Jenah Kastelic
Woodward News
Woodward, Okla. — The Woodward County OSU Extension Center is giving area residents the opportunity to roll up your sleeves and spend two hours in the kitchen learning how to prepare attractive, delicious dishes featuring French fare.
Chef Joseph Madson from Northwestern Oklahoma State University will teach a French Cuisine Class on March 23 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Madson said students will prepare and feast on a five-course meal with such dishes as quiche lorraine and beef wellington topped with mushroom duxelles.
“A lot of people have heard of beef wellington, half have probably eaten it and almost nobody has made it at home,” Madson said.
The meal will also feature a fresh salad, potage crecy, known to most as carrot soup, and creme brulee for dessert.
Rhonda DeVor, Extension educator, encouraged food enthusiasts and people “who just love food” to pre-register by March 11 as there is limited class space. But she said if the community shows an interest, more hands-on cooking experiences could be offered in the future.
With 29 years culinary experience, Madson, known as "Chef Joseph" in the cooking world, said his skills were taught and honed by some of the toughest chefs in the industry. He was raised in the Midwest, and “schooled” in the casinos of Las Vegas, roots which he said have cumulated his cooking style into an “eclectic blend of retro-comfort and haute cuisine.”
Madson currently resides in Alva, where he teaches gourmet cooking at the university in addition to his work as a private chef.
“My goal is to teach gourmet dining that people can reproduce at home,” said Madson noting that he will give students a recipe book to take home. “After the class, they will be able to easily prepare a full French meal for the delight of their friends and family,” he said.
More information about Chef Joseph Madson can be found on his website, www.ozarksgourmet.com.
The French Cuisine Class will be held at the Woodward County Fairgrounds. You may pre-register by calling the OSU Extension office at 580-254-3391.
