Ever fancy learning how to prepare a batch of authentic Texas chili, fajitas, even a Hill Country Tuscan feast? Fischer & Wieser, the team behind Das Peach Haus, have just launched a new venture, Fischer & Wieser’s Culinary Adventure Cooking School, deep in the heart of Texas Hill Country.
The two-hour classes are led by New Orleans native John de Mers, author of 56 books, local radio show host and food columnist. He started out as a news and feature writer in the south who began to write about chefs. Soon enough, he landed a dream job at UPI as their food editor and travelled the world for three years as part of the gig.
After those illustrious years on the road sampling cuisine from South America to Europe, he began to write books on travel, food and wine, amongst other topics.
His first TV show was on Good Morning Phoenix. Adding to the repertoire were live cooking demos in shopping malls and later, cooking classes.
It was when Mark Wieser and Case Fischer came onto a Houston radio show he hosted that John became acquainted with their speciality food company. Subsequent guest spots on the show cemented a friendship that would later branch out into this newly-formed, hands-on cooking school.
Fischer & Wieser’s culinary courses include a four-course lunch, brunch or dinner with wines from the Hill Country (now America’s second most visited viticultural region following Napa Valley) and range in price from $60 to $65. Dishes showcase regional ingredients served up with lively commentary on food and area history.
As John’s preparing chili, he explains that true Texas chili (aka chili con carne, emphasis on the carne) never contains beans. Soon enough we’re working together on a batch of blood orange cinnamon-stuffed French toast topped with confectioners’ sugar and John’s ultra-tasty brandy preserve sauce.
The school can also accommodate vegetarians and other dietary lifestyles upon booking. Groups (from eight to 20) can be customized.
Once you’re through enjoying the feast, walk though the shop in front and marvel at some of the fabulous preserves and award-winning Original Roasted Raspberry Chipotle Sauce.
The iconic sauce has just celebrated its 20th anniversary with a hardcover cookbook, showcasing a flavour that’s inspired thousands of at-home chefs. Inside the book are a variety of over 75 savoury and sweet sauce-based recipes from appetizers to dessert.
Das Peach Haus is where it all started — Case and Mark’s jams and jellies are made from peaces grown onsite in the orchard that Case’s father began in the late 1920’s.
Their latest endeavour is a line of Food Trk Fusion sauces, developed in conjunction with the San Antonio-based H-E-B supermarket chain.
Asian-inspired Food Trk Fusion sauces Gochujang Unchained Glaze (with sambal and black bean paste), Knock U on Your Asphalt Sauce (black garlic and spices), Dang ‘Jang BBQ Sauce (using peaches and molasses) are joined by Yo Soy La Sriracha and Katy’s Peri Peri Sauce.
Fischer & Wieser’s 150+ products are able to be shipped across the country and abroad. I’ve heard they’re also sold in Canada.
Find Fischer & Wieser and Das Peach Haus at 1408 South US Hwy 87 in Fredericksburg, Texas. They’re open Sunday through Friday, 10 am to 5:30 pm and on Saturdays from 9 am to 6 pm.
