MEDIA CONTACT:

Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Manager

(361) 320-2064 / vanessa@rockportartcenter.com

CHECK OUT WHAT THE ROCC’S COOKING

Upcoming events feature James Beard Award-nominated Steve McHugh of San Antonio’s Cured and more  

ROCKPORT, Texas (Sept. 6, 2024) — In addition to world-class art, Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) offers both its members and non-members the opportunity to enjoy world-class cuisine, from wine tastings and pairings to expertly prepared gourmet meals.

Hosted throughout the year in the American Electric Power Foundation Culinary Arts Kitchen located in The Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC), the popular Culinary Classes at The ROCC  are demonstration format featuring themed culinary experiences created by notable chefs with expert wine pairings by a sommelier.

“We’ve hosted a variety of culinary experiences which have been very popular with members of our community,” said Laura Vogel, education director for RCA. “Our culinary classes bring together incredibly accomplished chefs, wine experts and more to provide our guests with a wide range of enjoyable formats and cuisine in our flexible catering and culinary arts education kitchen.”

Limited to 16 guests, the chef’s table experience of the intimate kitchen setting allows attendees an up-close view of each demonstration with the ability to interact with guest chefs and presenters, including James Beard Award-nominated Chef Steve McHugh who will host a November 10 cooking demonstration and tasting. The acclaimed chef will prepare a delicious three-course sampler, including his famous Cajeta Eggnog, the recipes for which are found in his new cookbook, “Cured,” which will be available for purchase with personalization for attendees.

A six-time James Beard Foundation Awards’ finalist — four for “Best Chef: Southwest,” and 2020 and 2022 for “Best Chef: Texas” — McHugh studied at the Culinary Institute of America and established his career as a fine dining chef in New Orleans. Now at his own restaurant, Cured, located in San Antonio’s historic Pearl District, proudly features house-cured meats and a variety of locally sourced culinary ingredients and handcrafted dishes. This year, he was named Executive Curating Chef for the Spurs Club, a members-only social and private dining club in San Antonio.

Limited seating means classes fill up quickly. Those wishing to participate in upcoming culinary events can sign up online on the RCA website. While the September 15 Tastes of Sicily with Chef Vicki Comisso class is sold out, limited seats are still available for the October 13 Wine Appreciation Class, Tasting and Food Pairing with Sommelier Kim Bridges and November 10 “Cured” Culinary Flavors with Chef Steve McHugh event. Classes are open to both RCA members and non-members for $99 and $120 respectively, with cookbooks correlating to hosted events available in RCA’s John and Mary Willrodt Gift Shop.

Since opening in November 2022, The ROCC has hosted numerous expert-led culinary experiences with an international flair: two Vietnamese Cooking with Kim Nguyen classes; two Seafood Paella with Spanish Wine Pairings with Luis Purón and Lucy Nye; Sourdough Bread with Wine Pairing featuring Megan Stewart; The Art of Traditional Mexican Cooking with Wine Pairing featuring Luis Purón and Quirina Aranda; Tastes of India with Indian Beer and Wine Pairing featuring Jatel Bhakta; three Tony Legner sessions, including German Veal (Wiener Schnitzel) with Wine and Beer Pairing, Pizza with the Blues, and 3 Mother Sauce Demos; Viva La France – Three-Course French Meal with Chef Vicki Comisso; and Not Just a Casual Love Affair: How to Cultivate a Real Relationship with Chocolate lecture by Dr. Romi Burks.

For more information on the culinary classes, visit rockportartcenter.com follow RCA on Facebook and Instagram, or call (361) 729-5519.

About Rockport Center for the Arts

The new 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts, the Coastal Bend’s first multidisciplinary arts organization, is located a block away from Aransas Bay in the heart of the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Designed by the award-winning team at Richter Architects, the state-of-the-art campus features a two-story, 14,000-square-foot, visual arts and education building with four galleries and five classrooms (204 S. Austin St.); The Rockport Conference Center, a one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center, known as The ROCC, (106 S. Austin St.); with a 16,000-square-foot Sculpture Garden serving as a visually inspiring transition space between the two buildings. The hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For information on event space, or to book an event, call (361) 450-8033. For general information and to become a member, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.

About The Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC)

Located at 106 S. Austin St. on the 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts campus is The Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC).  Perfect for small conferences and board meetings, team-building events, family reunions, wedding receptions and more, the one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center features a 4,400-square-foot ballroom (Randy Ewing Kemper Hall), 1,400-square-foot reception area (Estelle Stair Foyer), a fully equipped catering and culinary arts kitchen, and state-of-the-art AV and Wi-Fi throughout. For general information or to book an event, visit the-rocc.com, or call (361) 450-8033.

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