What’s better than a cooking class from The Well Traveled Fork featuring ingredients and cocktails from Bendistillery?

That’s a trick question, because duh—the answer is nothing.

That was my experience the other night when I had the divine pleasure of attending Chef Bette’s Cocktail Party Cooking Class. With 20 years as a professional chef and caterer who trained in Italy, France, and state-side, Chef Bette knows a thing or two about creating culinary ecstasy.

Chef Bette kicks off the Cocktail Party Cooking Class by introducing Alan Dietrich from Bendistillery.

As if the prospect of Chipotle Shrimp Cocktail with Mazama Infused Pepper Vodka or Tiramisu with Cofia-Hazelnut Espresso Vodka wasn’t enough to leave me drooling, Alan Dietrich from Bendistillery paired the perfect cocktail with every single dish (mango martinis with the shrimp dish and Cofia vanilla coffee with the tiramisu, in case you’re wondering).

We heard about different types of salt and the best way to roast fennel and onions. We discovered Chef Bette’s secret ingredient for great tiramisu. We ate and laughed and drank and had such a good time it was easy to forget we were all there to learn.

The class was one of many offerings from The Well Traveled Fork for locals and Bend tourists alike. Chef Bette offers a jam-packed calendar of regular cooking classes and culinary tours in and around Bend.

Chef Bette explains how to strain ingredients for the Tomato Soup with Cascade Mountain Gin.

Classes change regularly and range from kids’ cooking to holiday desserts to wood-fired pizzas.

The Well Traveled also offers a wide array of culinary tours. The Farm and Ranch Tour gives guests a close-up look at where their food comes from. The Round-About Bend Tour is a chance to see Bend’s best roundabout art, while en-route to the best bakery, coffee shop, grocery store, cookware shops, and wine café in town.

You can find a complete listing of all tours and classes on The Well Traveled Fork website. Both require 72 hours notice and make an excellent break from all your Bend recreation.

Oh, and here’s an added bonus this winter – flash your Mt. Bachelor lift ticket and get two culinary classes for the price of one. Grab a friend and bring your appetite!