Girlfriends Get Festive in the Kitchen and Kick Off the Holiday Season
“Festive in a Flash – Holiday Shortcuts” Event by Taste of Home Heads to The Abbey Resort

FONTANA, WI – Oct. 12, 2009 – Before hanging the mistletoe and decking the halls for the holidays, women – and men too – can prepare and plan for the season at the “Taste of Home Cooking School Made Easy”event called, “Festive in a Flash – Holiday Shortcuts.” 

Just in time for holiday planning, the event is coming to The Abbey Resort Nov. 20-22, 2009.  Throughout this special getaway weekend, guests can enjoy holiday-inspired cooking demonstrations, learn tasty secrets from culinary specialists and experience the newly-renovated Avani Spa. 

Entry into the “Festive in a Flash – Holiday Shortcuts” event is $15 per person, and reduced to $12 per ticket for guests of The Abbey Resort.    
“This popular festival is a fun way for women to get into the spirit of the holiday season, while expanding their recipe collections and tips for simple but sophisticated holiday entertaining,” said Sue Thune, director of activities for The Abbey Resort & Spa.  “Combined with a weekend stay at The Abbey Resort, this is a perfect package for a girlfriends’ getaway weekend before the frenzy of the holidays starts.”

The weekend is jam-packed with activities to spread holiday cheer, including:

• A holiday cooking demonstration by Taste of Home culinary specialists at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 21.  Participants will learn how to make popular dishes, such as the Smoked Sausage-Spinach Salad and Italian Mini-Frittatas.
• Holiday shopping, gifts and specialty food featuring numerous vendors and artisans preceding and following the cooking demonstration. This also includes holiday shopping at the Avani Spa from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 21.
• A featured spa treatment called the Peppermint Twist – it’s quick and affordable for 25-minute facial or massage treatments with seasonal scents at $60 for the massage and $70 for the facial.
• Free gift bag with free products, coupons and magazines, and door prizes throughout the show.           

Taste of Home is the world’s largest cooking magazine, and hosts more than 300 local cooking schools throughout the United States each year.

“Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just getting started in the kitchen, the cooking school events are a great way to refine your skills and learn new recipes,” said Karen Davis, who is a culinary specialist for Taste of Home with a bachelor of science from Iowa State University.  “This is the first year that we’ll be at The Abbey Resort and we’re excited to offers their guests holiday dishes that will impress their families and friends.  Plus, we have countless time-saving and money-saving tips to share with attendees since the holidays should be about spending time with family, not breaking the bank.”