Cooking classes at La Gemma Fine Italian Pastries have become so popular that the bakery has added new classes just for kids to its spring lineup. The kids’ class schedule kicks off April 7, with a session on simple and delicious appetizers.

“We’ve had so many customers asking if they could bring their children,” said Patrizia Denton, who covers sales and marketing for the bakery. “So we figured, why not give it a try?”

Kids age 10 and up may attend classes on their own or with an adult. Adult-only classes are also part of the spring series.

Denton says that many customers like to attend the entire series because it begins with appetizers and ends with dessert so all of the classes together create a complete meal. There will be a class on homemade pasta and sauces, one on gnocchi and one on pizza. The dessert class will focus on pastry cream, a custard that’s used with a wide variety of desserts.

All classes begin at 6 p.m. and run about two hours. Pre-registration is required. Classes are $40 per person per class ($30 for kids’ classes) or $70 per person for two classes and $100 per person for three classes. Visit La Gemma's website for the full class schedule.

With Easter just days away, La Gemma is still taking special orders for some items. Some of the Italian specialties it will have on hand while supplies last include Colomba, a traditional Easter sweet bread, topped with sugared almonds; Pastiera, a pie filled with wheat kernels, ricotta and pastry cream; and Ricotta pie with or without chocolate chips. The bakery will also be making Easter lamb cakes: a classic pound cake covered in buttercream frosting, available in vanilla, lemon or coconut.

La Gemma Fine Italian Pastries is located at 2323 S. 17th St.

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