Island Cooking Classes debuts St. Simons Island, GA

St. Simons Island, GA  Foodie Bobi Saal of Island Cooking Classes launches her art and cooking classes at historic King & Prince Beach and Golf Resort September 19-24.

"Experience Southern cuisine by stepping into the kitchens of amazing chefs and cook right along side of them," says Saal. "Capture the beauty of the island and create a piece of watercolor art."

The debut event features five nights of hands-on cooking, art and island fun. Attendance is limited to 6-12 people for this and all upcoming scheduled dates. Island Cooking Classes pricing begins at $2,440.

The itinerary is extensive – from daily Southern breakfast buffet at the King and Prince to classes, meals, shrimp boat excursion, receptions, photography island tour and wine tastings.

Full details are on Saal’s website including international and domestic suggestions for transportation. Classes include:

* Chef Dave Snyder holds ‘court’ every day at Halyards, one of St. Simons Island ’s most popular restaurants. Don your apron and prepare for his hands-on cooking classes that end with a gourmet luncheon and superb house wine. Using seasonally fresh and local foods, he’ll charm you with anecdotes from his years at the New England Culinary Institute and halcyon days in many of New York ’s finest establishments including The Essex House.

* Have fun with restaurateur/chef John Howton, savoring his famed ‘Low Country Boil’ served daily at Blackwater Grill. Their signature Cajun, low-country Southern coastal cuisine is usually standing-room-only

* From the culinary team at Canyon Ranch Resort & Spa to St. Simons Island , wellness Chef Laurie Erickson instructs on back-to-basics chef techniques, secrets and tricks that you’ll use forever. She’ll empower you with her philosophy that “Good cooking is 90% confidence”.

* Let yourself get swept away with the beauty of creating your own inspired watercolor coastal landscape with artist and instructor Louise Eaton. Relax, splash color on paper and enjoy a carefree afternoon as images of the island unfold.

St Simons Island resort offers great Spring getaway rates

St. Simons Island , GA  Celebrating the 75th Diamond Anniversary of The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island is offering a $129/nt* SPRING TO THE COAST GETAWAY for an Ocean Front/Ocean View Guest Room,  April 11 – April 15, 2010.

Try $75 60-minute massage treatments at The Royal Treatment Cottage with 3 massage treatment rooms – Custom Cottage massage, Swedish massage and Sport-Specific massage - or golf at the newly-restored award winning King and Prince Golf Course with $40 greens fee and cart.

DRIVE 75 MILES OR MORE TO KING AND PRINCE RESORT and stay 2 nights for a Bonus ‘Getaway’ giveaway: receive $75 Resort Credit for dining, massage therapy or golf 

*Rate is based on Hotel availability

Low Country Boil highlight of Eagle Island Getaway

It's officially autumn, but the Southeast is the perfect place to head when you just have to squeeze in one last getaway before the weather turns cold and recalcitrant.

If you've only experienced Hilton Head or Kiawah Island off the South Carolina coast, look a little deeper South for an experience more rustic, more authentic and definitely more relaxed - the Private Islands of Georgia's Eagle Island.

Whether you're looking to disappear with someone special or with a group of friends, this secluded 10-acre getaway is a find. Getaways can be customized.

Accessible only by boat, guests enjoy the spectacular Georgia salt marsh eco system, offshore/inshore fishing, blue crabbing, coastal cruises or full moon weekends in complete privacy. A 10-foot wraparound screened porch with hot tub and an outdoor fire pit are perfect for idling.

For those who can't leave their technology behind, there is WiFi and Direct TV. Rates start at $400 per couple per night. Round-trip boat transportation is provided with each visit.

Get owner Capt. Andy Hill to put on a low country boil for the end to a long and perfect autumn day on the coast. Wild Georgia shrimp, Andouille sausage, carrots, potatoes and corn make for some good Southern eating. Serve with deep dish corn bread and a few cold bottles of Reisling.

Low Country Boil

You don't have to be in the low country to enjoy this seasonal Southern shore specialty.

Note - outdoor gas cookers are typically used. A large pot on the range can also be used when outdoor gas cookers are not available. 

Fill a large pot with water. Leave enough room in the pot to accommodate the food in order to prevent over boiling. Bring water to a boil.

Next, prepare the Private Islands of Georgia Seasoning Blend (recipe below) and add to boiling water.

Note - Old Bay Seasoning can be substituted for the Private Islands of Georgia Seasoning Blend if desired

Private Islands of Georgia SPECIAL Seasoning Blend

Ingredients

2 sticks butter

1 cup black pepper

1/2 cup red pepper

1 cup garlic salt

1/2 cup seasoning salt

1/2 cup celery salt

10 lemons, halved and juiced

10 jalapeno peppers, seeded and thinly sliced

Melt butter in large sauce pan on low to medium heat.

Mix all of the dry ingredients in a bowl and stir with wire whisk. Pour contents of mixing bowl into melted butter and stir with wire whisk until well blended.

Pour fresh squeezed lemon juice into pan and stir. Add jalapeno pepper slices and stir. Add mixture to boiling water.

Low Country Boil  Ingredients

Note - other ingredients that can be added to personal taste are rutabagas, sweet potatoes, crabs, crawfish or the 'kitchen sink' - whatever textures and flavors you love

4 pounds shrimp

2 packages Andouille sausage cut into 1" slices - or substitute your favorite brand

8 onions, peeled and halved

16 new potatoes

4 ears of corn, halved

small bag of baby carrots

After adding the Private Islands of Georgia Seasoning Blend to the boiling water, you are now ready to add the remaining ingredients.

The food items are added in order of longest to shortest to cook.

First, add the potatoes and boil 10 minutes. Next, add the carrots, sausage and whole onions. Return to boil. Add corn and return to boil. Then, add the shrimp last. Cook until shrimp are pink in color, approximately 3-5 minutes. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp.

Have on hand extras like cocktail sauce, lemon wedges and don't forget plenty of napkins.