Neighborhood Notes

Local Entertaining Expert Ken Hoyt offers ideas and recipes for escaping the heat of the kitchen while still eating well

Everyone knows that the “dog days of summer” occur during the hottest and muggiest part of the season. Webster defines the “dog days” as “the period between early July and early September when the hot sultry weather of summer usually occur.”

So what do you eat when it’s too hot to cook?

Entertaining expert Ken Hoyt, who has been on the local food and media scene for many years, knows that it’s hard to be a host during those hot and sticky days, when even gourmets and chefs avoid kitchen duty.  In his upcoming cooking class at In Good Taste Cooking School, Hoyt suggests a menu that can be prepared ahead, before the day heats up. When it’s time for the party to start, set up the chilled dinner on a buffet and stand back while your guests admire your composure, as well as your creations. The menu features a Chilled Potato Soup, Pork Tenderloin Tonnato, a panzanella style Bread Salad, and a Summer Corn Salad. It ends with a show stopping Nectarine Upside-down Cake. All courses will be paired with local wines.

The class, which will be held on Friday, August 15th at 6:30 pm, will take advantage of the bounty of summer’s produce. Ingredients used will be local, seasonal and organic, including produce from Viridian Farms, pork from Carlton Farms, and bread from the Pearl Bakery.

Hoyt’s clever tips, wealth of experience, and approachable nature make his classes more like enjoying a wonderful dinner party among friends than attending a formal cooking class. His past students know however, that Ken’s knowledge has come from years of hosting elegant events. In this case, he provides an escape to anyone considering slaving in front of a stove. Like the saying goes, “If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.” And Hoyt shows that it’s possible to do just that, while still having the perfect summer soiree.

In Good Taste, a locally owned and operated cooking school, prefers to use organic and sustainable agriculture and products in the kitchen. In addition to a wide selection of cookbooks and cookware, the school offers hands- on cooking classes, demonstrations and private events. It is located in the Pearl District of Portland, at 231 NW 11th Avenue. For more information, and to register for the class, call (503) 248-2015 or go to www.ingoodtastestore.com.