Love at First Bite: Charcuterie & Chocolate

Class Overview:

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a fun, hands-on culinary experience designed to highlight the simple pleasures of pairing, crafting and sharing delicious food.  This approachable workshop led by Chef Cheo Smith blends creativity with indulgence as you explore how flavors — from savory charcuterie to rich chocolate — come together in unforgettable ways. You’ll explore how salty, creamy, tangy and sweet elements work together before crafting your own charcuterie spread on a take-home board. Whether attending with a partner, a friend or solo, you’ll enjoy a relaxed afternoon exploring the harmony of flavors centered around beautiful ingredients and bite-sized inspiration. 

In this class you will:

• Explore classic and modern meat, cheese, fruit and condiment pairings
• Build a full charcuterie plate on a take-home cutting board
• Learn about different types of chocolate — origins, dark vs. milk chocolate and flavor notes
• Practice dipping techniques using chocolate and assorted toppings
• Assemble your own take-and-bake chocolate lava cake

• Gain plating, pairing and presentation tips to replicate at home

Menu:

• Dried fruits like apricots, dates and berries will be paired with fresh, crisp apples and sweet stone fruit
• Cheeses from the University's own diary cows and other local or small batch farms.
• Meats ranging from prized smoked salmon to the classic summer sausage
• Crostini, crackers and crisps, oh my!
• Chocolate dipped strawberries
• Take and bake chocolate lava cake
• Sparkling wine sampling

Notes:

• We are unable to accommodate individualized changes to the menu.
• *Per University of Minnesota Policy, sampling alcoholic beverages is for educational tasting/pairing purposes and will be limited to small pours.
   

Instructor: 

Chef Cheo Smith brings his experience in kitchens of all sizes — from the home oven to producing hundreds of school lunches a day, and now, to the Farm at the Arb. A Minnesota native, Cheo is a member of the Sisseton Whapeton Oyate and descendant of the White Earth Nation. He seeks to bridge the gaps in access and knowledge that prevent many people from getting farm fresh ingredients to their dinner table. His mission is to make preparing great tasting and healthy foods accessible to the home cook.