Learn something new during your next getaway with our Virginia cooking classes. At Briar Patch, our Northern Virginia bed and breakfast, we hold cooking class weekends once a month in our low season of November or December through March or April.  This cooking class season features Chef Becky Croft and Chef Bernard Henry.  Becky and Bernard will teach us how to prepare 4 or 5 course gourmet meals. Wines from local wineries will be featured.

Watch this space for some potential additional cooking classes this summer.  We can also arrange for special cooking classes for groups.

Dates for our 2009-2010 cooking class weekends:

• December 11-13, 2009
  
• January 22-24, 2010
• February 5-7, 2010 - rescheduled due to snow!
• March 12-14, 2010
• April 2-4, 2010
  

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

• 2-night stay at Briar Patch with breakfast Saturday & Sunday mornings
• Wine tasting with an expert from a local winery & hors d’oeuvres on Friday night
• Optional 3-hour wineries tour on Saturday afternoon
• Cooking lesson on Saturday night

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Arrive at Briar Patch Friday afternoon or evening, when you’ll meet the chef and be treated to some delightful appetizers prepared for your enjoyment. We have arranged a wine tasting of Virginia wines at Briar Patch featuring an expert from a local winery. These wines will be paired with the meal you help prepare on Saturday night.

• Enjoy a full hot breakfast Saturday morning.

• Explore the beautiful Middleburg area countryside on your own -- we have a self-guided wine tour with maps and lots of information on fun things to do in the area, such as horseback riding, hiking, scenic drives, shopping at the Leesburg outlets or the wonderful antique shops in the area, or visiting Civil War sites.

• Alternatively, we have arranged an optional 3-hour tour of area wineries in a van provided by Reston Limousine from 1-4:00 pm. You will visit several local wineries located in beautiful settings.

• At about 6:00 pm or so we will gather in The Fox Den at Briar Patch for the cooking class where the chef will demonstrate and guests will help prepare (and consume!) a 4 or 5-course meal consisting of appetizer, soup and/or salad, entrée, and dessert. The chef will discuss the many aspects of preparing gourmet meals, including how to prep, how to pre-cook and hold, and how best to present the dishes. And, of course, recipes will be provided. Wines will also be served with the meal.

• Enjoy another full hot breakfast Sunday morning.

These are sure to be fun weekends of good wine, fine food, and new friends.

To make a reservation, email us at info@briarpatchbandb.com or call us at 703-327-5911.