Truffles & Trifles

Truffles & Trifles is a cooking school on West Smith Street in Orlando. Marci Arthur founded it 38 years ago, and she still teaches alongside a staff of classically trained chefs. In 2008 the Orlando Sentinel named her to its first Culinary Hall of Fame. She was one of only 10 people chosen from across Central Florida.

Public classes mostly run in the evening, 6:30 to 10 pm, and the lineup follows the season. Late fall brings Thanksgiving Side Dishes, Turkey Dinners and a Saturday morning Christmas Cookies class. Other themes include Northern Italian, Tuscan Italian, Amazing Thai, Moroccan, Hawaiian and Amazing French Bistro. Homemade Pasta comes up often. Most classes cost $70 to $75.

The kitchens also host plenty of private bookings. Companies come in for team building, and recent private events have ranged from 12 to 30 guests. Kids' birthday parties are open to ages 7 to 18. The children pick the menu and cook the whole meal, from appetizers to a scratch birthday cake and homemade ice cream. There is also a kids' summer cooking camp.