Spice Up Valentine's Day with Romantic Cook-at-Home Dinner Date

SUMMIT, NJ -- Looking for something to do this Valentine’s Day with that someone special, but worried about venturing out during a pandemic? May Fridel, Founder of Passion for Spices™, Summit’s own local cooking school, has a perfect solution - a new home cooking program for area residents, called simply, Cook at Home. Participants in the Passion for Spices new virtual program learn from award-winning area chefs and restaurateurs who provide personalized help throughout the two-hour class. Home cooks work with pre-measured, pre-packaged organic, locally-sourced ingredients prepared for contactless, curb-side pickup (in Summit) so when the Zoom class starts, you’re ready to get cooking with everything you need.

“Passion for Spices Cook at Home program is all about the sheer joy of food - exploring the cuisine of different cultures, learning expert chef tips for success, and experiencing the camaraderie of a shared experience on the culinary journey,” explained Fridel. “Our in-person cooking classes have always emphasized healthy, sustainable food, sourced from local organic farmers, and our home cooking program is designed to allow you to enjoy these same high-quality products in the safety of your own home.”

All of the Cook at Home programs are conducted by award-winning chefs in a fun, interactive format. Passion for Spices kicks off Cook at Home with a truly decadent Valentine’s Day menu, created by Executive Chef Richard Krug of West Orange’s Artisanal French Mediterranean restaurant, Bistro d’Azur, and features Citrus Butter Poached Maine Lobster with Tarragon, Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Yellowfoot Chanterelles and Garam Masala Flavored Demi-Glace, Glazed Moroccan Keralan Curry Spiced Carrots, Haricots Verts and ends with a Chocolate Souffle with Vanilla Ice Cream. Throughout the class, Chef Krug will walk participants through personalized step-by-step instructions, answering questions and offering guidance throughout.

Registration for the Valentine’s Day class is available online at www.passionforspices.com. The course costs $125 per person, which, in addition to the class itself, includes all the locally-sourced ingredients necessary to prepare a meal.

The next Cook at Home class is scheduled for March 20, and will feature award-winning food and travel writer Joanna Pruess, whose 15 cookbooks include Cast Iron Cooking for Two, and will feature a special meal prepared in cast-iron cookware, which has seen a huge resurgence in popularity in recent years.