Comfort Cooking
As many of us return to the kitchen, pivot to porch parties and socialize in small groups, Keith Robinson reminds us to take satisfaction in simple pleasures, at a time we need it most
Elevating the art of everyday living is second nature for Keith Robinson.
After all, the celebrated tastemaker has orchestrated some of the cityβs most stylish soirees through his event design company, Gloriosa. And while his core focus these days is choreographing the design and creation of beautiful garden and landscape projects across the South (Robinson studied environmental design at university), the renowned host is still sharing his knowledge with others on all things culinary, in the garden and at the table.
Home for Robinson is Redwine Plantation, a 19th-century residence just south of Atlanta in Palmetto, Georgia. Itβs also the site of his intimate and socially distanced lifestyle seminarsβdubbed βRedwine Sessionsββwhich cover an array of topics on living the good life and reflect the spirit of each season. Summer classes may have an emphasis on gardening, while Decemberβs classes feature Robinsonβs unique imprimatur on the holidays. βThe January cooking sessions will be focused on comfort food in different genres,β says Robinson. βFrom casseroles to soups and stews to roasting to dessertsβall of it.β
Regardless of season or topic, whether itβs braising, pruning plants or amending garden soil, he adds that his students are craving this sort of 360-degree approach to cooking, gardening and entertaining, even if itβs just for the people in their immediate households. Robinson is also quick to point out that the advice he shares with his students will serve them well long after theyβve left the comfort of the Redwine teaching pavilion, where classes are held.
βWhen people are provided the elements theyβre working with, and given hands-on instruction, and the license to create without restriction, theyβre a lot more free,β says Robinson. βItβs been beautiful to see people have these breakthroughs.β One student actually cried with gratitude after one of the classes, he confesses. βShe said, βI didnβt know entertaining could be this easy.ββ With a teacher like Robinson, thereβs no doubt any one of us could become the host or hostess of our own dreams.
For information on upcoming classes, follow @RedwineSessions on Instagram, or send an email to [email protected].