Save the Dates! Our Holiday Market is December 9 and we are kicking off the Epicurean Experiences for 2026.
Tuesday, December 9th, 9 AM-NOON
As the 7th annual Holiday Bakery & Market approaches, you are invited to don your aprons, dust off your cookbooks, thumb through your recipe file box, or go online and discover old and new favorites to ignite your holiday spirit. As in years past, remember that it takes a "Village" to make this event the most successful fundraising opportunity of the year as we raise money for our Wonderful Options fund.
We will, again, be featuring PRODUCTION BAKING where freshly baked breads come to you hot from the oven on the day of the event. The Fearrington Garden Club will also be sharing the same space with us on Tuesday and will offer a wide variety of gorgeous poinsettias that have been pre-ordered. Stay tuned for more details regarding the flower sale.
Don't miss this opportunity to SHOP, SOCIALIZE, and SUPPORT Women of Fearrington in the tastiest of fashion.
Volunteers are needed at the Gathering Place on Monday evening and throughout the day on Tuesday.
Please contact:
To donate baked items or to volunteer, contact Jo Bolig here
To donate hand-crafted items, contact Kate West here
If you are a baker, please bring your items in DISPOSABLE CONTAINERS to the Gathering Place between 6-8 p.m. on MONDAY, DECEMBER 8th. If you are a crafter with items to donate, please contact Kate West and bring them to the Gathering Place at that same time. If you would like to volunteer on Monday evening, the 8th, for set-up or during the day on Tuesday, the 9th, please contact Jo Bolig.
Are you interested in participating in any capacity? Please contact Jo Bolig here.
Women of Fearrington Epicurean Experiences
2026 Winter / Spring Series
Supporting the Women and Children of Chatham County
Epicurean Experiences is open to residents of Fearrington Village and Galloway Ridge. This year we are expanding our selections to include a variety of options and venues, as well as increasing the number of participants. This successful fundraiser includes a charitable donation to our Wonderful Options Fund in the price of the experience ($35 per class).
Registration
Online registration is easy. The registration process this year will be staggered to allow more of our members and residents to sign up for classes. All classes are advertised at once so that you have a preview even before registration opens. The registration date is provided for each class along with the link.
Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. You will receive an email confirmation of your completed registration. However, you are not guaranteed a spot until your payment has been received. If the class is already filled, you may complete the wait list section and someone will contact you if space becomes available.
To Pay by Credit Card
Once you've registered online, you can simply pay for your class(es) by clicking on the link to PayPal provided after you click Submit. You do not need to have a PayPal account to use your credit card.
To Pay by Check
After registering online, write a check to Women of Fearrington noting the class name(s) and date(s) (e.g.,Bread Baking, 2/13) on the memo line as well as on the outside of the envelope. Please place your payment in the Women of Fearrington mailbox in the Swim & Croquet kiosk (adjacent to the Gathering Place)
Refund Policy
We regret that we are unable to make refunds. However, you may have someone who lives in Fearrington or Galloway take your place.
Private Wine Tasting - Ladies of Italy
Wednesday, January 14, 5:45PM – 6:00PM Arrival
Seating at 6:00PM, Adjourn at 7:30PM
Instructor: Troy Revell
20 Participants
Price: $110 (includes $35 donation to Wonderful Options)
Location: The Belted Goat, Upper Level
We kick off our 2026 Epicurean Experience Series with Fearrington Wine Director Troy Revell as he takes us on a tour of selections by female Italian winemakers! Troy is presenting this tailored theme to celebrate the Women of Fearrington and their mission, focusing on a country with a history of male dominance in their industry that has recently been chipped away by trailblazing Italian women. From a country with so much to offer stylistically, we will present 6 unique wines from all over the Italian peninsula. Troy has been running monthly wine classes at Fearrington for two years and is excited to present a special version of this event.
These wines will be accompanied by plenty of light appetizers from the Galloway's Pub menu (we hear it's enough to make a meal!).
Troy is the Wine & Beer Director for Fearrington. He is a Certified Sommelier and has run Wine Spectator award-winning wine programs all around the Triangle, including at Bin 54 Steak & Cellar and the Umstead Hotel & Spa in addition to our own Fearrington House Inn. His love of food, wine, and people is the driving force in his career.
Registration opens December 8
Classic Brunch: Eggs Benedict with Variety
Saturday, January 24, 11:00AM – 2:30PM
Instructors: Alex Buie
12 Participants
Price: $65 (includes $35 donation to Wonderful Options)
Location: A home in Fearrington, address to be provided to those registered and paid
Brunch is always a special treat and this class will be no exception! This hands-on class focuses on the classic brunch food, eggs benedict, and how to make it several ways as well as how to invite vegetables to your breakfast table.
During this class, you will have the opportunity to learn how to make eggs benedict with a variety of prepared toppings including hollandaise and roasted roma tomatoes. You will walk away from this class knowing basic knife skills, how to poach an egg, English muffin batter techniques, roasting breakfast potatoes, and finally how to supreme (peel) an orange.
Mimosas will be offered (2 glasses per person), as well as water, coffee and fresh orange juice.
Alex Buie is a professional chef and has traveled the world. He currently works at Galloway Ridge as their plated dessert chef but has worked in a variety of restaurants and event venues, creating menus that fit perfectly for each event. He uses seasonal and local ingredients to make food nutritional and support local community sustainability practices.
Registration opens December 8
Bountiful Bread Baking
Friday, February 13, 9:00AM – 1:00PM
Instructors: Donna Fehrenbach & Colette File
10 Participants
Price: $45 (includes $35 donation to Wonderful Options)
Location: A home in Fearrington, address to be provided to those registered and paid
Choose from a variety of mouthwatering breads in this participation class with instructors Donna Fehrenbach and Colette File. Learn tips and techniques for baking Cinnamon Rolls, Pecan Sticky Buns, Hot Cross Buns, Challah, Babka, and both Cinnamon and Pizza Star Breads. This class includes lunch and goodies to take home - - just in time for Valentine's Day!
Donna Fehrenbach has been teaching bread baking for 30 years. She particularly enjoys teaching beginners to show them the wonder of fresh baked goods. Using her baking skills to benefit Chatham County nonprofits is her passion. Canadian-born Colette File met Donna, her bread baking soulmate, 16 years ago at a dinner party where Donna had baked the bread. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship that continues and takes them every week to SECU Family House in Chapel Hill to bake and share freshly baked delectables with families there.
Registration opens January 5
Passage to India
Saturday, March 7, 4:00PM-8:00PM
Instructor: Sharmila Udyavar
10 Participants
Price: $65 (includes $35 donation to Wonderful Options)
Location: A home in Fearrington, address to be provided to those registered and paid
Enjoy classic Indian dishes that are both flavorful and aromatic. You will first engage in watching Sharmila teaching and preparing an assortment of dishes. The main event is chicken tawa masala (marinated chicken cooked with spices on a griddle) accompanied by baingan bharta, lentils masala curry, Jeera (cumin flavored) rice, garlic naan, and vegetable raita. Then all will sit down for dinner and enjoy this stunning and bountiful spread. The evening will be topped off by a special dessert prepared in advance. Recipes will be provided for all dishes including those prepared in advance.
Sharmila, a busy, multi-lingual professional (in global affairs at UNC) delights in sharing her love for cuisines she explores around the world. In the past, she owned and operated an Indian restaurant, and today she loves to teach others how to cook Indian cuisine.
Registration opens January 5
The Sweet Side of Brunch
Saturday March 28, 11:00AM-2:30Pm
Instructors: Alex Buie
10 Participants
Price: $65 (includes $35 donation to Wonderful Options)
Location: A home in Fearrington, address to be provided to those registered and paid
Alex Buie returns to provide this hands-on class focused on the sweet side of brunch food. In this class we will be discussing liquid batters and how to make and store them. We will be making an assortment of seasonal muffins, crepes, and bread puddings that are easy to cook, as well as prepare ahead of time. You will walk away from this class knowing basic knife skills, how to make an assortment of batters, how to flip a crepe, and bread pudding.
A complimentary glass of French 75 (gin, pear, prosecco) will be offered as well as water, coffee and fresh pear juice.
Alex Buie is a professional chef and has traveled the world. He currently works at Galloway Ridge as their plated dessert chef but has worked in a variety of restaurants and event venues, creating menus that fit perfectly for each event. He uses seasonal and local ingredients to make food nutritional and support local community sustainability practices.
Registration opens February 2
Mangia! Handmade Pastas and Homemade Sauces
Tuesday, March 31, 5:00PM – 7:00PM
Instructor: Maria Ferraro Driver
20 Participants
Price: $85 (includes $35 donation to Wonderful Options)
Location: The Gathering Place
You are in for a treat with this pasta making course. Maria will guide you in making traditional egg based pasta along with hand rolled gnocchi, through demonstration and hands-on experience. Two sauces will be prepared with a focus on quick weeknight cooking but good enough for company: carbonara and cacio e pepe. Wine, still and sparkling water will be provided. Additional recipes will be included to further your culinary experience when you get home.
Students are asked to bring their favorite knife (chef size preferred), cutting board (large enough to knead dough such as 18x12 or 14x10), and an apron to participate fully in this class.
Maria Ferraro Driver moved to the area with her husband and young family in early 2023. Her background in culinary arts, along with strong Italian roots, led her to start Paccheri (pah-cuh-ree), offering online meal delivery, as well as personal chef and private catering services. Her dishes and menus reflect cuisine from all around the world, with a strong focus on Italian flavors, French techniques, and a farm to table approach. Maria believes food is a beautiful way to bring everyone together during many different seasons in life. It not only feeds the body, but feeds the heart and soul. Mangia!
Registration opens February 2
A Taste of Turkish Traditions
Saturday, April 18, 2:00PM – 4:00PM
Instructor: Refika Yousefi
15 Participants
Price: $75 (includes $35 donation to Wonderful Options)
Location: Sancar Turkish Cultural & Community Center
1609 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Join us for a hands-on class featuring light and flavorful dishes from Turkish cuisine. We will prepare and enjoy four Turkish favorites, perfect for serving as a healthy meal. Participants are welcome to take part actively - chopping, stirring and shaping dishes - or simply observe if you prefer.
Experience the authentic flavors of Turkey with a well-balanced menu that celebrates both comfort and culture. From the creamy richness of Circassian Chicken to the zesty freshness of Shephard's Salad, each dish is prepared with care and presented in harmony. enjoy the wholesome textures of Red lentil patties and finish with our tender, yoghurt-based Apple Cake - a sweet, light ending to a memorable meal. And of course, you will be served Turkish Cay (tea).
Registration opens February 2
Rafika leads the Turkish Cooking Classes at the Sancar Center in Chapel Hill. She has a strong passion for sharing traditional Turkish cuisine in a welcoming and interactive environment that allows participants to experience the job of authentic home-style cooking. Rafika's cooking journey began at a young age in Turkey. Over the years, cooking became a creative and joyful way to connect with others.
Women of Fearrington had another successful year of fundraising events in 2024-25. These events raised over $11,000, going directly to the Wonderful Options Fund. Thank you all for your generous participation.
Bluegrass Battleship Concert
An afternoon of toe-tapping, foot-stomping delight was provided by the band BLUEGRASS BATTLESHIP, a 6-piece band of vocalists and musicians.
Over $1900 was raised, which includes the raffle
Steve Baddour Piano Concert
Mr. Baddour provided lively entertainment with pieces ranging from European classical offerings to Latin American and African composers with some jazz in the mix. Proceeds were split between Fearrington Cares and Women of Fearrington. Our share was over $1200.
Holiday Bakery & Market
Providing a wide selection in baked goods, handcrafted cards, baskets and other items. This has become a holiday tradition and favorite of residents of Fearrington Village and Galloway Ridge. Over $7000 was raised.
Cooking Classes
Residents of Fearrington Village and Galloway Ridge learned from some of our own top cooks, who share their talents and techniques – and best of all – delicious tastes!
Over $1100 was raised.