Kitchen Conservatory is a cooking school with a kitchen store, because some tools have to be seen in action before buying. Every time we demonstrate the Cameron Stovetop Smoker and people taste how delicious the lightly smoked food is, we sell smokers. Plus, the smoker is easy to use (especially when the outside grill is […]

Inspiration can strike different people at the same time — like Newton and Leibniz discovering calculus at the same time. Two of our longtime cooking instructors, Christie Maggi and Kirk Warner, started making potato-wrapped shrimp, and neither remembers who did it first! This shrimp is one of our favorite party appetizers. Get the recipe here […]

Guacamole is now a typical American food and served at most parties. What makes one guacamole any better than other? This recipe contains an unusual addition: smoky and spicy fresh poblano peppers. Chef Dave Rook, whose creative skills were on display in the kitchens of Crazy Fish, Aqua Vin, Copia, and now Oceano restaurants, created […]

What makes one cheesecake better than another? Texture. A good cheesecake has a creamy, luscious custard on top of a buttery crust. Cheesecake never excited me until I met this cheesecake. Get the recipe here. We learned how to make superior cheesecake from pastry chef extraordinaire Marla Scissors, who passed away from ALS at age […]

We all scream for ice cream, but this ice cream is the ultimate crowd favorite. The intense flavor of blackberries makes for a luscious and creamy gelato. Blackberry gelato is Number 25 on our list of the Top Thirty Recipes celebrating the Thirtieth Anniversary of Kitchen Conservatory. Not only is the gelato delicious, but the […]

Our countdown of the Top Thirty Recipes that celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of Kitchen Conservatory continues with the irresistible and decadent Chocolate Salted Caramel Cupcakes. Cupcakes are still the most popular of all of our dessert classes and this special cupcake is memorable. Join Dawn Meyer in making this sinfully good cupcake on Tuesday, March […]

When Mickey Kitterman presented a non-corned beef menu for St. Patrick’s Day, we said, “great.” When we tasted the Irish Whiskey Butter on Guinness Rib-Eye Steaks, we said, “wow.” Don’t wait until March to eat this superb entree! Make extra of the butter sauce just to slather on bread. Adding flavors to butter, known as […]

Everybody knows and loves tomato soup, so what’s special about this recipe? The tomatoes are slow-roasted and the addition of fire-roasted red bell peppers intensifies the tomato flavor. The soup may look unassuming, but take one taste and you will declare it the best tomato soup ever. Celebrate our 30th anniversary with our Top Thirty […]

Our recipe countdown continues with #29: Roasted Asparagus with Salsa Verde. We have never tired of eating this fresh, colorful, and piquant salsa. Originally created by Kirk Warner of Kirk’s Traveling Kitchen, the asparagus salsa is a favorite topping for grilled fish, but the salsa is also delicious on omelets, beef, and chips — or […]

Celebrate the Thirtieth Anniversary of Kitchen Conservatory, which was founded in 1984! We have selected the Top Thirty Recipes from our cooking classes. Watch our countdown of our favorite recipes, which will be available for purchase for a dollar apiece. #30 is Banana Walnut Frangipane Tart, originally created by chef Barry Marcus, who specializes in […]