Memberships are open to all adults for

$15.00 per person

for the 2013 calendar year

Temporary memberships are available for $5 per person and are good for 30 days from date of purchase.

Club Members and their guests must make reservations and to attend classes and events unless otherwise noted.  Advance payment is required to reserve your space in cooking classes, dinners, and certain special events. Wine classes, member celebrations, book signings, and demonstrations are pay-at-the-door, though reservations are still requested to ensure adequate seating.  Please see club rules and regulations for full details.

The club accepts Cash, Check, Visa, Mastercard and Discover when registering for events.

Gift Certificates available! Call 910-256-9488.

Newsletter Sign Up

Cape Fear Food & Wine Club, Inc.


Welcome!

The Seasoned Gourmet has been teaching cooking classes for over 15 years.  The ever-growing interest in all things food and wine led to the forming of the Cape Fear Food & Wine Club in July 2011 to continue serving the needs of home cooks, foodies, and wine lovers living in and visiting the Wilmington area.  We offer many unique events for members and their guests, including cooking classes, wine pairing classes, premium wine dinners, and free members-only events throughout the year.

Members also enjoy exclusive discounts from our host, The Seasoned Gourmet. Enjoy a 5% every day discount on all merchandise in their store, plus a 10% discount during classes that you attend. There's also a special members-only discount wine during events - 10% off 6 or more bottles and 15% off 12 or more bottles.

Special Club Events

Join us for these special food & wine events.

Wed., June 26th at 6:30pm – A Class-y Event: Class-y Shrimperoo – A Little Bit of Class, a Whole Lot of Party! $30

We’re putting a little bit of gourmet into a traditional low-country boil and grill, with buckets of grilled and boiled Shrimp, Corn, and Potatoes, served with an assortment of homemade sauces for dippin’.  Add a little slaw and some friends and you’ve got a can’t miss eatin’ event!  We’re passing out the towels for your shrimpy hands and serving dinner family style complete with beach music on the iPod.  Beer and wine are available for purchase.  Come party with us in casual coastal NC style, and take the recipes home to create your own Shrimperoo!  

Cooking Classes

We offer these menu-focused cooking classes to inspire your next home cooked meal!  Most classes are demonstrations; hands-on classes are noted.  All classes include a generous portion of the menu items and wine pairing samples for adults.  

Sat., May 25th at 11am – Building Beautiful Plates with Susan Boyles $45

Susan is using cutters, molds, and forms to create colorful geometric presentations for classic flavors we all love.  Learn to make Cobblestone Salad (a fresh play on Cobb Salad arranged in “bricks”); a Smoked Salmon Tartare Tower with Baby Greens & Yogurt Dill Sauce; Spinach, Pepper & Potato Pavé (layers of baked Potatoes, Spinach, Roasted Red Peppers & Cheese, cut in colorful squares) served with Seared Tuna; and a sweet ending of Red Velvet Baby Cakes.  A fresh look for your favorite foods! [Difficulty: Intermediate]

Wed., May 29th at 6:30pm – Fresh Summer Fare with Kirsten Mitchell of Cameo 1900 $45

Join us as Kirsten returns to our kitchen to show us some of her favorite fresh summer dishes that are simple to make and bursting with the flavors of local produce.  Start with a Hearty Summer Salad, then learn to make a cool and refreshing Gazpacho (cold vegetable soup).  Kirsten’s own spin on Seafood Ceviche is next, and we’ll finish with a beautiful Berry Parfait that is gorgeous to look at and easy to make. [Difficulty: Easy] 

Tues., June 11th at 6:30pm - Southern Surf & Turf with Chef Keith Rhodes of Catch Restaurant $50

Keith is preparing a fresh take on "surf & turf" with a nod to all things North Carolina.  Join us for this tasty class filled with local and regional ingredients prepared 'Catch' style!

Thurs., June 13th at 12pm – Southern Breakfast Essentials with Liz Biro of Liz Biro’s Culinary Adventures $40

Grits and Biscuits are the quintessential Southern breakfast foods, gracing nearly every table south of the Mason-Dixon line.  Join Liz for this class to learn the secrets to Perfect Grits, Fluffy Biscuits, and Perfect Poached Eggs served up with Southern Hospitality and seasonal fruit.  It’s breakfast for lunch or any time you want a hearty, satisfying meal.  [Difficulty:  Easy]

Sat., June 22nd at 11am – Me Gusta Tacos $30

Today is all about that simple, delicious, portable little meal we call tacos.  We will make crunchy and soft tacos filled with chicken, fish, veggies, and anything else we can come up with plus Pico de Gallo and sauces to spice them up.  We will learn a bevy of different fillings to inspire your next taco dinner, including Baja California Fish Tacos, Chicken Tica Tacos, Black Bean Avocado Tacos, and Spicy Seared Tofu & Pickled Tomato Tacos.  Who knows?  We might even make a fruit taco.  We love tacos, don’t you?  [Difficulty:  Easy]

Tues., July 9th at 6:30pm – Catch the Food Truck with Chef Keith Rhodes $45

Keith is showing us the secrets to some of the great dishes you can catch on his food truck – Join us!

Thurs., July 18th at 6:30pm – Shrimp on the Barbie with Liz Biro of Liz Biro’s Culinary Adventures $45

Before she was a Wilmington food writer and food tour operator, Liz Biro worked as a hard news reporter covering North Carolina’s fishing industry.  As a kid, she helped her folks with their sideline fishing business.  That meant cleaning and, of course, cooking hundreds of shrimp. For this class, Liz share her favorite grilled shrimp recipes.  Citrus Rosemary Grilled Shrimp in their Shells; Prosciutto-wrapped Grilled Shrimp stuffed with Fontina Cheese; Basil Marinated Grilled Shrimp over Pasta. [Difficulty: Easy]

Sat., July 20th at 11am - Southern Seaside Supper with Susan Boyles $40

All of our local summer favorites in one easy to prepare meal!  Start with Curried Crab & Watermelon Salad with Arugula, then learn to make Pan-Seared Sea Bass (or other local-caught catch of the day) served with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes & Cheese Grits, and finish with Strawberry & Rose Petal Cream Parfaits with Candied Pecan Crunch. [Difficulty: Easy]

Wed., July 24th at 6:30pm – Full-Flavor Vegetarian Cooking with Liz Biro of Liz Biro’s Culinary Adventures $45

Years of cooking for vegetarian friends have taught Wilmington food writer Liz Biro a thing or two about meatless meals. Too often, home and pro cooks struggle with seasoning vegetarian dishes.  Often, they overcompensate with salt (ever check the sodium content on those frozen meatless burgers at the supermarket?).  Liz shares full-flavor tips and recipes.  Mushroom Crostini and more. [Difficulty: Easy]

Wed., July 31st at 6:30pm – French Riviera for Foodies with Susan Boyles $45

Enjoy this delicious menu inspired by classic French cuisine but made with local ingredients; it’s perfect for a gathering of friends in the dining room or on the patio, weather permitting.  Start with a Provençal Vegetable Tart with Fontina Cheese then enjoy a Romaine & Arugula Salad with Radish, Mint, & Goat Feta.  Steam a pot of Clams with Hot Pepper, Saffron, and Tomato Confit and serve them with homemade dinner rolls for sopping up the confit broth.  Learn to make easy and delicious Fish Cakes with Baby Greens & Basil Aioli, and finish this foodie feast with Cocoa Cappuccino Pots de Crème.  [Difficulty: Intermediate]

"Master It" Technique Cooking Classes

This is a budget-friendly series focused on the hands-on learning of a cooking technique in about an hour. Pick what interests you and come "Master It" with us!

Fri., June 28th at 2pm – Master It: Fruit & Veggie Carving $20

The truth is we can’t teach you to “master” anything in one class, certainly not the art of fruit & veggie carving.  But we can teach you the basics and get you headed down the road to making playful, beautiful, edible decorations with fruit and vegetables.  Whether you want to learn to make a beautiful centerpiece for your table, or just an interesting fruit “monster” for your kid’s lunch box, we can help you get started today.  [Difficulty: Intermediate] [Vegetarian]

Sun., July 7th at 2pm – Master It: Shrimp $25

An entire class about cooking shrimp may seem silly, but Susan is devoted to curing the world of over-cooked shrimp one meal at a time.  We will practice how to properly clean shrimp and how to prepare them to perfection a number of ways, including sautéed, butter- poached, steamed, and grilled.  Get your hands dirty and enjoy the spoils of the lesson.  

Sun., July 14th at 2pm – Master It: Homemade Cow Tales and Tootsie Rolls $20

We are making soft, chewy candies today!  For those not familiar, Cow Tales (not Cow Tails) are 8-inch lengths of soft caramel filled with vanilla cream.  They’ve been around for a very long time – the company that makes them was founded in 1895!  Tootsie Rolls are an American icon in the candy world.  Both are easy to make at home – a fun rainy-day project to share with the kids.  Come to class to help make them and take a sack of candy home to enjoy!  

Thurs., July 25th at 2pm – Master It: Just the Frosting $30

We are covering all the basics of making your cake frosting smooth and beautiful, and learning a few tricks for piping embellishments onto the finished product for a nice presentation.  We will use a Quick & Easy Buttercream Frosting for this lesson, along with the essential tool – an offset spatula.  Once we have conquered the crumb coat and put our finishing layer of frosting on smoothly, we will put the remaining frosting in a pastry bag and practice piping designs onto our little two-layer cakes.  Take your spatula and your Baby Cake home to enjoy (serves 2-3).

Wine Pairing Classes

These classes were developed to help you select wines to pair with whatever meal you may be enjoying. Taste 5-6 Wines each paired with an Hors d’oeuvre.  Reservations are required. 

Tues., June 4th at 6:30pm – Wine Pairing Class with Paige Bashore of Empire Dist. $15

We are culling our tasting notes for just the right wines to show you to beat the summer heat.  We will taste 6 wines, each one paired with an hors d’oeuvres, to highlight the flavors of the wines.  Details to be announced… shortly!

Tues., July 16th at 6:30pm – Wine Pairing Class with Shawn Underwood of Juice Wine Purveyors $15

We are culling our tasting notes for just the right wines to show you to enjoy with your fresh summer menus.  We will taste 6 wines, each one paired with an hors d’oeuvres, to highlight the flavors of the wines.  Details to be announced… shortly!

Premium Wine Dinners

These events provide our members with a unique opportunity to enjoy premium wines paired with a meal and enjoy the company of a wine educator at the dinner table to answer all your questions. We have explored such wineries as Gemstone, Copain, and Bjornstad and look forward to many more delicious dinners with our friends! Dinners include three courses each paired with a glass of wine, as well as the opportunity to split the cost of a special selection wine with your fellow diners to peel back the veil and see what it's all about.  Drink and dine like a wine officianado - the learning is optional!  Reservations required. 

Rules and Regulations

The Cape Fear Food & Wine Club, Inc. is a private members-only non-profit club dedicated to non-professional cooks, chefs and oenophiles. Attendance at wine events and culinary classes requires club membership; you may also attend as a guest of a member when the member is also in attendance. Membership is open to anyone 18 years of age and older. Members must be at least 21 years of age (with ID required) for consumption of alcoholic beverages.

MEMBERSHIP DUES: Annual memberships are available for $15 per calendar year; temporary 30-day memberships are available for $5 for individuals who are unable to attend on a regular basis (vacationers, part-time residents, etc.)

Members may bring guests to all events except those designated for ‘members-only’. Children under 10 years of age are not permitted to attend club events. Children ages 11 through 17 years may attend if accompanied by a parent or guardian.

RESERVATIONS: Your reservation is secured by your pre-paid reservation. As a courtesy to our instructors and to avoid cancellations due to below-minimum attendance, we ask that members reserve for events at least 72 hours in advance, earlier when possible. Late reservations will be accepted at the discretion of the instructor. Walk-ins cannot be accommodated.

The club reserves the right to cancel an event due to illness of instructor, inclement weather, or below-minimum attendance. Refunds will be issued in the event of cancellation, or fees may be transferred to reserve a space in future events. Members and guests may cancel their reservation with full refund up to 72 hours prior to the event. No refunds will be issued inside of 72 hours of the event as the club is obligated to the instructor for payment based on reservations at that point.

As a courtesy to CFFWC Members, The Seasoned Gourmet offers a 5% everyday discount as well as a 10% discount during classes that a member attends. These discounts do not apply to already discounted merchandise, and do not extend to a member’s guests.

Wine and Grapes