Texas Chefs, Great Wine

My mother, sister-in-law, and I attended a recreational cooking class at Central Market last night. It was great! Here is the official class description:

Justin Raiford, Executive Chef, 34th Street Cafe
In the second class of our Texas Chefs, Great Wines series, we bring you one of Austin's most promising up-and-coming chefs, Justin Raiford. You'll enjoy his creative, complex cooking style. Menu includes Baby Butter Leaf Lettuce with Slivered Purple Onions, Citrus Vinaigrette, Citrus Supremes, Farmer's Cheese & Toasted Pistachios with Richard Bourgeois Sancerre; Thai Coconut Curry Soup with Chicken & Fresh Sweet Peas with Gunderloch "Diva" Riesling; Lamb Loin Chops with Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Cucumber-Mint Salsa with Brown Brother Shiraz; and Lemon & Coconut Tart with Whipped Cream & Fresh Berries with Peter Lehmann Semillon.
There is usually something in every class I take that I do not care for, but I really did enjoy all the dishes last night. Also, Darcie Jane, the CM Wine Gal who did the "Wine" portion of the class, was so incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, she made it a special treat!

Chef "Raif" is very well traveled and culinary educated, but so young! You can check him out at Austin's 34th Street Cafe. He really makes his ingredients purposeful and the dishes were delicious.

Darcie did an excellent job with the Wine parings (they deviated slightly from those posted in the class description above).

I had a great time with the gals and I hope they enjoyed their trip to Austin and our evening of culinary adventure!