January 15, 2008...

The Culinary Institute of Charleston offers an impressive menu of continuing education courses in February on Trident Technical College’s Main Campus in North Charleston.

Sweet Yeast Breads for Sundays meets 10 a.m-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2. Lauren Mitterer of Red Drum Gastropub shows you how to make weekend breakfasts something special. Learn the ins and outs of writing a cookbook with Marion Sullivan, columnist for The Post and Courier and food editor for Charleston Magazine and Charleston HOME as well as co-author of Nathalie Dupree’s Shrimp and Grits Cookbook. Writing a Cookbook for Publication meets 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2. Italian with Celia Cerasoli provides the opportunity to cook Italian favorites with Celia herself. This course is offered 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2. Courses are $59 each.

Spinach peta, tiropetes and a very special rolled chocolate baklava are on the menu with Greek Phyllo Pastry. Class meets 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9. Learn the techniques of making fine chocolates just in time for Valentine’s Day with Culinary Institute Master Pastry Chef Bernd Gronert, who also owns and operates the Rococo Bakery shops. The Valentines and Chocolates course is offered 4-6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9. These courses are $59 each.

If baking is more your thing, Kimberly Brock Brown teaches you tricks of the trade, including how to make roses, in Cake Decorating. Brown is owner of a gourmet food purveying company and former executive pastry chef at Charleston Place. This course is offered 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16. Cost is $69. Make and munch some of the best sushi around with Chef John Whisenant of The Fat Hen. Sushi Techniques meets 6:30-9:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18. Cost is $59.

The Ribs, Rubs and Sauces course puts you in the pit with Aaron Siegel, co-owner and pitmaster of Fiery Ron’s Home Team BBQ. It meets 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23. Cost is $59.

Learn how to prepare and serve perfect cocktails from a spirits industry expert in Master Mixology. Class meets 6:30-10 p.m. Feb. 25-28. You must be 21 years old to register. Cost is $149.

Learn the essential elements of cooking in the Learn How to Cook Series. Learn How to Cook the Basics, which covers knife skills and sanitation, is offered 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7.  Cost is $49. The Boiling, Poaching, Steaming and Frying course meets 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 and the cost is $59. Courses on braising and stewing, roasting and baking, sautéing and pan frying, and soups meet in March and April.

For ages 11 and up, the Culinary Institute of Charleston offers the ‘Tween and Teen Cuisine Series. Learn how to make homemade ice cream, ice cream sandwich cake and ice cream pie in Ice Cream Delights, which meets 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16. Take Me Out to the Ballgame features homemade pizza, hot pigs in a blanket and homemade nachos and meets 3-6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23. Courses on Chinese food and cookies are offered in April.  

To register and for more information, call 843-574-6152 or visit www.tridenttech.edu/ce.htm.