WALLA WALLA -- Want a little getaway that's not too far, includes some really excellent dining and a few recipes for keepsakes? Head for Walla Walla this month where many of the fine bed and breakfast inns are teaming up with the city's outstanding chefs for Walla Walla Gourmet Getaways 2010.
"This is our third year to team up chefs and other culinary professionals with wineries and bed and breakfast inns," said Michele Rennie of Girasol Vineyard and Inn in Walla Walla. Besides wearing her innkeeper and winery hats, Rennie is also the board chair of Tourism Walla Walla. She's also a member of the Walla Walla Bed and Breakfast Association which organizes the Gourmet Getaways.
The Gourmet Getaways cost $390 for two people and include a two-night stay at one of the eight participating bed and breakfast inns plus a hands-on, chef-led cooking lesson. The classes are intentionally kept small, ranging from eight to 12 people.
Each culinary lesson includes lunch, two glasses of wine from a Walla Walla area winery and a Gourmet Getaways apron to take home.
"Each cooking class showcases a different winery. For those in the class, we (the innkeepers) arrange for a special tasting for them at that winery where they are treated like royalty," Rennie said. "That's all included in the package price."
"Last year we sold more than 50 packages and we expect to exceed that this year," she said. "It's a win, win, win for everyone."
A different set of cooking lessons is available each Saturday through March 27. Whether your culinary tastes lean toward French or Italian cuisine, you want to learn to make flatbreads or perfectly braised short ribs, there's sure to be a cooking class to appeal.
"Everyone knows Walla Walla as a wine destination, however, we are also the home to some great chefs and this program allows them to showcase and share their talent in a small group environment," Rennie said.
To see the complete class schedule and a list of the participating inns, along with contact information, go to www.wwbbia. com and click on "special events & packages."
Or call the inns directly to make a reservation and book a class:
* A Room with a View, 509-529-1194
* Cameo Heights Mansion, 509-394-0211
* Girasol Vineyard & Inn, 509-956-9743
* Green Gables Inn, 509-525-5501
* Inn at Woodhaven Farm 509-529-4746
* The Maxwell House Bed and Breakfast Inn, 866-377-0700
* Fat Duck Inn, 888-526-8718
* Inn at Blackberry Creek, 877-522-5233
One of the culinary classes, run by Damon Burke, co-owner of Salumiere Cesario, a gourmet deli, doesn't require a stay at one of the inns. He'll be teaching his students how to make pasta from scratch and turn it into fantastic cut and filled shapes.
The cost, without a stay at one of the inns, is $45 per person and includes the cooking instruction, lunch, wine and an apron. To register, call 509-529-5620.
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