Leisure Cooking Classes at LCI

You don't have to be a career chef to be a student at Louisiana Culinary Institute. Their leisure cooking class program has something for just about everyone, and almost always include take-home results. Here are the classes offered in February,  all of which take place in the state-of-the-art cooking facilities on LCI's campus. lci.edu or (225) 769-8820.

February 4

Mardi Gras Cookie Decorating: Chef Jeanne Mancuso brings Fat Tuesday spirit in the form of sugar and extravagance. Learn to decorate two dozen sugar cookies with classic Mardi Gras icons and royal icing. 5 pm–8 pm. $125. 

February 11

Mardi Gras King Cakes: In a Mardi Gras season spent at home, what better way to celebrate than to learn to make your own king cake? Chef Jeanne Mancuso demonstrates how to make two purple, green, and gold king cakes filled with participants' choice of pecan praline, cream cheese, or both. 5 pm–8 pm. $125. 

Valentine's Chocolates: Reach their hearts by way of their stomaches, and do it extra sweetly this year with hand made chocolate statuettes. Chef Chris Nicosia will demonstrate how to caste chocolate, making a small heart shaped chocolate base and backdrop to display handmade truffles and a chocolate rose. 5 pm–8 pm. $125. 

February 13

Valentine's Cookie Cake: A simple classic, elevated with beautiful piping and royal icing techniques. Chef Jeanne Mancuso will lead the class in baking the 10" chocolate chip cookie, twelve frosted sugar cookies, and twelve lemonade thumbprint cookies. 9 am–noon. $125. 

February 25

Let's Cook Pasta: Chef Colt Patin will introduce participants to the art and craft of fresh pasta making. Learn to craft pasta for seafood fettuccine, classic lasagna, and Cajun Mac and Cheese. While you're at it, learn a special seafood fettuccine sauce, a recipe for lasagna, and a blackened chicken Cajun mac and cheese. 5 pm–8 pm. $125.