Date Night

It’s date time! This month, why not take a class together and learn something new?

Cooking Class

One idea is a cooking class. My husband and I attended one on a Thursday evening at Olive Tree, a specialty food emporium in Overland Park. This was not a hands-on cooking experience, but more like a fun cooking show with lots of eating intertwined. Chef Rachel Ciordas prepared a Mexican-inspired menu of queso fundido, jicama salad, red mole with pork, and caramel with crepes and pecans. Of all the dishes, we enjoyed the queso fundido the most! The use of goat cheese in the recipe was an unexpected and delicious addition. Chef Rachel was great at explaining the cooking process for all the dishes and demonstrated superb knife skills. She also offered up random, helpful cooking tips. For example, to get the most pungent taste from an onion, buy the whitest and roundest one you can find. Another tip is to use a dough scraper to easily round up all your chopped fruits and veggies. After watching Chef Rachel use it during the whole class, I promptly put it on my must-buy list!

Create Crafts

Another excellent option is Board & Brush in Lenexa, which is a DIY sign-making studio. Prior to the class, you pay for a spot and choose the sign you want to make. This ensures your stencil is pre-cut and ready to go when you arrive. We chose to do a fall sign together to put on our front porch. My husband and I were there for our first time, but several people were returning for a second or third visit. The class is set up as a workshop, with all attendees working on their signs simultaneously while the instructor provides step-by-step instructions. First, you sand your board with the grain and then distress it with a hammer or meat tenderizer. Next, you stain your board, choosing one of six stain options. Then, you carefully apply the stencil. The final step is to paint, using a foam brush. They have many colors to choose from and plenty of examples to look at all over the studio. I was so pleased with how our fall porch sign turned out, and I can’t wait to go back!

DIY Classes

Of course, you may have something else in mind. Nowadays, many stores, libraries, restaurants, community centers and wineries offer up DIY classes and workshops, everything from wine glass etching to flower arranging to soap making. We have taken a few of these classes at different venues with mixed results. One class we especially enjoyed was learning hand lettering and how to blend and pour our own soy candles. My best tip though is to do your research, read reviews and talk to people who have taken a class at the venue you are considering.

Hannah Berry is a freelance writer who lives with her husband in Kansas City. They enjoy regular date nights and love trying new restaurants and activities.