Want to learn how to properly prepare and smoke brisket or chicken? How about the best appetizers to serve during your Super Bowl party? Maybe you’re interested in exploring beekeeping but don’t know where to start.
These things and more can be learned by singing up for one of Belmont College’s #BeCommunity virtual education classes. The classes are spearheaded by the Workforce Development and Community Education department.
Director Melissa Rataiczak explained it’s an extension of the college’s community education program, but as with all things COVID, adjustments needed making to shift to virtual classes.
“We had to change the way we do things,” Rataiczak said. “It took s us a while to get there but we’ve been offering the #BeCommunity classes probably since November.
“We don’t have tons and tons of enrollment, but interest is growing and we’ve very happy with the enrollment we have. People are really starting to get interested and are calling to register.”
Each semester brings about different classes, each with a different cost as some require materials. There is also a monthly virtual book club meeting that is free of charge.
“The book club meets once a month and our first meeting was in January and we had a really good response to that,” Rataiczak said. “People enjoyed the fact that they could gather with others (virtually) and talk about a common subject.
“It was very comforting for them.”
Next Class Up
The next class scheduled takes place Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and will be taught by Salsa Joe’s owner and grill master Tom Strussion.
Strussion’s class is entitled “Smoking Meats Virtual Workshop” and will cost $15 for those attending.
Because of the use of Zoom instead of in-person instruction, Strussion said he plans to fashion his class after some of the cooking shows people are used to seeing.
“We’ll go over spices and how to put things together, what I use, how to cut the mean and we’ll go over the process,” Strussion said. “We’ll have one cooked and not cooked, we’ll show the smoker and talk about chicken, pork, and beef.
“We’ll talk how to prep, how long to cook different kinds of meat on the smoker and show a before and after shot of what it will look like.’
Strussion is an Ohio Valley native who moved back relatively recently and opened Salsa’s Joe Smokehouse of U.S. 40 just West of St. Clairsville.
He first owned a bar and grill in Nashville where his specialty was pork. It wasn’t a big draw in Nashville. But, once he moved to Texas, his views quickly changed.
“I had never smoked meat, but in Texas, everyone does it there,” Strussion said. “That’s where I learned how to smoke brisket and all the other meats. Nobody asks for brisket in Nashville.
“But when you move to Texas, you better have your brisket.”
Strussion utilizes a commercial-sized smoker at Salsa Joe’s, but noted that you don’t have to purchase anything near as extravagant to get started in smoking your meats.
In fact, he got his start using a Masterbuilt smoker that you can purchase from stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot.
“My first store that I opened (in Texas) I used a Masterbuilt and I smoked using that,” Strussion said.
Equipment isn’t the key ingredient in smoking meat—it’s patience. Properly smoking meat, especially brisket, takes A LONG time. But the taste is always worth the wait.
“The biggest aspect is time commitment,” Strussion said. “You can’t rush the meat. You think ‘I’ll put on these pork chops in the pan and they’ll be ready quickly. Cooking a brisket, it’s 18-22 hours fully cooked.
“With a chicken, you can do it for two and a half hours to make it good. But brisket takes a long time.”
How to Register
Following Strussion’s class, there is a class on Superbowl Appetizers this Saturday, a class on Beekeeping on February 11, making a Chunky Knit Blanket workshop on February 13, and a Cricut Tutorial for Beginners on February 20.
To register, simply go to the registration page and fill out the form, or call (740) 699-3868. Payment can be made via cash, check, or credit card.
There are frequent craft classes available that attendees of all ages can enjoy as well.
“There is a woman, originally from Shadyside, who does crafting classes online because she has an etsy shop and she’s looking for ways to supplement,” Rataiczak said. “We asked her if she was interested in partnering and we’ve been offering craft classes since.”
Rataiczak explained that those that sign up are sent a DIY kit prior to the class that contains everything you need to make the item. In December, a Christmas wreath was made for the holidays.
“She sends the cutout, the right amount of paint and ribbon, everything that you need to get set to make the craft,” Rataiczak said. “Then once the instructional class begins, she walks you step-by-step how to make the item.
“There are different skill levels. Some the kids are able to do and some are too advanced. But the class description promotes the expertise level needed for each.”
