Valentines Day Gift Idea Caribbean Cruise Series Cooking Classes at Jones Family Farm

If you are looking for a memorable gift for Valentine's Day, and can't afford a cruise to the islands, consider the next best thing, the  Caribbean Cruise series of cooking classes being offered by Jones Family Farm in Shelton!

Jones Family Farm located on 606 Walnut Hill Road in Shelton is a popular vineyard as well as a pick your own  and Christmas tree farm.  In keeping with the farm to table movement, Jones Family Farm has been offering cooking classes over the past few years that are limited to just 12 lucky participants.

To kick off 2016, Jones Family Farms is offering a Caribbean Cruise Series of cooking classes that will take place in April and May.  Registration for the classes begins on February 2, 2016 and each class offered is $90 and runs from 12 noon to 3 p.m. Participants will receive an apron to take home as well as recipes.  Classes fill up quickly, so if you want to go on a cruise, sign up soon by visiting the website.

The concept for these classes are to explore the "pepper pot" of various island cuisines. Jones Family Farm's instructor will highlight the local food specialties that evolved from their heritage countries of influence.

The first "cruise" is Celebrating Passover in Curacao on April 23, 2016. Participants will make Charoset Balls, Fried Red Snapper, Hot Cucumber and Radish Salad, Baked Plantains, Stuffed Dates, and Panlevi Cookies.

Next, in the series is the beautiful island of Jamica on April 30. Pumpkin Soup, Curried Lamb with Mango Chutney, Coconut Rice and Peas, and Duckunoo (Sweet Potato Dessert) are on the menu.

The French Island of Martinque is the next island on the cooking cruise that takes place May 7. Participants will learn how to make such specialties as: Hearts of Palm Vinaigrette, Callaloo with Crab, Sautéed Corn & Snow Peas, and Beignets de Banane.

The final stop in the cruise series is the island of Cuba on May 14.  Specialties on this menu includes: Pollo con Pina (Chicken with Pineapple), Moros y Cristianos (Beans & Rice), Roast Calabaza, and Coconut Flan.

Please note that the the menu items above are tentative, and subject to change based on what's seasonally available! For more area information on where to go and what to see and do visit http://www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Whizzing Wonders in New Milford & Cooking Class at the Silo

The New Milford Chamber of Commerce is once again hosting a special railroad display that provides special fun for families this year in  the Litchfield Hills community of New Milford where visitors will find a  lavish display of working model trains.

The 27th Annual Hands On Train Display will again transform the waiting room of New Milford's restored vintage train station. Four big layouts covering almost 100 feet of track will traverse a Lilliputian landscape of hills, valleys and villages.

Here, visitors are invited actually to take the controls, starting and stopping the action and operating signals and lights. The trains operate daily from noon to 4 p.m. December 22 to 28. This yearly free event is sponsored by the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce, 860-354-6080, www.newmilford-chamber.org.  The display is closed Christmas Day.  

While in New Milford, don't miss a visit to Hunt Hill Farm Trust where you will find a 50 foot Christmas Tree beautifully decorated in the gallery.  In addition to crafts and artwork, the Silo at Hunt Hill Farm offers a series of cooking classes. On Saturday, December 27, just in time for New Years, the Silo is offering a Champagne and Tapas class at 6:30 p.m.  This full participation class with Chef Jessie Riley and Kathryn Gordon will feature a full menu of tapas plus a sampling of sparkling wines and champagne.  To sign up for the calls visit http://www.hunthillfarmtrust.org/index.php?/silo/cooking#December

For area information on Litchfield Hills visit www.litchfieldhills.com

Silo Kid’s and Teens Vacation Day and Valentine’s Day Classes

If you’re looking for an activity for your child on school vacation days – or for Valentine’s Day, The Silo has cooking classes for you.

Located at historic Hunt Hill Farm, 44 Upland Road, New Milford, The Silo Cooking School will hold vacation day classes on Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 20 and Presidents’ Day, Monday February 17. 

On January 20, two classes will be held.  The first, “Young Chefs Winter Warm Up” for children ages 6 to 10, will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by “Teens and Tweens Winter Warm Up” from  2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

On February 17, President’s Day, “Young Chefs Cook Presidential” will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for ages 6 to 10, and “Tweens and Teens: Hail to the Chief” will run from 2:3 to 5:30 p.m.

In addition, “Valentine’s Sweets for the Sweet,” a three-hour class for children ages 5 to 11 will cover the basics from homemade cookies to candies, coming up hearts!

Classes are taught by Nancy Stuart, Silo Cooking School assistant director and are full-participation.  Students will learn basic skills such as kitchen safety, proper food handling, food preparation, cooking and baking techniques.  Class cost is $45 or $50 per student, depending on class chosen.

 The Cooking School is part of the Smithsonian Institution affiliated Hunt Hill Farm Trust, a non-profit organization.  Hunt Hill Farm Trust is a vibrant and unique regional resource, offering the public the opportunity to explore music, art, cuisine, crafts and literature in a setting of historic farm buildings and permanently protected open space.

Hunt Hill Farm also includes The Silo Gallery, The Skitch Henderson Museum, and The Silo Store, which sells cookbooks, giftware, tabletop, foods and kitchen items. 

For more information and to register for classes and events, call (860) 355-0300 or visit www.hunthillfarmtrust.org.  Registration is also available at The Silo during regular business hours.  The Silo Gallery and store are open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.