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A cooking class organized by the Potomac United Methodist Church is gaining popularity in Potomac, but participants don't just show up because they learn how to fry up great food.

Germantown resident Amy Riolo, who conducts the classes, is a chef and a food historian. During her class, Riolo brings her knowledge of the cultural context of the food, and not just her culinary prowess, to the table.

"My students really like hearing the history of food," Riolo said. "If you're cooking for two hours straight, it can get boring, so that's what makes it interesting for them is hearing where the food came from."

For example, during a recent class she explained to her students that the origins of Greek spanekopeta – a spinach-filled filo pastry –actually originated in India with the samosa. The idea of a filled pastry delicacy gradually made its way toward the Mediterranean and took on the unique flavors of new cultures, Riolo said.

Riolo, a culinary expert who specializes in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, has penned cookbooks, lectured and written about the connection between food and culture. Through her classes, which are usually attended by about 20 people and take place in an area home, she hopes to bring community members together around food. Students make about three to four dishes together and then sit down to enjoy the meal together — and to get to know each other a bit.

"When you have the same people coming over a period of time, they learn with you and grow," Riolo said.

Though the classes started out with congregants of the Potomac United Methodist Church, they have become so popular the church hopes to draw members of the community as well. Classes usually take place monthly on the second Sunday of the month at 2 p.m. The next cooking class will take place Jan. 18.

Experience level, Riolo said, isn't important. Classes are attended by everyone from "people who have only opened a can of soup to grandmothers who win bake-offs," she said.

To learn more about the event or to register for a spot in an upcoming class, contact Renee Antosh at 301-279-8987.

Kudos

Congratulations to Jason Bromley, son of Potomac residents Delores and Bill Oakes, who had his artwork on display at Salisbury University from Nov. 14 through Dec. 5. The exhibit was a part of the university's biannual Senior Art Show. Bromley is a 2004 graduate of Laurel High School, and is currently a senior at Salisbury University. He is majoring in art.

Winston Churchill students perform with Broadway stars

Students from Winston Churchill High School performed highlights from the Broadway hit "Rent" Nov. 30, marking the 20th anniversary of World AIDS day on Dec. 1. The performance took place at the Gala Theatre, located in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C, and half the original cast sang and acted in the piece. The musical deals with themes surrounding AIDS. "Youth leadership" was the theme for this year's World AIDS Day, which aims to raise awareness about the life-threatening virus.

The performance was sponsored by The Ariel Foundation International, a group the aims to involve youth in leadership, service and entrepreneurship, and is headed by Potomac resident Ariel King.

Local Scout

earns rare honor

Congratulations to Kayla Mason, 13, who earned the prestigious Girl Scout Silver Award, the highest recognition available to Cadette Girl Scouts. Cadette Girl Scouts are scouts in sixth through ninth grades. Mason, and eighth-grader at the Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, coordinated a week-long vacation bible school program titled "Rainforest Adventure."

The Silver Award, given only to a small percentage of Cadette Girl Scouts each year, requires that the scout demonstrate leadership and planning skills in executing a project that will have a positive impact on her community. The award requires scouts to undertake a minimum of 40 hours of planning and execution.

This column is for you. Send press releases, news tips and other information to Erin Donaghue by phone to 301-280-3007, by e-mail edonaghue@ gazette.net, by fax to 301-670-7183 or by mail to 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.