Chefs from five restaurants all located in Dayton’s historic Oregon District will share their culinary skills in “cook and dine” classes in the 38^th annual AFS (American Field Service) Cooking School. Proceeds from the annual cooking school benefit the Dayton area team of AFS Intercultural Programs’ high school student exchanges. This year a portion of the money raised will go to The Dayton Foundation’s Dayton Oregon District Tragedy Fund.

The 2020 cooking series offers a sampling of the Oregon District’s diverse array of cuisine and dining options. The five cooking classes and dinners will be held from 6:30 to 9:00 pm, Mondays, February 3^rd to March 9th in the Consumer Science room at Centerville High School, 500 E. Franklin St. in Centerville.

The 2020 classes are scheduled as follows:

Chef Liz Valenti

Feb. 3:  Chef Liz Valenti of Wheat Penny Oven and Bar reflects her Italian-American background growing up in Chicago and culinary training in California. The Wheat Penny menu includes a variety of entrees and pizza made with dough containing starter from a 100-year old Italian bakery in Chicago, handmade pastas served in traditional and contemporary styles, flavorful vegetable dishes, cheeses and ice creams made in-house daily.   

Feb. 10:  Chef Margot Blondet of Salar Restaurant is known for the freshest and most natural ingredients, all of which are sourced locally or made fresh, in-house every day. Salar features world fusion cuisine with strong Peruvian, French and Mediterranean influences.

Feb. 24:  Chefs Patrick & Casey Van Voorhis of Grist are newcomers to Dayton. Some of their specialties include signature breads, pasta and dishes with a variety of culinary influences. Casey and Patrick are graduates of the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY and have extensive teaching and fine-dining experience at several Michelin starred restaurants, most recently serving as co-executive chefs at Spoonbar restaurant in Healdsburg, CA.

March 2:  Chef Melissa Deaton of Dublin Pub offering distinguished Gastropub Irish fare, with a fusion of European & American influences. Chef Melissa writes and executes the renowned menus for the Pub’s monthly, four-course, themed dinner events.

March 9:  Chef Jeff Robinson and owner Amy Haverstick of Jay’s Seafood – – the historic, elegant and welcoming Oregon District landmark. Family owned for over 40 years, Jay’s features a wide variety of fresh seafood and steaks prepared with traditional and creative methods as well as house made salad dressings and desserts.

According to volunteer Eileen Baker “the AFS Cooking School’s volunteer staff gratefully appreciates not only the talent and generous participating chefs and restaurateurs, but also the support, cooperation and community spirit of the many fine Oregon District restaurants in helping to organize the 2020 classes.”

All classes combine culinary demonstrations by the chefs with hands-on participation by each student in groups of four with individualized chef supervision. Classes are casual, fun and informative. Each evening’s class includes chef demonstration and class preparation of a 3-course meal.  Chefs and their restaurants provide an amuse bouche as well as all the food for the evening. Each evening concludes with a sit-down dinner that students helped prepare, complete with fresh flowers, colorful table linens and specialty roast coffee. These classes WILL sell out, so reserve quickly! 

The cost is $55 per person, per class. Classes are limited to 20 students. Each evening’s class includes chef demonstration and class preparation of a 3-course meal.

For availability of classes and more information call or text Nell Petry at 937 469-1774 or email her at [email protected]. Classes often fill quickly, however waiting lists are kept for each class in the event of cancellations. To make reservations, send payment with completed registration form to: Nell Petry, 1465 Cross Creek Circle, Kettering, OH 45429.  Space is limited to 20 students per class.  These classes are very popular, so seats fill quickly!!  Once a class is filled, a waiting list is created.  All registrations are taken on a first received, first recorded basis.

A completed registration form, with payment (checks only, made payable to Dayton AFS) must be in the possession of the coordinator to reserve a seat.  Feel free to mail or deliver your paperwork to the above address.  A box will be on the front porch for your convenience in delivering your paperwork.  Write the date and time you drop off your registration and place in the box.  Mail is collected daily.  If you have a question, you may reach me at: [email protected] or text 937-469-1774

For information about AFS Intercultural Programs please visit https://afs.org .