Upcoming Events
It's here: The Slow Food Kansas City Makers Series of classes!
Things may not be back to "normal" yet, but there's reason to get excited: You can now take classes from some of our area's celebrated chefs and food artisans!
Shopping, cooking and eating in the time of COVID have helped raise the awareness of good food and the comfort it provides. Here's a way to expand your appreciation from your own home.
The Slow Food Kansas City Makers Series features six diverse classes offered each month starting in March 2021. Classes will be held the last Tuesday of each month from 6:30P to 7:30P, with room for only 30 online participants. Tickets range in price from $35 to $65, with chances to win prizes when you buy tickets to multiple classes! Read further below for details.
Buy tickets HERE!
Yes, the classes will still be virtual, but with a twist: You'll be able to create or learn about dishes live with the featured teacher, using ingredient bundles provided as part of your ticket. You can look forward to making delicious baked goods, dabbling in craft cocktails, making fresh burrata cheese, learning how to pair wine with food, making artisan pizza and learning how to use specialized cuts of meat from a butcher.
Additionally, each class will be moderated by acclaimed James Beard Award-winning food journalist and former food editor of The Kansas City Star, Jill Wendholt Silva. For nearly three decades, she has been a leading voice on diverse topics ranging from food trucks to food deserts.
Tickets range from $35 to $65. You can choose the “class only” option, or choose to purchase an ingredient bundle with your ticket, allowing you to create the dish(es) during the workshop...or later, if you’d prefer. Also:
Let's meet the makers!
Things may not be back to "normal" yet, but there's reason to get excited: You can now take classes from some of our area's celebrated chefs and food artisans!
Shopping, cooking and eating in the time of COVID have helped raise the awareness of good food and the comfort it provides. Here's a way to expand your appreciation from your own home.
The Slow Food Kansas City Makers Series features six diverse classes offered each month starting in March 2021. Classes will be held the last Tuesday of each month from 6:30P to 7:30P, with room for only 30 online participants. Tickets range in price from $35 to $65, with chances to win prizes when you buy tickets to multiple classes! Read further below for details.
Buy tickets HERE!
Yes, the classes will still be virtual, but with a twist: You'll be able to create or learn about dishes live with the featured teacher, using ingredient bundles provided as part of your ticket. You can look forward to making delicious baked goods, dabbling in craft cocktails, making fresh burrata cheese, learning how to pair wine with food, making artisan pizza and learning how to use specialized cuts of meat from a butcher.
Additionally, each class will be moderated by acclaimed James Beard Award-winning food journalist and former food editor of The Kansas City Star, Jill Wendholt Silva. For nearly three decades, she has been a leading voice on diverse topics ranging from food trucks to food deserts.
Tickets range from $35 to $65. You can choose the “class only” option, or choose to purchase an ingredient bundle with your ticket, allowing you to create the dish(es) during the workshop...or later, if you’d prefer. Also:
- People purchasing three events with Makers Series Bundles will be entered to win a $125 gift card to Farina, James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Smith’s Crossroads Modern Italian restaurant and oyster bar.
- People purchasing all six events with Makers Series Bundles will receive a bottle of Somerset Ridge Winery & Vineyards wine and also be entered to win an heirloom, handcrafted charcuterie board from Kansas City-based True Grit Woodworking ($200 value).
Let's meet the makers!

March 23: Chef Chad Tillman, Porky’s Lunchbox/Get to Know Your Butcher
Who: After spending over 20 years working as a butcher in Kansas City, Tillman has reinvented his career by turning chef/restaurateur. Tillman’s first restaurant, Norcini Craft Pizza and Sandwiches at Strang Hall, opened December 2019 and developed an instant following. Now Tillman is set to open Porky’s Lunchbox in Trimble, Missouri, in spring 2021, a fast-casual drive-thru concept featuring local meats from neighboring Paradise Locker Meats.
Class Description: A tutorial on adding value to your dinner table experience along with a demo of a delicious pork osso buco. Tillman will discuss how to select high-quality pork and beef and what to look for when purchasing; show new cuts and how to incorporate them into menus; how to choose local providers and why quality really does make a difference.
Makers Series Bundle: Paradise Pork Package includes 2-pound pork osso buco; 1.5-pound pork ribeye; 1-pound jowl bacon; 1-pound ground pork; 1-pound pork cheek meat.
Buy your ticket HERE.
Ticket sales for this class close March 16.

April 27: Craig Jones/Pizza-Making at Home
Who: Jones is the co-owner of Kansas City's only wood-fired pizza truck, 451 Pizza, and Savory Addictions Gourmet Nuts. He's also Food Network's "Grill Mayor," an avid supporter of the local food scene and a board member of Slow Food Kansas City.
Class Description: Jones will teach the core secrets of quality pizza, including making and stretching pizza dough and creating a from-scratch red sauce. Participants will also receive pro tips from Jones, like strategy for topping and cooking the perfect pizza.
Makers Series Bundle: One pizza dough ball, cheeses, salami and everything you need to make red sauce from scratch.
Buy your ticket HERE.
Ticket sales for this class close April 20.

May 25: Chef Jasper Mirabile Jr., Jasper’s Restaurant/The Art of Making Mozzarella + Burrata
Who: An acclaimed chef, cookbook author, radio show host, columnist and locavore/sustainable food advocate, Mirabile is at the helm of his late father’s celebrated restaurant which opened in 1954. As Kansas City’s most beloved Italian restaurant, Jasper’s has earned a reputation of excellence locally, regionally and nationally for authentic cuisine, warm ambience and old-world service. Each week Mirabile can be heard as host of Jasper’s Kitchen Radio on KCMO Talk Radio 710AM/103.7FM. He has written two cookbooks, including The Jasper’s Kitchen Cookbook; develops retail products like the line of Jasper’s Pasta Sauces; makes regular media appearances; and travels frequently as spokesperson for myriad associations.
Class Description: Widely known for his tableside Mozzarella Theatre 2.0, Mirabile recreates Italian cheese-making and includes burrata in this Makers Series workshop. From curds to whey, the mozzarella maestro and storyteller will demonstrate pulling fresh mozzarella and burrata, its creamy, dreamy cousin. Learn about rennet, types of milk, salt and the finer points of Italy’s prized cheeses.
Makers Series Bundle: Everything you need to make one mozzarella ball and one burrata, along with crostini, olives, balsamic vinegar and prosciutto ham for your own cheese tasting.
Buy your ticket HERE.
Ticket sales for this class close May 18.
Who: An acclaimed chef, cookbook author, radio show host, columnist and locavore/sustainable food advocate, Mirabile is at the helm of his late father’s celebrated restaurant which opened in 1954. As Kansas City’s most beloved Italian restaurant, Jasper’s has earned a reputation of excellence locally, regionally and nationally for authentic cuisine, warm ambience and old-world service. Each week Mirabile can be heard as host of Jasper’s Kitchen Radio on KCMO Talk Radio 710AM/103.7FM. He has written two cookbooks, including The Jasper’s Kitchen Cookbook; develops retail products like the line of Jasper’s Pasta Sauces; makes regular media appearances; and travels frequently as spokesperson for myriad associations.
Class Description: Widely known for his tableside Mozzarella Theatre 2.0, Mirabile recreates Italian cheese-making and includes burrata in this Makers Series workshop. From curds to whey, the mozzarella maestro and storyteller will demonstrate pulling fresh mozzarella and burrata, its creamy, dreamy cousin. Learn about rennet, types of milk, salt and the finer points of Italy’s prized cheeses.
Makers Series Bundle: Everything you need to make one mozzarella ball and one burrata, along with crostini, olives, balsamic vinegar and prosciutto ham for your own cheese tasting.
Buy your ticket HERE.
Ticket sales for this class close May 18.

June 22: Cindy Reynolds, Somerset Ridge Vineyard & Winery/Charcuterie + Wine, Oh My!
Who: Along with her husband, Dennis, Reynolds owns award-winning Somerset Ridge Vineyard & Winery, a family-owned artisanal winery near Somerset, Kansas, in Miami County, about 25 minutes outside Kansas City. Reynolds is dedicated to supporting and contributing to the area’s sustainable food and wine culture by creating artisanal regional wines from locally grown grapes that pair well with chef-driven dishes. Somerset Ridge hosts guests from around the world at the Somerset Ridge Vineyard & Winery Tasting Room in Paola, Kansas, and the Somerset Wine & Cider Bar in Martin City, Missouri.
Class Description: Reynolds will conduct an informative charcuterie and wine tutorial where you’ll learn the art of pairing popular charcuterie board components with wine.
Makers Series Bundle: Includes a pre-made charcuterie plate and dessert (serves four as an appetizer or a casual sip-and-nibble dinner for two). Choose from either a dry wine combo or a semi-sweet wine combo.
Buy your ticket HERE.
Tickets sales for this class close June 15.

July 27: Cheryl Bisbee, Boozy Botanicals/Craft Cocktails at Home
Who: An avid fan of craft cocktails, Bisbee stepped away from a 20-year law career to start Boozy Botanicals, a line of distinctive all-natural cocktail syrups infused with herbs, florals and spices. Used by pros in many high-profile Kansas City restaurants and bars and by home cocktail enthusiasts, Boozy Botanicals are infused with herbs, florals and spices and designed to enhance the art of craft cocktails. Produced in Lenexa, Kansas, Boozy Botanicals is now sold in seven states in more than 100 locations and continues to grow.
Class Description: Bisbee will discuss how to achieve a well-balanced cocktail and offer pro tips for essential home bar tools. Demonstration includes a Rosemary Mint Mojito and a Classic Rose Lemon Drop, both made with Boozy Botanicals syrups.
Makers Series Bundle: Cocktail shaker, glass, Boozy Botanicals syrup, fresh lemon and lime; two small bottles of rum and vodka. Recipe cards for each drink.
Buy your ticket HERE.
Ticket sales for this class close July 20.
Who: An avid fan of craft cocktails, Bisbee stepped away from a 20-year law career to start Boozy Botanicals, a line of distinctive all-natural cocktail syrups infused with herbs, florals and spices. Used by pros in many high-profile Kansas City restaurants and bars and by home cocktail enthusiasts, Boozy Botanicals are infused with herbs, florals and spices and designed to enhance the art of craft cocktails. Produced in Lenexa, Kansas, Boozy Botanicals is now sold in seven states in more than 100 locations and continues to grow.
Class Description: Bisbee will discuss how to achieve a well-balanced cocktail and offer pro tips for essential home bar tools. Demonstration includes a Rosemary Mint Mojito and a Classic Rose Lemon Drop, both made with Boozy Botanicals syrups.
Makers Series Bundle: Cocktail shaker, glass, Boozy Botanicals syrup, fresh lemon and lime; two small bottles of rum and vodka. Recipe cards for each drink.
Buy your ticket HERE.
Ticket sales for this class close July 20.

August 24: JC Gregg, Celebrity Baker, Culinary Philanthropist/Sweet + Savory Brunch
Who: One of Kansas City’s best-known self-taught bakers, Gregg has a passion for flavor, style and helping others, He has demystified the challenges of baking and demonstrated his creative prowess on ABC’s The Great American Baking Show Season 3 and the Hallmark Channel’s Christmas Cookie Match Up 2019. Taking traditional recipes, Gregg incorporates his pizazz with unique flavor profiles and aesthetics that leave the taste buds confused but happy. His skills help several charities that focus on family and children like Down Syndrome Guild, CCVI, Happy Bottoms and No Kid Hungry. Gregg’s authentic, giving spirit is inspired by his late mother and a Winston Churchill quote: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
Class Description: Forget about the two-day process for a proper puff pastry! Gregg will demonstrate two brunch items made with a “rough puff” that has just as many layers as a traditional puff pastry, made in a fraction of the time. While the dough is resting, make the filling for a breakfast hand pie: shallots, tomato paste, scrambled eggs, chorizo and cheese. Next, create a sweet brunch treat as Gregg demos a guava turnover using simple ingredients with extra-special results.
Makers Series Bundle: Includes ingredients to make four large hand pies and eight small guava pastries.
Buy your ticket HERE.
Ticket sales for this class close August 17.
Who: One of Kansas City’s best-known self-taught bakers, Gregg has a passion for flavor, style and helping others, He has demystified the challenges of baking and demonstrated his creative prowess on ABC’s The Great American Baking Show Season 3 and the Hallmark Channel’s Christmas Cookie Match Up 2019. Taking traditional recipes, Gregg incorporates his pizazz with unique flavor profiles and aesthetics that leave the taste buds confused but happy. His skills help several charities that focus on family and children like Down Syndrome Guild, CCVI, Happy Bottoms and No Kid Hungry. Gregg’s authentic, giving spirit is inspired by his late mother and a Winston Churchill quote: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
Class Description: Forget about the two-day process for a proper puff pastry! Gregg will demonstrate two brunch items made with a “rough puff” that has just as many layers as a traditional puff pastry, made in a fraction of the time. While the dough is resting, make the filling for a breakfast hand pie: shallots, tomato paste, scrambled eggs, chorizo and cheese. Next, create a sweet brunch treat as Gregg demos a guava turnover using simple ingredients with extra-special results.
Makers Series Bundle: Includes ingredients to make four large hand pies and eight small guava pastries.
Buy your ticket HERE.
Ticket sales for this class close August 17.