HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE – In the tradition of food network, fine dining and culinary awareness, Hardester’s Markets announces the planned opening of a culinary classroom in response to the growing interest in culinary awareness in Lake County's wine growing region of California.

“Culinary awareness is hard to ignore. Thanks to Food Network and home chefs becoming more interested in ingredients and techniques, culinary classes are hot,” said Duane Harper of Hardester’s Markets.

Hardester’s has teamed up with Chic Le Chef Inc., a private chef and specialty caterer, to provide culinary classes in a center scheduled to open Sept. 1, adjacent to their Hidden Valley market.

“We’ve been feeling the pressure to expand our gourmet and specialty food lines for some time, and this concept works nicely into the overall plan,” said Ross Hardester. “We’ve already done some pilot classes in our Middletown and Hidden Valley markets and the response has been very positive. We are planning additional specialty classes to continue at our various markets until the permanent classroom opens in September.”

Julie Hoskins of Chic Le Chef Inc. explained that “exploring the more readily available global foods has become the adventure of the day.” Her vision of the culinary center is that there will be “something for everyone.”

Classes will cover techniques and information from ingredients to wine and food pairings. Healthy eating classes, guest chef instructors and interactive kids’ classes are all a part of this culinary vision.

“The popular theme of the film ‘Ratatouille’ was that ‘anyone can cook.’ What we want to do is provide people with the awareness, techniques and confidence to cook what they like,” said Hoskins.

Class schedules and online signup are available on the web at www.chiclechef.com.

For more information visit the Web site or call 355-0174.

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