, create gravy from scratch, and even carve a turkey. Short on time? Try Fast and Easy Thanksgiving, the demo class taught by award-winning cooking teacher and cookbook author Rick Rodgers. It offers gourmet spins on classics, such as spice-rubbed turkey with honey-chili glaze, and rum-raisin cranberry sauce.
 

If your ideal cooking experience involves relaxing with your guests, opt for Do-Ahead Thanksgiving Dinner, a demo class taught by cookbook author Diane Phillips. She presents some twists on traditional fare—such as triple mushroom soup with brie, parmesan-crusted creamed corn, and sweet potato–apple gratin—that you can prepare before the doorbell rings. Draeger’s also offers courses on holiday appetizers and desserts.
Although these classes can’t help you with Grandpa Bill’s snoring or nephew Ethan’s tantrums, they can make your Thanksgiving a delicious success. You might even want to host again next year.
 

For information and to register, go to www.draegerscookingschool.com. Similar classes are also available at Pans on Fire in Pleasanton (www.pansonfire.com) and Viking Home Chef in Walnut Creek (www.vikingcookingschool.com).