Cooking chores are often shared in todays households, but that was not always the case. Many men have never had cooking responsibilities until life circumstances thrust cooking chores upon them. &bsp;

The Tryon Kiwanis Club/Cooperative Extension Mens Cooking Class offers a fun and friendly way for any man to learn basic skills, whether cooking is a new responsibility or a new interest. Some students take the course as a refresher to skills learned in the military or other settings.

The 2010 Mens Cooking Class begins Tuesday, March 2, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and runs for 10 weeks on Tuesday mornings at the Extension Center in Columbus. Each class includes instruction, hands-on practice, and a lunch prepared by class members. The class ends in May with a gala graduation ceremony and luncheon at the Stone Hedge Inn.

Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Tryon and North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Polk County Center, the Mens Cooking Class has been a popular spring event since 1986.

Men take the course for a variety of reasons personal interest, increased cooking responsibilities due to loss of or disability of a spouse, and more than one at the urging of his spouse. Whatever the reason, participants learn basic cooking skills, have fun, and enjoy fellowship with class members. Laughter is a key ingredient used in each class.

The course also covers topics such as meal planning, buying and storing food, healthy eating, shopping on a budget, food safety, microwave cooking, and special classes on seafood and Italian cooking. No cooking experience is required.

Jimmi Buell, Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences, will be the instructor for the class.

There is a fee for the class, and registration is required. Class size is limited, so sign up soon. For more information, or to register, call the Polk County Extension Center at 828-894-8218.