Paul Young

Educator, Designer, Culinary Explorer

@cooking.with.paul
@cooking.with.paul.young
@chef_paul_young
cooking-with-paul.blogspot.com
info@cooking-with-paul.com

A weekend of culinary workshops, fun, and feasting

• February 23–25, 2024 (Friday–Sunday)
• Allerton Retreat Center (Monticello, Illinois)
• $550–$750 per person
• Registeration information

 

The First Annual Global Gastronomic Retreat is a collaborative project between foodies, cooks, and chefs from Champaign, Urbana, and central Illinois. We envision a fun, educational and inspiring weekend where professionals and creative home cooks can come together and share a unique culinary adventure like no other.

 

The weekend retreat includes:

• 3 days of cooking, feasting, music, and movies about food at the spectacular Allerton Mansion
• 5 meals including 2 gourmet dinners with curated wine pairings
• 2 hands-on culinary workshops with passionate teachers
• 2-night stays available in the luxurious Allerton mansion or the guest houses (optional)

 

Our common vision is to embrace diversity by promoting new cultural discoveries and making more meaningful connections to the world we live in — a mission that is more precious now than ever. We believe these goals are best accomplished by breaking bread together and making new friends over good food and drinks.

 

We hope you can join us for a weekend of inspiring hands-on gastronomic experiences as we explore the culture of Spain, India, and France. Then tell us where you would like to go next year — the world is wide open!

presenters

This year's presenters represent a cross-section from Champaign-Urbana's culinary scene. From top chefs to restaurant owners to educators, from seasoned professionals to home cooks to rising stars, we all share a common goal — to celebrate the innovation, diversity, and creativity in our local food culture. Meet this year's presenters:

 

• Sarah Buckman
  Marketing Director and Teacher • Common Ground Food Co-op
• Sirisha Bhandaru
  Culinary Arts Instructor • Instagram blogger: @mycravesandraves
• Matt Cho
  Co-owner • Analog Wine Library and Cafe+Co
• Paul Young
  Educator, Designer, Culinary Explorer • cooking-with-paul.com

SCHEDULE

Friday February 23

• 3–5pm • Check-in
• 5–6pm • Happy hour welcome mixer with champagne toast
• 6–8:30pm • Tapas in Barcelona by Sarah Buckman (with wine tasting by Matt Cho)
• 8:30pm • Live music (cash bar available)
• 10:30pm • Special movie presentation

 

Saturday February 24

• 8–9am • Coffee Workshop with Brewlab
• 9–12n • Indian Cuisine Workshop with Sirisha Bhandaru
• 12–1pm • The Paratha Brunch Thali by Sirisha Bhandaru
• 2–5pm • French Cuisine Workshop with Paul Young
• 6–8:30pm • Formal French Dinner in PARIS by Paul Young (with wine tasting by Matt Cho)
• 8:30pm • Live music (cash bar available)
• 10:30pm • Special movie presentation

 

Sunday February 25

• 8–9am • Self-serve continental breakfast (coffee + tea + toast)
• 9am–12n • HYPER-LOCAL SUNDAY BRUNCH by Sarah Buckman
• 12n • Check out

sponsors

This event would not be possible without the generous support of the following people and organizations:

 

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