Blair House Inn is ready to present the 2016 cooking school schedule. Next year will be full of great eats in the Texas hill country. Chef Chris Huffman has returned to the kitchen and is ready to work hands on with cooking school guests to teach the best techniques and delicious recipes.

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. The 2016 cooking school schedule also features a new class: Spanish Cuisine. Learn the rich history of Spanish influence on world cuisine. Chef Chris has put together an excellent selection of dishes to highlight the flavors and variety of ingredients used in Spanish style cooking.

Take a look at the 2016 cooking school schedule. Find a class that is just right for you. We hope to see full classes and full bellies at Blair House Inn.

 
January 11-13: 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.

February 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.

February 15-17: 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 7-9: 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.

March 21-23: 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 4-6: Mediterranean Cuisine – If you can’t make it to the Mediterranean this summer, let 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.

April 18-20: Spanish Cuisine – New for 2016, 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 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.

May 23-25: 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.

June 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.

June 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.

July 11-13: 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.

July 25-27: Mediterranean Cuisine – If you can’t make it to the Mediterranean this summer, let 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.

August 8-10: 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 22-24: Spanish Cuisine – New for 2016, 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 5-7: 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 19-21: 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 3-5: Oktoberfest German Cuisine – The Texas Hill Country has a long tradition of German culinary influences. Spend 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 17-19: 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 14-16: 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 28-30: 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 12-14: 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!