Valentine’s Day is traditionally a time for couples to enjoy an elegant dinner out or a romantic meal at home. This year, Rocky Top Catering offers the best of both worlds with Couples, Cooking & Cocktails – live cooking classes on Zoom hosted by Chef Dean Ogan, owner of Rocky Top.
A portion of the proceeds from the cooking classes will benefit the nonprofit Lucy Daniels Center, which serves as the largest provider of mental health services in the Triangle for children up to age 11.
Ricotta and herb gnocchi is on the menu for Rocky Top Catering’s cooking class.
Ogan will walk participants step-by-step through making a delicious dinner plus cocktails, all while sharing helpful cooking tips. The menu for the classes includes butter-poached and seared teres major steak, plus ricotta and herb gnocchi with local wild mushrooms, spring onion, asparagus, Carolina Pistou butter sauce, Reggiano cheese, and Heritage Pork lardons.
Couples can choose from one of two sessions: Saturday, Feb. 13, or Sunday, Feb. 14, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
“This has been a stressful year for everyone, but couples still deserve to treat themselves to a safe and unique dining experience on Valentine’s weekend,” said Ogan. “Whether you are an amateur cook or a self-styled gourmet chef, we will do our best to make these classes truly special and memorable for you.”
Rocky Top Catering is offering three packages for the virtual cooking classes, accommodating various budgets and levels of desired accompaniments.
Package 1: Ultimate Virtual Cooking Class with Main Course, Hors d’oeuvres, Cocktail and Dessert – $200
- N.C. Cheese & Charcuterie Box featuring Ashe County cheese, Goat Lady Dairy cheese, Boxcarr handmade cheese, charcuteries from San Giuseppe Salami Company with Lusty Monk mustard, house pickles, Mrs. Ruth’s Jams, and housemade crackers
- Cocktail/Mocktail Kit (Choice of one)
Champagne with Bellini mixers; Bourbon Rouge Cocktail Kit (pint of bourbon, strawberry puree, basil, ginger beer)
Bourbon Rouge Mocktail Kit (bourbon-vanilla soda, strawberry puree, basil, non-alcoholic ginger beer) - Dessert Box featuring petite red velvet cupcakes, turtle truffles, chocolate raspberry macarons, and chocolate-dipped strawberries
- Specially selected and fully prepped ingredients for the main course of butter-poached and pan-seared teres major steak, and ricotta and herb gnocchi
- Access to live class either Saturday or Sunday
Package 2: Virtual Class with Hors d’oeuvres, Cocktail and Dessert – $100
- N.C. Cheese & Charcuterie Box
- Choice of Cocktail/Mocktail Kit
- Dessert Box
- Shopping list for you to purchase your own ingredients for the main course
- Detailed prep instructions to be completed prior to the virtual class
- Access to live class either Saturday or Sunday
Package 3: Virtual Class Only – $50
- Shopping list for you to purchase your own ingredients for the cooking class
- Detailed prep instructions to be completed prior to the virtual class
- Access to live class either Saturday or Sunday
Couples who choose Package 1 or 2 can pick up their ingredients from Feb. 11-14 at one of three locations in North Raleigh, Downtown Raleigh or Cary, or have it delivered anywhere in the Triangle for an additional fee. Those who choose Package 3 will have all the information emailed to them the week of the virtual class.
For more information or to order one of the virtual cooking class packages, visit rockytopcatering.com/valentines-day-cooking/ or call 919-850-2340. For more information on the Lucy Daniels Center, visit lucydanielscenter.org.
