dsmWeekly: November 22, 2023

Cassandra Spence, better known as Chef Cass, opened the Culinary Annex in Valley Junction with a party on Sept. 29. Photo: Brittany Brooke Crow

FOOD AND DINING

Take a cooking class with Chef Cass and crew

Writer: Michael Morain

If or when you get your fill of turkey and gravy, take some Tums, a nap and a hike over to Valley Junction. A new place called the Culinary Annex opened in September to offer classes on making ceviche, pupusas, sushi and other dishes the Pilgrims never even knew they were missing.

But the spirit of that first Thanksgiving applies here, too. “It’s definitely about camaraderie and not competition,” said the owner, Cassandra Spence. “I want to share food and share knowledge in a way that brings people together.”

Better known as Chef Cass, Spence grew up in Des Moines and developed an adventurous palate early on. (As she tells it, her grandmother once declared, “She is the only baby I know with breath that smells of onions and mushrooms.”) She studied art at Morningside College in Sioux City before moving to New York, where she explored the city’s famously diverse food scene.

She eventually returned to Iowa, earned a degree from DMACC’s Iowa Culinary Institute and started teaching cooking classes at the Des Moines Social Club in 2016. After it closed, she taught classes here and there until opening the Culinary Annex this fall at 304 Fifth St. in West Des Moines.

It offers public and private classes led by Chef Cass and a growing roster of other locals with various specialties. Even the class names are tempting: Bibimbap it Up, Give it a Thai, Dim Sum & Then Some and — who could resist? — Dumpling Extravaganza! Chef Cass recently hosted a “quirky turkey” class and a drag brunch where one Crimson B offered tips to make an omelet, garnish a bloody mary and rock an apron.

From 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday, swing by the Culinary Annex to pick up discounted gift cards for classes. Plus, the Waffles & Whip food truck will be parked right outside, in case you get a post-Thanksgiving hankering for hot cocoa and a Belgian waffle slathered in whipped cream, Nutella or any other decadent toppings that would have scandalized the folks at Plymouth Rock.

And for that, let us give thanks.

Asha (voiced by Oscar winner Ariana DeBose) bumps into some magic in the new movie "Wish." Photo: Disney

BEST BET

Dinner and a show: Flicks to follow the family feast

So, the whole family rolled into town (or you rolled into their town) for a Thanksgiving feast . . . and now what? If you’re looking for some post-pie entertainment, you could play cards with the aunties — or you could laugh, cry or scream at the heap of new movies hitting theaters instead. Since the SAG-AFTRA strikes muffled Hollywood’s marketing machine, allow us to offer our own recommendations.

“Wish” (PG)
For families with little ones, there’s nothing better than a new Disney musical. This new animated fantasy follows young Asha, whose wish conjures a cosmic sidekick named Star to help her save her kingdom from the evil King Magnifico. (Local showtimes)

“The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” (PG-13)
Action-adventure fans will appreciate “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” the latest addition to the dystopian world of “The Hunger Games.” This prequel puts future president Coriolanus Snow in the hot seat as the 10th annual Hunger Games commences, forcing him to choose whether to save himself or the ones he loves. (Local showtimes)

“Next Goal Wins” (PG-13)
If you’re in the mood for something lighter, try Taika Waititi’s newest sports comedy, “Next Goal Wins.” Here, the World Cup is at stake for the American Samoa soccer team when its down-on-his-luck coach tries to make the team, um . . . at least functional. Ted Lasso fans can relate. (Local showtimes)

“Saltburn” (R)
If Sofia Coppola’s “Marie Antoinette” and Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out” had a psychological thriller baby, you’d get “Saltburn,” directed by Emerald Fennell. An Oxford University misfit named Oliver gets invited to spend the summer at the estate of a wealthy classmate and his eclectic family. (Local showtimes)

“The Holdovers” (R)
Folks who are already in a Christmas mood can enjoy a new holiday comedy-drama, “The Holdovers,” about a ragtag group of characters who stay behind at their New England prep school over the holiday break. Will they form a friendship and find the true meaning of Christmas? Probably, but you’ll have fun watching it anyway. (Local showtimes)

The Week Ahead

Holiday Hullabaloo (10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 23; plus special hours through Dec. 31): The pop-up wonderland at 10320 Hickman Road in Clive opens this weekend with more kid-friendly attractions than you could shake a candy cane at: Santa’s workshop, Mrs. Claus’ cookie-decorating kitchen, a toddler reindeer corral, a sock skating rink, a giant gingerbread house. And so. Much. More.

Festival of Trees and Lights, (11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday): The 40th annual pop-up forest takes temporary root at the Iowa Events Center to raise funds for Blank Children’s Hospital. Besides the trees, the event offers live music and dance performances, a scavenger hunt, craft activities, a holiday gift shop and a certain VIP from the North Pole.

Santa’s Rock N Lights (5-9 p.m. Friday through Dec. 31): Starting this weekend, this holiday light show ignites the night at Living History Farms in Urbandale. Visitors drive through almost a mile of illuminated dinosaurs, polar bears and peacocks that dance along to festive tunes. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Dome After Dark (6-10 p.m. Fridays through March 29): Before your hibernation instincts kick in, venture out to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden to breathe in all that lovely, humid oxygenated air. This year’s Dome After Dark evenings start this weekend, with colorful lights that cast the conservatory in a twinkly glow, and various special programs that focus on winter flower arrangements (Dec. 1) and cocoa and crafts (Dec. 8).

Vintage Fest (10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday): More than 20 vendors from across the state offer a curated array of vintage clothing from the ’50s to Y2K at the Decades Event Center, attached to the Picker Knows in West Des Moines. A cash bar and baked goods from Creme Cupcake Bar will help you get over the horror of early aughts fashion being called “vintage.”

Small Business Saturday (various times): Skip Black Friday’s big-box hassle and support local businesses instead. Explore Mainframe Studios (10 a.m.-2 p.m.), pick up sweet treats and home goods from local vendors at Valley West Mall (noon-4 p.m.), head to Historic Valley Junction for a 9 a.m. Reindeer Run and extended shopping hours, and discover new businesses at an inaugural event at Uptown Garage Brewing (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) in Ankeny.

ARTS AND CULTURE
Arts mean business: Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and events contribute nearly $310 million a year to the Central Iowa economy, according to a report released last week. The report from a survey conducted by Americans for the Arts examined the economic impact of arts and culture on the region in 2022, including jobs, wages, salaries and tax revenue. Sally Dix, executive director of Bravo Greater Des Moines, said the data contained in the report shows how important the arts and culture sector is to the community. Read more about the report’s findings for Central Iowa in the Business Record.

Just like the stars of “The Great British Baking Show,” Blandine Nadia Ahissou makes pastry look easy, even with all the layers of chilled butter the laminating process requires to produce flaky and tender results. From that base, the owner of Nadia’s French Bakery crafts sweet and savory pastries like chocolate croissants and pains aux raisins.

Ahissou has been selling pastries from her home kitchen in Altoona for the past few years and at various farmers markets, pop-up sales and coffee shops. Next month she plans to open her own patisserie at 2705 Grand Ave.

We spoke with her back in March to find out how she got started and what she most likes to bake.