Participants may find themselves involuntarily dancing The ZORBA during this one-of-a-kind cook-along experience with Chef Tess. Dive into the world of creating two scrumptious traditional Greek Phyllo pastries, Baklava and Spanakopita that have been known to awaken taste buds and the “inner Greek”. Baklava is a Traditional Greek layered dessert pastry made with phyllo, chopped nuts and other secret ingredients. They are baked to golden perfection and bathed in dreamy honey-kissed syrup. Spanakopita, on the other hand, is a Greek savory pastry, consisting of a savory filling made of spinach, cheese, herbs and other secret ingredients that is enrobed in delicate sheets of phyllo pastry. Talk about mouthwatering goodness! Tess grew up in a Greek home where Baklava and Spanakopita were made and enjoyed throughout the year, but especially for any and every holiday. She too joined in the tradition of creating these delicate pastries ever since she was roughly 6 years old. Tess now combines her decades of knowledge, secret ingredients and techniques full of tradition, sharing them with participants of this virtual cook-along class only. Join Tess as she guides you through the process of creating one of her versions of Baklava she calls ‘Baklava Rolls’ and through the process of creating her spanakopita triangles. Regardless of level of skill working with phyllo, participants will leave with two show-stopping recipes and the confidence to serve them at any gathering. BUT Shhhhh!!!!! Remember, Tess is only making her SECRET recipes available to those who REGISTER for this class. They will be asked to keep these secrets SECRET as Tess has done so for over 50 years! Note: One registration fee for this online virtual interactive class can include immediate family members living full-time in the same home ONLY. If children are participating, adult supervision is required. If friends, adult children, or extended family members are gathering for a fun night together, EACH household must register SEPARATELY even if participating together.

Escape to the Mediterranean with the flavors of Greece and get your “OPPA” on! During this fun-filled virtual cook-along class you will learn the secrets of creating a lavish Greek Hot Dish called “Pastitsio”, and a divine gourmet garlic rolls, both of which are enjoyed by Greek families around the world, especially during holiday celebrations. Pastitsio, pronounced pas-TI-tsi-o, is a delicacy in its own right, fit for royalty. It is a culmination of layered Greek pasta, savory spiced meat sauce, and a luxurious topping of often “mile high” cheesy béchamel sauce, baked to perfection. The soft, buttery, elegantly shaped garlic bread rolls bursting with flavor will round out a perfect meal. Tess will also share how to create her Greek Salad dressing for all who wish to include a classic, crisp Greek Salad. Greek gourmet at its finest. Equipment Needs: A stand mixer is highly recommended for the garlic rolls. Note: One registration fee for this online virtual interactive class can include immediate family members living full-time in the same home ONLY. If children are participating, adult supervision is required. If friends, adult children, or extended family members are gathering for a fun night together, EACH household must register SEPARATELY even if participating together.

Gather the whole family and join in the fun Baking and Building your very own show-stopping gingerbread house from scratch during this festive Family Bake-along experience. Together, we will combine the wonderful flavors of gingerbread and use the dough to create the pieces that will be used to “build” breathtaking houses. We will also whip up the perfect batch of stiff Royal Icing—the edible “glue” that holds everything together and is used to decorate the houses with candies and delicious treats. Participants will receive a professionally made PDF ingredient list and prep packet a week in advance of the class to allow time for shopping and preparation. The packet will also include the instructor’s “Gingerbread House Specific” Recipe that she has tested time and time again to ensure the cookie pieces are delicious but strong enough to hold the weight of the icing and decorations. A template that will need to be printed and cut out before class to be used as a “pattern” will also be included. Whether you are starting a new family tradition, or continuing a beloved one, this cozy, joy-filled experience will leave everyone smiling, and maybe sneaking a few gumdrops. By the end, participants will have built not just a stunning work of art, but sweet memories to last a lifetime! Equipment needs: Large sheet pan, parchment paper / non-stick baking mat, rolling pin, and mixer will be needed. Other items & Ingredients will be listed in the handout that will be received roughly a week before class. Note: One registration fee for this online virtual interactive class can include immediate family members living full-time in the same home ONLY. If children are participating, adult supervision is required. If friends, adult children, or extended family members are gathering for a fun night together, EACH household must register SEPARATELY even if participating together.

Get your chopsticks ready! Really good Chinese Take-Out is often very difficult to find. Register for this Master Class and learn how to create, from scratch, a wonderful Chinese “Better-than-take-out” meal in your own kitchen! You will learn about the various ingredients and step-by-step processes that turn these ingredients into fabulous Chinese take-out favorites, and gain the confidence to create your own “better-than-take-out” meals time and time again. After this class your search for Chinese take-out will be a search through your freezer and pantry. Although most Chinese take-out items are fried, this class will also provide healthier options for cooking. The class will include a cook-along option for 4 recipes and one additional recipe will be demonstrated. There will be a discussion / presentation about ingredients and their use, in addition to basic equipment that is wonderful to have and why. Only those who REGISTER for the class will receive an all-inclusive professionally made PDF packet with ALL recipes and information shared during the class. Equipment: a wok is recommended but not required. Note: One registration fee for this online virtual interactive class can include immediate family members living full-time in the same home ONLY. If children are participating, adult supervision is required. If friends, adult children, or extended family members are gathering for a fun night together, EACH household must register SEPARATELY even if participating together.

Step into a sweet winter wonderland in this joyful holiday cookie workshop cook-along experience led by instructor Tess. Learn to create FOUR amazing gourmet cookies from scratch using two types of dough using Tess’ original recipes. Only requirement is being able to keep the recipes secret! First up, MONSTER COOKIE DOUGH will be used to craft two DIFFERENT types of Monster Cookies, one of which actually looks like the beloved Cookie Monster, and the other is more of a classic albeit moist, delicious, and decadent. They are MASSIVE, colorful, chewy, and loaded with festive mix-ins that are as fun to make, as they are to eat. Next, an out of this world dough will be created using a recipe Tess has never shared before that uses very unconventional mixing techniques. The dough will be used to create the ultimate bakery, NYC-Style stuffed cookies filled with dreamy indulgent centers like cheesecake, and fudgy brownie. Cookies will then be created, once again, using unconventional shaping and baking techniques! Tess will also demonstrate how to stuff cookies with the Viral Dubai Chocolate, and how to create her version of a most delicious Apple Crumble Stuffed NYC—style cookie. A step-by-step guided bake-along experience designed for cookie lovers of all ages full of holiday cheer and endless memories! Equipment: Stand mixer is required. Hand mixers do not have enough power to mix the dough. Note: One registration fee for this online virtual interactive class can include immediate family members living full-time in the same home ONLY. If children are participating, adult supervision is required. If friends, adult children, or extended family members are gathering for a fun night together, EACH household must register SEPARATELY even if participating together.

Experience the warmth and elegance of Greek cuisine in this one-of-a-kind cook-along experience with instructor Tess, who brings generations of culinary tradition straight to the table. Tess will guide participants in the step-by-step process of making Dolmáthes—tender grape leaves delicately filled with savory rice and seasoned meat filling, then gently simmered and finished with a luxurious velvety avgolemono sauce, a classic emulsion of fresh lemon juice and egg. To complete the meal, participants will also bake a loaf of crusty artisan bread—perfect for savoring the bright, savory essence of the rich lemony sauce. Cherished at holiday gatherings and family feasts throughout Greece and beyond, Dolmáthes are more than a meal—they’re a tradition. Join in an evening of soulful cooking, rich flavor, and timeless technique as you learn to craft this classic from scratch with guidance rooted in generations of experience. Whether you're new to Mediterranean cooking or simply craving authentic comfort food, this cook-along experience is an invitation to slow down, savor the goodness, and cook with heart. Note: One registration fee for this online virtual interactive class can include immediate family members living full-time in the same home ONLY. If children are participating, adult supervision is required. If friends, adult children, or extended family members are gathering for a fun night together, EACH household must register SEPARATELY even if participating together.

Homemade sweets and treats are always wonderful around the holidays and throughout the year as well. Add two wonderful treats to your holiday celebration as you learn to create freshly baked homemade Copycat Cinnabon® Cinnamon Rolls, and NEXT LEVEL, VIRAL Dubai Chocolate bars with made from scratch Kadaifi (shredded phyllo)! Make them for your family for a memorable holiday breakfast or wrap them up with bows and gift them to those you hold dear. After keeping her Copycat Cinnabon® (Cinnamon Roll) recipe a secret for MANY years, Tess has decided to share it EXCLUSIVELY to those that register for this class! She has often been told that her rolls are considered BETTER than actual Cinnabon® rolls. You will love these billowy, warm, luscious, gooey, rolls topped with cream cheese frosting that is out-of-this world-delicious. In addition, NEW to her Holiday Dessert class offerings, her version of the Viral Dubai Chocolate Bar! Tess takes the experience to the next level teaching participants how to create their own Kadaifi (shredded phyllo) from SCRATCH costing PENNIES, and her from-scratch version of pistachio cream filling for the chocolate bars! Be ready to keep all recipes SECRET as they are only shared with participants of this class. Equipment needs: A 1” deep silicone Dubai Chocolate Bar mold is needed to create the chocolate bar. The bars can be made with simple melted chocolate. However, if a longer lasting shiny finish is preferred, tempering the chocolate is beneficial. If participants wish to temper the chocolate, an instant read kitchen thermometer is needed. Note: One registration fee for this online virtual interactive class can include immediate family members living full-time in the same home ONLY. If children are participating, adult supervision is required. If friends, adult children, or extended family members are gathering for a fun night together, EACH household must register SEPARATELY even if participating together.

The word “Mezze” refers to what we all know as finger foods and dips. Many Mediterranean meals consist of a variety of “mezze” items that come together creating the most wonderful flavors, tastes and textures. Learn how to bring warmth, color, and the flavors of the Mediterranean to your fall and winter gatherings with this festive Mediterranean mezze cook-along class where Chef Tess (a descendant of Spartans) will guide you through creating a stunning mezze-style charcuterie board, perfect for sharing or seasonal entertaining any time of year. The mezze-style charcuterie board will include four delicious scratch-made dips, warm-spiced, bright Greek meatballs, and handmade pita bread. Mezze boards / platters will be rounded out with an array of fresh and pickled vegetables, olives, fruit and nuts for a vibrant crowd—pleasing spread! The board, platter, or table becomes the canvas upon which we create an edible work of art! Equipment: A food processor or blender is needed for the creation of the Whipped feta. Stand mixer recommended for the pita bread. Note: One registration fee for this online virtual interactive class can include immediate family members living full-time in the same home ONLY. If children are participating, adult supervision is required. If friends, adult children, or extended family members are gathering for a fun night together, EACH household must register SEPARATELY even if participating together.

The word “Bao” is derived from the word “Baozi” which means, “to wrap” in Mandarin. Bao buns are often described as “steamed pillows” of deliciousness that are becoming increasingly popular in North America. They are created by freshly steaming yeasted velvety dough, and are then filled with a variety of fillings. During this fun-filled class participants will learn to create delicious Steamed Bao that will be used “to wrap” almost like a little “jacket”, the fantastic filling of Korean Bulgogi BBQ Chicken, and a wonderful variety of Asian inspired quick pickled vegetables! What fun! Everything from the Bao, the Korean Bulgogi BBQ chicken and the pickled veggies will be made from scratch in a guided step-by-step fashion, making for a fun, exciting and memorable experience. Equipment Needs: A bamboo steamer is a “nice to have”, but not necessary. A stand mixer is highly recommended. Note: One registration fee for this online virtual interactive class can include immediate family members living full-time in the same home ONLY. If children are participating, adult supervision is required. If friends, adult children, or extended family members are gathering for a fun night together, EACH household must register SEPARATELY even if participating together.