Hey, Lakeland – Kaylee + Katelyn here. We recently attended one of Publix Aprons Cooking Schools’ classes at the Lake Miriam Square Publix. Here’s the scoop.

Whether you’re looking to brush up on your cooking skills – or are a cereal three-times a day kind of person – Publix Aprons Cooking School has talented chefs on staff waiting to prepare a four-course meal just for you (oh, and they’ll show you how to make the dish yourself, too). We took the “Food Heaven” class/demo, and it’s safe to say that we were expertly wined and dined.

LALtoday editor Kaylee enjoys Porcini Rubbed Beef Tenderloin | Photo via @thelaltoday

Here are all of the wonderful dishes we devoured – and all of the details so you can #TryThis yourself:

Experience:

Food Heaven cooking demo and dinner at Lakeland’s Publix Aprons Cooking School.

LALtoday editor Katelyn was happy to get out the house and let someone else cook dinner | Photo via @thelaltoday

What we tried (with pricing):

We chose this class ($50/person) from the online calendar because the menu looked delicious – and we wanted to brush up on our knowledge of wine pairings. Typical classes range from $25-100/person.

The demo class lasted about an hour and every dish we ate was perfectly paired with a wine of the chefs’ choosing. Every group is assigned their own table with a view of the kitchen where two Publix chefs whip up the delicious meals on your menu. All of the meals are prix fixe and as you eat, you get to see how each course was prepared.

The chefs allow for questions, comments, and even throw in their own humor to make sure their “students” are both fed + entertained.

Bonus: It felt safe. COVID-19 precautions were being taken – like socially-distanced tables and mask requirements.

Here was the ‘Food Heaven’ menu:

Course 1: Jumbo Lump Crab Gratin with Bacon + Gruyere paired with a 2019 Cask and Barrel Chardonnay (retails for $14.99 from Publix)

via GIPHY

Course 2: Chilled Lobster Salad with Sweet Corn Succotash + Tarragon paired with a 2018 Hawk’s Crest Riesling (retails for $14.99 from Publix)

Re-create dishes at home with the recipes from a Publix Apron’s class | Photo via @thelaltoday

Course 3: Porcini Rubbed Beef Tenderloin with Port Wine Reduction and Roasted Root Veggies paired with a 2018 Old Soul Petit Sirah (retails for $12.99 from Publix)

The experience allowed us to try foods outside of our element – like our porcini-rubbed pork tenderloin | Photo via @thelaltoday

Course 4: Salted Caramel Macadamia and Dark Chocolate Tart paired with a 2018 Shannon Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon (retails for $12.99 from Publix)

We ended the night on a sweet note | Photo via @thelaltoday

Don't miss:

Asking questions: The chefs are there to teach, so don’t be afraid to ask questions, like how to grind herbs when you don’t have an herb grinder. #ProTip: Use a coffee grinder.
Trying new things: Explore new depths with your taste buds by trying foods outside of your element – like our porcini-rubbed pork tenderloin + tarragon dressing.
The discounts: Take advantage of the 20% discount you get on menu items + wine within the store that evening, such as a BOGO on the featured Sirah we tasted the night of our demo. Recipes are released to class attendees and all ingredients can be found at Publix, so you can easily re-create the meal at home.

Classes are socially distanced to ensure attendees feel safe | Photo via @thelaltoday

See our full tasting experience on our #TryThis Instagram Story Highlight.

What we’re still talking about:

The food… because how could we not? And we were wowed by how much knowledge the chefs have, and how many #ProTips they shared (like *always* making sure the pan is hot before cooking). At the end of the day, this experience was just simply fun, relaxing, and a good little escape from reality for a while. 100/10 would recommend it.

How you can experience this:

Schedule a cooking class online. There are dozens to choose from (typically 6 classes per week) – from couples nights to sushi making to candy workshops.

Another #ProTip: This would also be the perfect interactive gift for the holidays. (Think: Date night with your significant other, night out on the town with girlfriends, one-on-one bonding moment with your mom, etc.) Spoiler alert: You might end up becoming your giftee’s favorite person.

Things to know if you go:

Experience: Take a cooking class at Publix Aprons Cooking School
Price: $25-100 per person per class
Website: https://ww4.publix.com/recipes-planning/aprons-cooking-schools/lakeland/classes
Address: Lake Miriam Square, 4730 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, FL
Hours: Times vary depending on the class
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