Classes at The Merc
Welcome, we’ve been expecting you! We offer a wide selection of classes each month, each sure to stimulate your intellect as well as your appetite. You’ll appreciate our welcoming, inclusive environment and the care we take in preparing for your arrival. Sit back, relax, and enjoy all that our classes have to offer. Click Class Calendar page to the left to see our current class offerings or browse through the lastest class posts below.
Participants were bursting with delight at the wrap of Cajun Cuisine - In Time for Mardi Gras, as they had a good ol’ fashioned party while tasting delights from Cajun Country. Both vegetarians and carnivores enjoyed variations of Red Bean...
One of the most timeless, effective ways to show affection is by cooking. When someone makes you food its a gesture that says a lot. Sometimes it is as simple as a piece of bread toasted just how you like it with your favorite peanut butter spread on top...
Last Saturday afternoon's class with local herbalist Ocoee Miller was packed with useful information! We started off class by brewing up and sampling some of Ocoee's Better Bones Brew (available in our bulk department) while she introduced some s...
Consciousness was the key to Karen Duggan's guide to a happy, healthy pregnancy! She stressed listening to yourself and your baby, paying attention to your physical needs, and being especially aware of what you are putting in your body. After a discu...
While in Casual Italian it was easy to dream of being in the Italian countryside assembling a fabulous menu derived of superb ingredients from classic recipes. Guided by Chef Paige’s excellent technique demonstrations, tastings inclu...
Classes at The Merc
Classes at The Merc are your opportunity to get fresh cooking ideas, learn about special diets, and gather useful information on healthy lifestyles. Classes are a social, inspiring and affordable way to come enjoy what The Merc has to offer.
In our classes we welcome you into a beautiful and intimate environment, cared for by our hosts, served delicious food, and taught by experienced and well trained chefs, nutrition educators, and holistic health practitioners.
The Mission of our Class Program is to:
We are proud to offer a variety of classes including:
Stop by The Merc's Deli counter for made-to-order sandwiches (hot and cold),salads, soups and fresh smoothies, coffee or espresso drinks.
M-F
M-SatOur pizzas are created daily on our house made crust with only the freshest ingredients. Every morning our skilled cooks carefully choose two types of pizza to prepare. Check back daily to find out what's hot and ready today.
M-Sat
Stop by and we will make you a sandwich made to order using our finest meats and cheeses that we also sell for you to take and make at home. Our choose one of our classic Merc Specialty Sandwiches.
Our salad bar is fresh daily with all of the fixings you'll want. We even make our own salad dressings in house.
If you are on the go or just want something easy for dinner tonight. Grab a favorite today!
Take your tongue for a walk on the wild side with this zippy salad featuring local Central Soy tofu & house-made miso vinaigrette. Bright citrus notes set off an umami tsunami whose earthy tones you can ride all the way to a healthy filling lunch. In the evening, try pairing it with some ruby trout from our seafood counter for a meal in minutes. This is one salad you can enjoy around the clock!
Treat your heart and your sweet tooth with this masterful mash-up of flavors. Good-for-you tart cherry juice intertwines with luscious pomegranate and organic chocolate syrups, and then the combination is brought to bubbling life with La Croix sparkling water. Whether the weather is playing at winter or spring, this'll put a pep in your step and make your taste buds sing!
Join us in welcoming an old favorite with a brand new twist: Our beloved chocolate cheesecake is back, and it brought along a brand new crust. That's right, our bakers are stepping up their chocolate game with house-made chocolate graham crackers for the crust. This double chocolate combo will have you hooked!
Co-op Calendar events are listed below. To view all Merc events, click on the View Full Calendar link.
7-9 pm
After a busy day we all want to enjoy a simple healthy dinner. Join Hilary in sampling three dinners that take about 30 minutes each to prepare. First up, a simple Fritatta that includes Vibrant Greens served with Polenta. Next we’ll explore the infinite varieties of Quesadillas - filled and grilled, always with lots of vegetables. Finally, a super simple Curry Dinner to make at home thanks to coconut milk and prepared curry paste. Hilary will serve this with exotic and simple Black Rice. All done in 30!
Taught by: Hilary Kass, MPH
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $18 per person, $16 for Merc Owners & Seniors
2-4 pm
Warm your winter kitchen with Melt-in-Your-Mouth Hot Cross Buns; Fabulous Yeasted Coffee Cake; and Spectacular Made-from-Scratch Cinnamon Rolls. What better way to spend a cold Saturday afternoon then in the Merc kitchen with Mari Ruck teaching. Guaranteed to be entertaining, informative, and delicious. The tea and coffee will be brewing.
Taught by: Mari Ruck
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $18 per person, $16 for Merc Owners & Seniors
7-9 pm
We’ll travel the globe with all new recipes featuring the humble bean. We’ll start the evening with a delicious Pureed White Bean Spread served on Crostini. Then on to simple Black Bean Tostadas with trimmings, and an Instant Tamale Pie topped with Sour Cream & Guacamole. We’ll switch cuisines with a savory Greek Pizza starring garbanzo beans, and end with a beautiful Minestrone & Parmesan Biscuit Pot Pie. Each participant will get to take home a complimentary can of Eden beans to get you started cooking.
Taught by: Nancy O'Connor, MS Ed
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $18 per person, $16 for Merc Owners & Seniors
7-9 pm
Take a little trip around the world with Chef Nancy as she shares her love of curries, accompanied with flatbreads for dipping, scooping and wrapping! First we’ll make Fresh Corn Flatbread with Chiles (similar to a corn tortilla by way of India), perfect for eating with Spicy Chopped Tomato-Cucumber Salad. Then we’ll sample fresh hot Puri (Indian Fried Flatbread) with Sambhar Masala (Aromatic Mixed Vegetable Curry). We’ll finish in Ethiopia with Injera (a soft griddle baked flatbread) and Doro Wot, a traditional Ethiopian chicken curry. And, of course, a surprise sweet.
Taught by: Chef Nancy Stark
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $20 per person, $18 for Merc Owners & Seniors
7-9 pm
The Art of Simple Food by Alice Waters is a culinary classic. Join Paige in her second class preparing recipes from this very famous cookbook, starting with Long Cooked Broccoli (served on a croûton). Next you’ll enjoy delicious and seasonal Curly Kale & Potato Soup, followed by Moroccan Sweet Potato Salad and a very Classic Beef Stew. The meal will be complete with a 1-2-3-4 Cake (a simple and perfect butter cake). This is a class focused on simple foods prepared with excellent ingredients using classic techniques. A winner!
Taught by: Chef Paige Vandegrift
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $20 per person, $18 for Merc Owners & Seniors
7-9 pm
Join Chef Nancy as we explore the delicious world of Thai food with a batch of new dishes. We’ll begin with Superfast Steamed Fish with Chile and Lime, with a side of Green Bean, Cucumber, and Tomato Salad. Next up: Homemade Curry Paste as the base for Rustic Red Curry Beef, along with Coconut Rice and Stir-fry Broccoli with Crispy Garlic. And of course, a sweet ending!
Taught by: Chef Nancy Stark
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $20 per person, $18 for Merc Owners & Seniors
7-9 pm
Join Paige for a new outlook on winter salads as she works her magic with a variety of vinaigrettes, a mixture of warm and cold salads and lots of winter fruits and vegetables. You’ll enjoy a Salad of Shredded Romaine & Radicchio with Apples, Asian Pears & Buttermilk Dressing; Winter Pasta Salad with Cauliflower and Walnut Pesto; Warm Cabbage Salad with Smoked Ham & Goat Cheese; Refreshing Fennel & Carrot Salad; and an Avocado & Citrus Salad with Green Olives. A true cure for the winter blues.
Taught by: Chef Paige Vandegrift
Location: The Merc's Community Classroom
Cost: $20 per person, $18 for Merc Owners & Seniors