NICKI LEATHEM is one of the newer members of our store staff and of our teaching staff as well. Her experience in Pastry Arts at Sullivan College and her extensive catering experience make her a welcome addition, and she has very quickly developed a devoted student following. Taking one of her classes is like watching your mother’s neighbor prepare dinner, except that Nicki’s probably tastes better.

On Saturday, July 26 at 9:30 a.m. Nicki will prepare a Jerked Pork Tenderloin ($48). The class begins with a Shrimp, Tomato and Grilled Corn Stew, followed by the Pork served with a Mango Salsa and a generous portion of Red Beans & Rice. For dessert, we’ll enjoy Fried Cheese Won Ton with Orange Ice Cream.

On Monday, August 18 at 6:30 p.m. Nicki is back to make a Summer BBQ Rib Dinner ($48). We’ll start with Shrimp & Lobster Salad served with Zucchini Pancakes. Our Country Style Bar-B-Que Pork Ribs will be served with Green Beans and a Smoked Cheese, Tomato and Corn Relish. For dessert, a summer favorite, Banana Cream Pie. Down-home fine food!

On Thursday, August 28 at 6:30 p.m. Nicki will offer a class that I’m really looking forward to, when she prepares Spicy Peanut Flank Steak ($50). Some Bacon-Wrapped Scallops will awaken our taste buds, to be followed by a Grilled Flank Steak served with a Spicy Peanut Sauce and Crispy Fried Sweet Potatoes. We’ll also enjoy Brussels Sprouts with Maple Syrup and Toasted Pecans. We’ll finish with a Banana Caramel Cake with Fresh Peach Ice Cream. This is great summer food.

Nicki’s last class on this schedule is on Saturday, September 13 at 9:30 a.m. This is a very eclectic menu featuring Sweet’n’Spicy (Oven) Fried Chicken ($48). Mini Crab Cakes serve as the first course, while the main dish is the Chicken, accompanied by Grilled Vegetables and a Salad of Sugar Snap Peas, Corn and Crumbled Bacon. The dessert is a Berry Crisp, served with Pecan Ice Cream.

If you haven’t tried one of Nicki’s classes yet, you should! She’s so easy-going and knowledgeable that you’ll feel like you’re learning from an old friend.

Special Benefit Class; Pay It Forward Animal Welfare Network:
On Thursday August 7 at 6:30 p.m. Nicki will teach a class to benefit abandoned animals. 100% of the proceeds will go to helping the animals. The instructors’ and assistants’ time, along with the food and the use of our kitchen is all being donated. We hope to sell 20 seats at $50 per seat and write a check for $1,000. to the charity.

The menu for this class will be a Salad of Fried Mozzarella Cheese with Yellow Squash. The entrée is Chicken Reisling with Mushrooms and served with Asiago Yukon Gold Potatoes. Our dessert will be a Charlotte with Mixed Berries.

Please help us reach our goal, and give back to the community by signing up. On behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves, we thank you.