Baking students in Manassas Park will have something new to look forward to this week, and it comes in watermelon pink.
Jason Shriner, The Aubergine Chef, is donating a watermelon-pink KitchenAid® mixer to the Manassas Park Community Center where he teaches his popular baking and pastry classes.
"I recently attended an Eat Write Retreat, a food blogger convention that took place in Philadelphia, and won a KitchenAid® mixer. We've been needing mixers for over a year now, so this was perfect timing," Shriner explained.
Students have had to use his personal mixers or bring in their own stand mixers to participate, but with generous donations from Shriner and the community, the program has opened up to allow for students of all backgrounds to participate, whether they’re new to baking or a bit more seasoned.
"Professional hands-on cooking classes were always our goal, and Jason brings that to us," said Tony Thomas, recreation supervisor."He's been a huge help launching the culinary program, including recruiting additional instructors.”
In addition to the 5-quart KitchenAid® artisan stand mixer, Shriner is also donating several OXO tools and an 8-inch Calphalon® pan. All these tools are brand new from the food blogger conference. Shriner looks for sturdy, long-lasting kitchen tools, which he says these brands consistently provide.
"Many people don't realize that Prince William County is ranked as the seventh wealthiest county in the nation. The students who take the classes here will go out and purchase the equipment they learn with here. It's important to me that they get to use the best equipment and equipment they can easily get a hold of."
Shriner and Thomas are continuing to work with the sponsors of the convention to create a community outreach program. They are excited that the sponsors have been very receptive to the idea, and more donations directly from the companies may be on their way.
Shriner said that if the community would like to bring in tools to donate, the community center needs KitchenAid® stand mixers, rubber spatulas, whisks, knives, stainless steel bowls, digital scales, pots, pans and metal cake turntables.
The Aubergine Chef is an online baking and pastry blog with free video demonstrations and recipe downloads. Jason Shriner teaches baking classes at the Manassas Park Community Center and offers private classes for individuals and groups. You can visit his site at www.TheAubergineChef.com.
The Manassas Park Community Center is located at 99 Adams St. and is committed to the provision of quality leisure services for the residents of Manassas Park. They offer an ever-growing list of programs and activities for all ages. For more information visit: manassasparkcommunitycenter.com.
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