I love to teach almost as much as I love to cook. I got my start at the Rolling Pin - a kitchen store in Athens. In their kitchen I have taught all ages - from 8 to 80. It is a wonderful outlet to share my passion for food and to help others to advance their techniques and add to their recipe collection. 

Classes are informal, educational and fun...and oh yeah, we get to eat our creations as we go! 

 

 

Upcoming Classes
Past Classes
Five Soups and Bread
Date: Tuesday, February 3
Description: Athens guru of good lunches is back with bowls of indulgence to warm your hearts and your spoons. Join Marti for her Thai Shrimp Bisque, Broccoli Soup
with Cheddar and Smoked Paprika, and Pear and Parsnip Soup. After learning to make Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup with Pimento Cheese Toasts, your soup repertoire will be complete. Add on a batch of Cheddar Pecan Biscuits for a lunch menu like no other.
Location: Rolling Pin
Start Time: 6:30
Duration: 2 hours
Cost:

Quick Family Meals
Date: Tuesday, August 12
Description: Join Athen's queen of cuisine for meals to please your family on a busy weeknight. Marti is making Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Goat Cheese,
Chicken Marsala with Smashed New Potatoes and Baked Tilipia in Parchment with Colorful Vegetables. After this class, even a Wednesday night can be
gourmet.
Location: Rolling Pin
Start Time: 6:30
Duration: 2 hours
Cost:

Spring Salads
Date: Tuesday, May 13
Description: Marti’s known for her salads and now you can learn from the best. Join her as she makes Asian Style Beef Salad, Peanut Noodle Salad, Margaritia Fruit Salad, and Charleston-Style Shrimp Salad. Save a seat now, Marti’s also teaching you how to make her Curry Chicken Salad.
Location: Rolling Pin
Start Time: 6:30
Duration: 2 hours
Cost:

All About Rice
Date: Tuesday, January 29
Description: Marti examines the joy of cooking some of the most fun and flavorful dishes that contain rice. Come join the fun as Marti demonstrates how to cook Risotto, Jambalyaya, and Paella.
Location: Rolling Pin
Start Time: 6:30
Duration: 2 hours
Cost:

Cool Summer Soups
Date: Tuesday, April 17
Description: It's getting hot, hot, hot! Doesn't mean you have to abandon your love for soups. Cool down with some cool summer soups. Yummy, yummy, yummy! Join us on a Tuesday evening on April 17th. See you there!
Location:
Start Time: 6:30pm
Duration: 2 hrs
Cost: $35

Cool Summer Soups
Date: Wednesday, March 7
Description: Summer is fast approaching and time to brush up on your summer soups skills. Marti will be teaching how to prepare some great cool soups that the family can enjoy on those blistering hot Georgia days.
Location: Rolling Pin
Start Time: 6:30 pm
Duration: 1 1/2 hours
Cost:

Couples Cooking Class
Date: Thursday, February 9
Description: Want to avoid the overpriced same ole same ole at restaurants this Valentines Day? Bring your significant other to the Rolling Pin as Marti will teach a class on how to stay home and prepare a romantic dinner for this year's special day. Registration is on a first come basis and can be made by calling 706.354.8080.
Location: Rolling Pin
Start Time: 6:30 pm
Duration: 2 hours
Cost:

Holiday Celebration Dinner
Date: Tuesday, November 15
Description:
Location: Madison, GA
Start Time: 6pm
Duration: 2 hours
Cost: $45

Soups
Date: Thursday, November 10
Description: Butternut Squash
Chicken
Chestunut
Lentil
Location: Rolling Pin
Start Time: 6:30
Duration: 2 hours
Cost: $30

Soups and Homemade Bread
Date: Thursday, September 22
Description: For those chilly winter evenings what would be nicer than delicious hot homemade soup and bread. Marti Schimmel brings her distinctive style to bear on these favorite comfort foods.
Location: Rolling Pin, Athens, GA
Start Time: 6:30
Duration: 2 hours
Cost: $30

Easy Supper for Eight
Date: Thursday, August 18
Description: Taught a great group of folks over in Madison the class "Easy Supper for Eight". Will be teaching there again in September and October. Call for specific times and dates.

Easy Supper for Eight

Fresh and Smoked Salmon Spread

3 oz. fresh salmon fillet
½ cup white wine
8 oz. cream cheese – softened
½ cup sour cream
Juice from ½ a lemon
1 tablespoon fresh dill – chopped, plus an addition sprig
1 teaspoon horseradish, drained
3 oz. smoked salmon, minced
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Pour wine over fresh salmon and top with dill sprig. Bake covered 12 –15 minutes. Let cool and mince.

Whip cream cheese with mixer, paddle blade. Add sour cream, lemon juice, dill, and horseradish. Stir in both salmons. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Makes a great presentation when served in endive boats topped with a dill sprig!


Fresh Radishes with Salt and Soft Butter


Warm Spinach and Basil Salad

2 bags spinach – about 8 cups
2 cups fresh basil – torn in half
½ cup good olive oil
3 cloves garlic – minced
½ cup dried apricots - chopped
4 oz. Proscuitto – chopped
salt and pepper to taste
Ύ cup good Parmesan cheese – grated

Combine basil and spinach. Heat the olive oil over medium – add garlic and apricots. Sautι until garlic is golden – about 3 minutes. Add Proscuitto and continue cooking for another minute. Pour over basil and spinach – toss well.
Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese







Beef Tenderloin with Rosemary and Blue Cheese Butter

4 lbs. beef tenderloin – trimmed
Kosher salt, fresh pepper, and dried thyme

Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Coat the beef with salt, pepper and thyme. Cook 19 minutes for rare, 22 for med-rare. 24 for med

Ό cup chopped rosemary
8 oz. butter – softened
Ό cup pecans – toasted and chopped
Ό cup blue cheese – crumbled

Combine all. Form into a log and wrap in parchment or wax paper. Refrigerate over-night or freeze 2 hours.


Green Beans with Garlic, Tomatoes and a Dollop of Pesto

2-½ lbs. green beans
5 Roma tomatoes, diced
4 cloves garlic chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon pepper
Ό cup white wine
3 tablespoons basil Pesto

Trim green beans. Heat oil over med-high. Add green beans, tomatoes, garlic, salt, pepper and wine. Partial cover and cook slowly for 30 – 40 minutes on medium, stirring often. Season with more salt and pepper if need be and toss with Pesto.



Herb Roasted New Potatoes

4 lbs. new potatoes
Olive oil, salt and pepper
1 tablespoon rosemary – chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme – chopped
1 tablespoon parsley

Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Toss potatoes with all other ingredients, except parsley. Bake 18 – 20 minutes. Toss with parsley and more salt and pepper if needed.

Roasted Plums with Vanilla Ice Cream

8 plums, halved and pit removed
1 tablespoon sugar per plum

Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Toss plums with sugar – 1 tablespoon per plum. Roast on parchment lined paper for 10 –12 minutes.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
Location: Cooking by the Creek, Madison, GA
Start Time: August 16, 2005
Duration: 2 1/2 hours
Cost: $45