Snow, spice & everything nice: Deer Valley’s winter Creative Academy blends culinary arts with holiday traditions

Photo: by Deer Valley Resort

PARK CITY, Utah – Deer Valley Resort has announced a new lineup of seasonal classes and special events at its Creative Academy, featuring holiday-themed cooking and crafting workshops and an exclusive dining series with Michelin Star Chef Paco Morales in January.

The Creative Academy, which blends culinary and creative experiences, offers hands-on classes in holiday cooking, wine pairings, and seasonal crafts. The new schedule includes sessions on baking Deer Valley staples, creating appetizers and side dishes for holiday gatherings, and exploring new flavors in guided tastings.

“Fall and winter holiday traditions are undoubtedly marked by the food we share, and our hands-on Creative Academy classes provide fresh ideas and helpful techniques on how to prepare festive Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas favorites for a memorable holiday table,” said Jacob Musyt, Deer Valley Resort vice president of food and beverage. “We’re also excited to kick off 2025 with the next installment of our Taste of Luxury Series, featuring Michelin Star Chef Paco Morales and his inspired Andalusian cuisine.”

Creative Academy and Specialty Classes Schedule:

Thanksgiving Sides and Salads – Saturday, Nov. 23 & Sunday, Nov. 24 | $75
Attendees will learn techniques for preparing classic Thanksgiving side dishes and salads.

Christmas Sweet Treats – Saturday, Nov. 30 | $80
Guests will make holiday-themed confections, including cookies and candies.

Winter Transitional Wreath Workshop – Dec. 1, 2024
Participants will create custom winter greenery arrangements, using fresh flowers and seasonal foliage.

Gingerbread House Decorating – Dec. 7-23, 2024
This family-friendly session guides guests in decorating gingerbread houses with frostings and candies.

January and February 2025 Classes and Events:

The new year’s classes begin on Jan. 4 with South American Sweet Treats, where participants will make alfajores and coconut praline. On Jan. 5, “Anything Can Be Soup” explores how to transform everyday dishes into inventive soups. The Jan. 11-12 session will teach the recipe for Deer Valley’s signature carrot cake, while the Taste of Luxury Series with Chef Paco Morales runs from Jan. 10-12, featuring a VIP reception and a six-course Andalusian-inspired dinner created in collaboration with Deer Valley’s culinary team.

Following the luxury dining series, a whiskey tasting with High West Distillery on Jan. 18 will offer a guided exploration of select spirits. The Bread Lovers Dream workshop on Jan. 25-26 focuses on bread-baking fundamentals, while Winter Stews on Feb. 1 introduces methods for crafting hearty, seasonal dishes. Additional February sessions include Wine Education on Feb. 2, covering tasting techniques and food pairings, and Cake Decorating on Feb. 16, where participants can develop skills for creating professional-quality cakes.

From seasonal cooking classes to immersive tastings, Deer Valley’s Creative Academy aims to offer a range of experiences for guests to explore culinary skills and holiday traditions. Learn more here.