As Fergus Henderson flies back to London, we are still dizzy from days of preparation, wonderful food, great stories, and catching up with old friends. We are still rejoicing in the purity and simplicity of his food. What a celebration it has been! Many thanks to Vitaly Paley of Paley's Place and Geoff Latham of Nicky USA, for all they did to make his visit so spectacular.

This month, we are proud to offer our Diwali celebration (more below). Classes like this are very special to me because they incorporate food, history, culture, and a celebration -- all around the dinner table. Leena Ezekiel has been planning this for months, and we are excited about the occasion.

But that's not all we're excited about.... this month, we are proud to host a number of great guest chefs, including Joyce Goldstein, Jenn Louis, Tom Hurley, Tim Healea, Janie Hibler, Josh Blythe, and Cory Schreiber. To find out more about them or their classes, please click on their photos to the left.

Leena Ezekiel, noted cooking teacher, will lead a class celebrating Diwali, India's festival of lights, at In Good Taste Cooking School on October 13.

Join Leena as she shows you how to prepare the dishes of Diwali and shares her stories of life in India. This is no ordinary cooking class. You will participate in a true cultural exchange, including an opportunity to be painted with henna; the giving of traditional gifts; and, the sharing of experiences. The school will be decorated with the traditional flowers and mirrors in honor of the Diwali festival.

Diwali or Deepavali is a major Hindu festival. For Indians there is no bigger occasion than Diwali, which symbolizes the victory of good over evil. On this day the Hindu God - King Rama - returned home to His Kingdom of Ayodhya after defeating the Demon King Ravana. It also marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year (a lunar calendar). People exchange gifts and sweets, many wear new clothes, clean and paint their homes and some families make large investments of gold and silver. It is considered an auspicious day to open new businesses and make investments. Lakshmi Puja, the day of worship for the Goddess of Wealth, is also celebrated on Diwali and businessmen open new books of accounts on this day. Every home is brightly illuminated with small oil lamps. Doors and windows are left open and lights left burning all night, so that Goddess Lakshmi can enter your home and bring blessings for the coming year. Home made sweets and desserts are prepared weeks ahead and are distributed to friends and neighbors. Children play with fireworks all night long and there is an atmosphere of festivity and celebration everywhere.

This recipe is perfect for those days when the weather turns a little cooler ... The recipe is not a difficult one and the results are well worth it. And, take Heather's advice and use a nice Oregon red wine.

Bon appetit!

Many of you know Cara, who has been with us for many years. She is now officially on maternity leave so you won't see her smiling face around .... we miss her already. I'll keep you posted on her news, as you have asked me to do.

Dan Winans and his family have departed for Italy where he will do a Masters in Gastronomy. We wish them all the best and will miss them too. Hurry back!

We have a new instructor, Michele Knaus, who has recently moved to Portland to do a masters degree in Sustainable Leadership. We are excited to have her on board; her enthusiasm is highly infectious. Michele has taught cooking classes for over 6 years and ran her own restaurant.

Knowing that most people crave good meals with the minimum of fuss or time, Judith turned to a new cookbook: Meals Made Easy" by the people who bring us the magazine, Real Simple.

Learn to cook healthy and tasty meals in a fraction of the normal time. Michele Knaus will lead you through the whys and hows of using a pressure cooker to speed up your cooking time.

Barb Randall will show you how to eat local in this fun, informative and TASTY class. Join her for an evening of informed learning -- and good eating!

We are locally owned and support our local community.