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Alabama Cooking Schools

Alabama's food reflects its southern character. The state's major edible crops -- peanuts, pecans and peaches -- find their way onto menus in a variety of delightful ways. Although plenty of standard American and Continental restaurants can be found, concentrate on eating in places that give a taste of traditional down-home southern cooking. Be sure to have grits or biscuits and gravy for breakfast, and real southern barbecue (pork -- not beef). Don't miss the pork ribs at Dreamland if you're in Tuscaloosa -- they're the stuff that dreams are made of. Chicken is served in a variety of ways, from fried to stewed to fricasseed. Fried catfish with hush puppies is another local favorite.

Local vegetable dishes include fried okra, fried green tomatoes, sweet-potato souffle, collard greens and black-eyed peas. Seafood can be very good along the coast -- the large shrimp festival held in Gulf Shores each fall offers some especially good eating. Mobile has a strong tradition of Creole cuisine. For dessert, try the pecan pie and peach and dewberry (a local berry) cobblers.

If you drink alcohol, no visit to the state is complete until you've had at least one mint julep, a cocktail of bourbon, sugar and sprigs of fresh mint over ice. But be aware that there are still quite a few dry counties within the state, meaning alcohol is prohibited.

Alabama Cooking Schools
To learn more, click on the "Request Information" link below next to the program you are interested in. There is no cost or obligation. Request information from as many schools as you like.