A few weeks ago I had the chance to attend an event at Williams Sonoma in Somerset Collection. It was a cooking demo by one of my favorite local chefs: James Rigato. He competed on Top Chef and locally began at the Root Restaurant before moving on to Mabel Gray and then reopening ice cream and snack stand Doug’s Delight.
I posted about both Mabel Gray and Doug’s, and love them both. I follow James on Instagram and generally think he is not only a talented chef but a pretty cool guy.
As for Williams Sonoma, I bet you can imagine I have shopped there since I can remember. There are several local stores and I have been to them all. I remember buying my first and only pie pan (still the one I use to bake all my pies) and devouring their candy. It’s sour gummy santa season!
Two of my favorites in one place for a fun night out? Sign me up. Mom and I bought tickets and headed over for the event that promoted Hestan Nanobond pans. They are state of the art pans that are non-stick without having any of the chemicals typically associated with such pans. I would love one, but they are a serious investment, so I’m still thinking about it and hoping for one under the Christmas tree.
James has an amazing personality that shone through during the cooking demo. He prepared fish with mushrooms and salsa verde. He made cooking fish (something I actually do multiple times per week but freaks a lot of people out) seem so approachable. In general, he has a very casual, cool attitude about cooking, and that’s how it should be.
I hope I always spread the message here on the blog that cooking should be fun and stress free. If you mess up (we all mess up sometimes), you ordered pizza or Chinese food and try again the next day. No big deal. Every dish is a learning experience.
Not only did James do a fantastic job with the demo and connecting with the crowd, but Hestan had several demos including crepe making. How fun! Plus, it all benefitted No Kid Hungry.
When the event was over, I just wasn’t quite ready to go home, so Mom and I stopped at BJ’s Brewhouse for a quick drink. It just opened and is spacious and inviting inside. Their top shelf margarita is pretty tasty too.
For the event I broke out my new Smythe blazer that I can’t wait to wear again and talk about in more detail. Also because I live like it’s summer as much as I can, I paired it with a white dress. Who says you can’t wear white after Labor Day???
Have you ever attended a cooking demo?
Dress: Prabal Gurung // Blazer: Smythe // Shoes: Christian Louboutin // Bag: Prada
I have just been to the ones they do on a Saturday, not the full blown one. Your’s looked fabulous and the pictures are just great! Love, love the blazer and white dress…. I love white all year around and it looks so cool paired with your jacket!
I bet their Saturday classes are fun! I keep wanting to try a class at Sur La Table. Thanks, Debbie!
I would spend hours in a place like that. We have a baking/cake exhibition every year in Manchester. It’s amazing and has a few demo’s from famous baking people.
That exhibition sounds fantastic! I bet you can learn a lot from it.