Meet the Culinary Entrepreneurs: Marissa F. Ain

Experience the bold, aromatic flavors of the Caribbean in this "Essentials of West Indian Cooking" class! You’ll make Haitian Soup Joumou and Jamaican Jerk Chicken; Dominican Gandules and Rice with caramelized plantains; and Trinidadian Channa Doubles (a beloved and satisfying street food). It’s a smoky-meets-spicy, sweet-plus-savory menu that gives you a taste of the islands – and the skills to replicate them at home.

Grilling is one of the best ways to cook food simply while obtaining a maximum amount of flavor. You can grill on the stovetop, in your backyard, or over charcoal or gas. In this class you will learn how to modify your grilling technique depending on the medium used. You will also discuss how dry rubs and sauces are used on the grill, then put those lessons to use as you make: grilled steaks; shrimp skewers; chicken satay with peanut dipping sauce and grilled portobello mushrooms and zucchini.

Israel, considered the center of the universe in ancient times, is at the juncture of Europe, Asia and Africa, with its coast on the Mediterranean. Its cuisine reflects the influences of all of the cultures around it, and the refugees who have settled there in modern times. You'll explore modern and traditional Israeli cooking when you make: cheese bourekas (flaky pastry-filled puffs); fried cauliflower with tahini sauce; chicken meatballs in tomato sauce with toasted Israeli couscous; and fattoush (pita salad).

From coasts to prairies, the diverse geography of America results in an abundance of meat and fish varieties that eventually end up on our plates, deliciously prepared. In this class, you will prepare dishes that celebrate this bounty and highlight famed regional preparations. On your menu: Chesapeake Bay crab cakes with sauce rémoulade; New York strip steak with onion rings; and broccoli-cauliflower gratin.