2023 Cooking Class Dates Released!

Reservations for Spring classes begin February 20
Held in person at the Wallace House, Chef Katie mixes step-by-step demonstration with a dab of hands-on cooking. Gather around the dining table with other classmates to taste and enjoy the results. Classes begin at 5:30 pm and last about 2 hours. Bring your own wine to enjoy with the meal.
2023 Spring classes:
  • Monday, April 3: Sauce It Up! Bring some fresh and bright flavors to your favorite proteins with Italian Salsa Verde, Chermoula, and Agrodulce. You’ll taste them with roasted pork loin and spinach salad.
  • Monday, May 8: Cooking with Miso. Try Miso Chile-glazed Chicken over a Vegetable Slaw with Miso Sesame Vinaigrette. We’ll finish the dinner with Miso Caramel Sauce over Cardamom Ice Cream.
  • Monday, June 5: Summer Sides. Punch up your summer barbeques with Chef Katie’s go-to sides: Cantaloupe, Cucumber and Aged Cheddar Cheese with a Cilantro Jalapeno Vinaigrette; Warmed Leeks, Potatoes and Tomatoes with Herbs; and Roasted Beet and Fennel with Orange Vinaigrette.

2023 Fall dates (topics TBA):

  • Monday, October 23
  • Monday, November 13
  • Monday, December 4
Because our class experiences are planned from pre-registrations, fees are non-refundable if cancellation received less than 10 days before the event date. Refunds for reservations made by credit card will reflect a deduction of the transaction fees. Registrants are always welcome to send someone in their place if unable to attend.

Questions? Email Katie.

Private Cooking Classes

“A private class with Chef Katie incorporates all the elements I value in a shared group experience: learning, connecting, asking, and laughing. One of our team members noted that ‘the class was such a unique and thoughtful experience – a really wonderful way to come together as a team.’ ”—Eric T.

Private classes for groups are a fun way to gather folks from your office, book club or friend group. Chef Katie will work with you to pick just the right topic that will keep everyone talking long after the class is over. Prices are $60/person with a $600 minimum. Our maximum capacity is 12. Contact Katie to find out more details.

Rhubarb Recipes

Chef Katie released these recipes from her past rhubarb cooking class.

Rhubarb recipes


Keep in Touch

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“These recipes are on repeat!”–Jan

About Chef Katie

Chef Katie Porter has always enjoyed food and cooking. Originally from Mount Ayr, IA, she ventured to Keystone, CO where she attended the American Culinary Federation of Colorado Mountain College. Katie has traveled the country and beyond during her career, holding cooking positions at fine dining restaurants in Colorado, North Carolina, Chicago, the Caribbean and Europe, and at CSA farms in Wisconsin. She joined the Wallace Centers of Iowa in 2012.

Katie explores the agricultural side of the culinary world and the importance of knowing how and where food is grown. As Chef and Food Programs Manager at the Wallace House, Katie oversees farm to table dining, seasonal culinary classes and private events. Katie has appeared in numerous television, radio and print interviews, including Iowa Public Televison’s Iowa Ingredient. She was named one of the Iowa Restaurant Asssociation’s “40 Women to Watch” in 2022.