Washington County Arts Council gets ready for its next Art of Cooking

Washington County Arts Council welcomes back The Art of Cooking

Previous guest chefs pose for a photo at the Fountain Head Country Club: (left to right) Jim Pierné, Georgia Pierné, Mac Shuster, Dave Shuster, Chef Todd Reynolds, Vicki Willey, Stuart Kelman, Curt Miller, Sarah Hall and Herb Smith. Not shown: Jamie Gruzska

Chef Todd Reynolds gets ready for his Art of Cooking event

Written by MARY ANNE BURKE

Now is the time to fill up your social calendar to avoid winter doldrums!

It is hard to believe that a 2009 Board conversation and a national television show would lead to The

Washington County Arts Council’s major fundraiser, featuring cooking and presentation as art forms. And thus, The Art of Cooking 2010, the first of an annual tradition. 2009 was the year when the

Voltaggio Brothers became “household names” on television, as Michael defeated Bryan in the finals of Season

Six of “Top Chef: Las Vegas.” Michael Voltaggio lived in California and Bryan Voltaggio resided in neighboring Frederick MD. Many in Hagerstown had dined at the Frederick Restaurant raving about not only the cuisine but the ambiance of the converted former Houck Mansion which had been a professional office building for many years. Could this be the basis for a newly formatted dinner?

The Board plan was to replicate some of the top chef concepts. With the willingness of Fountain Head Country Club to attempt something different, the enthusiasm of Executive Chef Todd Reynolds, and the technical expertise of Jim Miller owner of After Five Productions, Inc., the Arts

(Above) Event attendees are ready for the tasting.

(Left) Jim Miller (left) handles the live-streaming video coverage of the event.

(Right) Chef Jamie Gruzska will be one of the guest chefs for the 2023 event.

Council ventured to produce its first The Art of Cooking.

Rather than a competition, five local couples and friends of the Arts Council were invited to share their favorite recipes, demonstrate their culinary skills while being live broadcast for the entertainment of the audience in the Club’s Ballroom. Each couple’s recipe was prepared in advance by Chef Todd and his staff and served to the assembled guests following each live broadcast. The evening also included a limited silent art auction of locally created artworks with proceeds shared with the gracious artists!

Every year since that first Art of Cooking, the event benefits the Washington County Arts Council, Inc., and local artists. The Arts Council is grateful to each year’s Celebrity Chefs, the volunteers who artistically decorate the ballroom and to the many sponsors whose support and generosity contribute to the annual success of The Art of Cooking.

Fast forward to 2023. Now the 13th Annual, “The Art of Cooking,” returns to Fountain Head Country Club on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023 (Snow date, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023.) Guest Chefs are Jamie Gruzska and Sarah Hall; Stuart Kelman and Vicki Wiley; Curt Miller and Herb Smith; Jim and Georgia Pierné; and Dave Shuster and his son, Mac Shuster.

The five-course meal including vegetarian offerings with wine pairings will certainly please. And guests take home all the recipes! Once again, the Chefs promise a most enjoyable evening. Lots of laughs and delicious recipes await.

For information, contact Mary Anne Burke at 301-791-3132 or maryanneb@ washingtoncountyarts.com.

Reservations are available online at washingtoncountyarts.com/aoc

Mary Anne Burke is the executive director of the Washington County Arts Council.