Blair House Inn is ready to present the 2017 cooking school schedule. Chef Chris Huffman has put together an excellent selection classes to highlight the flavors and variety of ingredients used around the world. Do you want to learn how to prepare a classic Italian or French meal for friends and relatives? We have got you covered. Want to blow away everyone with mouthwatering BBQ? Summer BBQ camp will turn you into a grill master. Don’t forget about the Holiday class at the end of the year. Spend some time learning to make the perfect holiday meal with us. Give us a call today to reserve your spot at Blair House Inn.

January 9-11: Classic French – Learn the art of haute cuisine. Create exciting fare such as Shrimp Scampi, French Onion Soup, Coq au Vin, Steak au Poivre, and Beef Bourguignon. Learn the art of roasting canard (duck) served with an orange sauce. Prepare delectable desserts like Chocolate Torte with Raspberry Coulis and Crème Caramel. Chef Chris will teach you basic French techniques that you can apply to all of your home cooking.

2017 Cooking School Schedule

January 23-25: Sauces 101 – This class has no shortage of flavor! Enjoy learning dishes with a common main ingredient and tasting the dramatic different flavors sauces will bring. Start by learning the Five French Mother sauces: Béchamel, Veloute’, Classic Tomato Sauce, Hollandaise, and Espagnole. You will also make Vinaigrettes, Mayonnaise, and flavored oils. Don’t forget the dessert sauces, Caramel, Fruit Coulis, Crème Anglaise and Syrups. Pack your friends and families taste buds with maximum flavor.

February 6-8: Italian Cuisine – Come enjoy the taste of Italy as you prepare classic dishes such as Osso Buco Milanese, Roasted Red Pepper Risotto with Pine Nuts, and Italian Espresso Tiramisu. You’ll learn traditional Italian sauces such as Fresh Basil Marinara, and Roasted Garlic Alfredo, and how to make the fresh pasta and potato gnocchi.

February 20-22: Country French – Chef Chris will teach you basic French techniques that you can apply to all of your home cooking. In the process, learn how to make dishes like Steak Diane, Poulet Wellington, Raspberry Tarts, and Chocolate Crème Bruleé. Plus Sauces Francais 101! Never again feel like recipes are written in a foreign language!

March 6-8: Mediterranean Cuisine – If you can’t make it to the Mediterranean this summer, let the Blair House take you on a culinary tour of the region from the Strait of Gibraltar to Cypress with plenty of tasty stops along the way! You will prepare Risotto, Hummus Pita Bread, Pasta, Fruits de Mer, Calamari, Baklava, Classic Greek Salad, Focaccia, Polenta and Crema Catalana. These are just a sampling of what you have to look forward to on your journey.

March 20-22: BBQ Camp – Summer in Texas means BBQ. You’ll be the envy of your friends and family once you learn the secrets to preparing wonderful meals on the grill. Try your hand at Cedar Planked Wild King Salmon with Jerk Spice and Mango Salsa, St. Louis Style Baby Back Ribs with Cherry Coke Glaze, Chicken Fajitas, Texas Brisket, and Fredericksburg Peach Cobbler with Home-made Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

April 3-5: Classic French – Learn the art of haute cuisine. Create exciting fare such as Shrimp Scampi, French Onion Soup, Coq au Vin, Steak au Poivre, and Beef Bourguignon. Learn the art of roasting canard (duck) served with an orange sauce. Prepare delectable desserts like Chocolate Torte with Raspberry Coulis and Crème Caramel. Chef Chris will teach you basic French techniques that you can apply to all of your home cooking.

April 17-19: Spanish Cuisine – This class will teach the technique and history of Spanish cuisine. Traditional favorites like paella and arroz con pollo will serve as a backbone for the flavors that make up Spanish style cooking. Enjoy potato and chorizo trinxat, tortilla espanola, salmorejo, and a traditional favorite- cocido, a stew made with chicken, pork, chick peas, vegetables, and smoked paprika. Discover the influence and taste of Spanish cuisine around the world.

May 1-3 : Taste Of New Orleans – Spend 3 days & 2 nights in the beautiful Texas Hill Country while learning a variety of New Orleans cooking skills. This class will focus on the two main cuisines in and around New Orleans – Creole and Cajun – and will deliciously reflect their mix of Spanish, African, and French heritages. You will learn to prepare dishes such as award winning Gumbo, Blackened Snapper, Cajun Barbequed Shrimp, Louisiana Brined Roasted Loin of Pork, King Cake and the classic Beignet.

May 15-17: Oktoberfest German Cuisine – The Texas Hill Country has a long tradition of German culinary influences. Experience Oktoberfest with Blair House Inn and learn some classic dishes, such as, German Pot Roast known as Sauerbraten, Pork Schnitzel, Bratwurst with Sauerkraut and Potato Pancakes, and Braised Red Cabbage. End your meal with rich German Black Forest Cake and Apple Strudel for dessert. I’m sure we will find some room for a German beer or two. Prost!

May 29-31: BBQ with Fresh Herbs – Learn the secret of preparing tasty dishes by incorporating fresh herbs into your cooking. Using herbs that you harvest straight from the Blair House Herb Garden, you will be amazed by the difference these little seasoning gems can make as you prepare Garden-Fresh Carrot Soup with Mint Chiffonade & Edible Flowers, Maple & Herb Brined Pork Roast with Sauce Moutardé, Herb infused Oils, Cilantro Pesto, Jalapeno Mint Sorbet, and French Lemon Basil Cream Sauce. Plus learn to create your own signature vinaigrette!

June 5-7: Italian Cuisine – Come enjoy the taste of Italy as you prepare classic dishes such as Osso Buco Milanese, Roasted Red Pepper Risotto with Pine Nuts, and Italian Espresso Tiramisu. You’ll learn traditional Italian sauces such as Fresh Basil Marinara, and Roasted Garlic Alfredo, and how to make the fresh pasta and potato gnocchi.

June 19-21: BBQ Camp – Summer in Texas means BBQ. You’ll be the envy of your friends and family once you learn the secrets to preparing wonderful meals on the grill. Try your hand at Cedar Planked Wild King Salmon with Jerk Spice and Mango Salsa, St. Louis Style Baby Back Ribs with Cherry Coke Glaze, Chicken Fajitas, Texas Brisket, and Fredericksburg Peach Cobbler with Home-made Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

July 3-5: Mediterranean Cuisine – If you can’t make it to the Mediterranean this summer, let the Blair House take you on a culinary tour of the region from the Strait of Gibraltar to Cypress with plenty of tasty stops along the way! You will prepare Risotto, Hummus Pita Bread, Pasta, Fruits de Mer, Calamari, Baklava, Classic Greek Salad, Focaccia, Polenta and Crema Catalana. These are just a sampling of what you have to look forward to on your journey.

July 17-19: Classic French, Celebrate Bastille Day– Learn the art of haute cuisine. Create exciting fare such as Shrimp Scampi, French Onion Soup, Coq au Vin, Steak au Poivre, and Beef Bourguignon. Learn the art of roasting canard (duck) served with an orange sauce. Prepare delectable desserts like Chocolate Torte with Raspberry Coulis and Crème Caramel. Chef Chris will teach you basic French techniques that you can apply to all of your home cooking.

August 7-9: BBQ Camp – Summer in Texas means BBQ. You’ll be the envy of your friends and family once you learn the secrets to preparing wonderful meals on the grill. Try your hand at Cedar Planked Wild King Salmon with Jerk Spice and Mango Salsa, St. Louis Style Baby Back Ribs with Cherry Coke Glaze, Chicken Fajitas, Texas Brisket, and Fredericksburg Peach Cobbler with Home-made Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

August 21-23: Spanish Cuisine – This class will teach the technique and history of Spanish cuisine. Traditional favorites like paella and arroz con pollo will serve as a backbone for the flavors that make up Spanish style cooking. Enjoy potato and chorizo trinxat, tortilla espanola, salmorejo, and a traditional favorite- cocido, a stew made with chicken, pork, chick peas, vegetables, and smoked paprika. Discover the influence and taste of Spanish cuisine around the world.

September 4-6: BBQ Camp – Summer in Texas means BBQ. You’ll be the envy of your friends and family once you learn the secrets to preparing wonderful meals on the grill. Try your hand at Cedar Planked Wild King Salmon with Jerk Spice and Mango Salsa, St. Louis Style Baby Back Ribs with Cherry Coke Glaze, Chicken Fajitas, Texas Brisket, and Fredericksburg Peach Cobbler with Home-made Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

September 18-20: Taste Of New Orleans – Spend 3 days & 2 nights in the beautiful Texas Hill Country while learning a variety of New Orleans cooking skills. This class will focus on the two main cuisines in and around New Orleans – Creole and Cajun – and will deliciously reflect their mix of Spanish, African, and French heritages. You will learn to prepare dishes such as award winning Gumbo, Blackened Snapper, Cajun Barbequed Shrimp, Louisiana Brined Roasted Loin of Pork, King Cake and the classic Beignet.

October 2-4: Italian Cuisine – Come enjoy the taste of Italy as you prepare classic dishes such as Osso Buco Milanese, Roasted Red Pepper Risotto with Pine Nuts, and Italian Espresso Tiramisu. You’ll learn traditional Italian sauces such as Fresh Basil Marinara, and Roasted Garlic Alfredo, and how to make the fresh pasta and potato gnocchi.

October 16-18: Oktoberfest German Cuisine – The Texas Hill Country has a long tradition of German culinary influences. Experience Oktoberfest with Blair House Inn and learn some classic dishes, such as, German Pot Roast known as Sauerbraten, Pork Schnitzel, Bratwurst with Sauerkraut and Potato Pancakes, and Braised Red Cabbage. End your meal with rich German Black Forest Cake and Apple Strudel for dessert. I’m sure we will find some room for a German beer or two. Prost!

October 30 – November 1: Classic French – Learn the art of haute cuisine. Create exciting fare such as Shrimp Scampi, French Onion Soup, Coq au Vin, Steak au Poivre, and Beef Bourguignon. Learn the art of roasting canard (duck) served with an orange sauce. Prepare delectable desserts like Chocolate Torte with Raspberry Coulis and Crème Caramel. Chef Chris will teach you basic French techniques that you can apply to all of your home cooking.

November 13-15: BBQ Camp – Summer in Texas means BBQ. You’ll be the envy of your friends and family once you learn the secrets to preparing wonderful meals on the grill. Try your hand at Cedar Planked Wild King Salmon with Jerk Spice and Mango Salsa, St. Louis Style Baby Back Ribs with Cherry Coke Glaze, Chicken Fajitas, Texas Brisket, and Fredericksburg Peach Cobbler with Home-made Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

November 27-29: Hill Country Holiday Feast & Baking – Get in the mood of the Holidays. Learn a variety of ways to cook turkey and side dishes. Make holiday dishes such as Mesquite Smoked Turkey, Chocolate Truffles, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Ginger Cookies, Classic Pecan Pie, Sweet Potato Bruleé, Pecan and Sage Cornbread Dressing, and Sausage Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry Port Glaze! Make this holiday traditional, but with a twist!

December 11-13: Hill Country Holiday Feast & Baking – Get in the mood of the Holidays. Learn a variety of ways to cook turkey and side dishes. Make holiday dishes such as Mesquite Smoked Turkey, Chocolate Truffles, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Ginger Cookies, Classic Pecan Pie, Sweet Potato Bruleé, Pecan and Sage Cornbread Dressing, and Sausage Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry Port Glaze! Make this holiday traditional, but with a twist!