We are proud to partner with local chefs, caterers, bakers, and some wonderful cooks to bring you a wide variety of inspiring classes!
Michael Hastings has been the food editor at the Winston-Salem Journal since 2000. His 30 years of journalism experience includes stints as a copy editor and assistant features editor. Each week, Michael writes a weekly column, feature, and other stories for the Journal’s Wednesday food section. He also writes wine reviews and other food stories for other sections of the paper, maintains a blog on the paper’s website, makes regular media and personal appearances, and is active on Twitter and Facebook. Before entering the newspaper business, Michael made his living as a chef in several Winston-Salem restaurants. He has a B.A. in English from Wake Forest University. He is married with two children, who are both staunch supporters and tough critics of his cooking.
I grew up on a farm in North Carolina and learned to cook from my mother and grandmothers. Much of our food came from the garden and the cows, pigs, and chickens my granddad raised (all free-range, no hormones or antibiotics as far as I remember). Our food was very local and farm-to-table when it wasn’t chic. The 4-H Club was very active in my rural farming community and I was even the Mecklenburg County Corn Meal Muffin Champ and proud winner of my first hand mixer!
Even after a failed restaurant, a brief career in banking and a move to New York City my culinary interest persisted. I eventually enrolled in the Professional Program at Peter Kump’s New York Cooking School (now the Institute of Culinary Education) and launched A Matter of Taste, a full-service catering company which I successfully operated in the Big Apple for almost 20 years. I also became certified as a Health Coach at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. When my husband and I returned to NC I began teaching cooking classes at Southern Home & Kitchen, which has been a pleasure. I love good food and have discovered that I enjoy sharing my experience and cooking tips with others. It’s fun and I hope you’ll join me for a class sometime.
Nissa Vogel
Nissa Vogel has taught elementary school for 16 years and has taught cooking classes for over 13 years. She loves working with children and helping them find joy in cooking!
Nguyet Nguyen
Chef Nguyet Nguyen has a passion for desserts and pastries, as it brings her joy and fuels her creative spirit. She is a classically trained pastry chef with over 15 years of experience. Chef Nguyet refined her skills and palate by traveling, competing, and working for renowned culinary establishments. She aims to inspire dessert lovers, from the novice baker to dessert aficionados, to explore and create delectable treats.