SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2025 | 2 PM
with Dr. Sevin Gallo of NWACC and Chef Vince Pianalto of Brightwater
Step into the HKS Kitchen to experience the warmth and wonder of Europe’s beloved Christmas markets in this immersive cooking class led by Chef Vince Pianalto and food historian Dr. Sevin Gallo. Together, they will guide you through the stories, flavors, and traditions that have made these festive gatherings a treasured winter ritual for centuries. You will be greeted with crêpes with boursin and bacon onion jam as an appetizer to set the mood. As you prepare two different European sweet seasonal treats, pfeffernüsse, a spiced German cookie with powdered sugar, and a Scottish shortbread, you’ll learn how these markets emerged, the roles they have played in community life, and how their culinary offerings reflect both local heritage and shared European holiday customs. Chef Vince will also instruct how to create gluhwein, an Austrian mulled wine cocktail. By the end of the class, you’ll leave not only with your handmade sweets, but also with a deeper appreciation for the history, atmosphere, and joy that make European Christmas markets such a magical tradition. Must be 21+ to attend this class. Recipes will be provided. Tickets are priced per person.
*All class ticket sales are final. No refunds or credit transfers to other classes are available. If you purchase a ticket and are unable to attend, please contact us to check our waitlist.*
MEET THE HISTORIAN:
Dr. Sevin Gallo, with a Ph.D. in modern Middle East and Latin American comparative world history and an MA and BA in European history, teaches world history through the lens of food at Northwest Arkansas Community College. Her honors classes meet at Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food and at local restaurants. In these non-traditional environments, students examine different historical processes while considering how food systems and food culture shape the human experience.
In addition to teaching world history, Sevin works as the Global Studies degree coordinator at NWACC and leads study abroad programs to Greece, Spain, Morocco, and Turkey. She loves traveling so much that she started a boutique group travel company in 2019 and now coordinates travel experiences that foreground authentic local cuisine within each destination's significant historical and cultural context. Her current group travel programs include Morocco, Argentina, Greece, Turkey, France, Spain, and Tanzania (including the famous spice island of Zanzibar).
MEET THE CHEF:
Brightwater Instructor Chef Vince Pianalto is originally from Springdale, AR, and credits his parents and grandmother for being instrumental in his enthusiasm for cooking. As a curious child, he enjoyed working alongside them to learn how to cook.
Vince’s work experience includes being an owner and chef of several area restaurants. Additionally, he has been the culinary coordinator for Williams-Sonoma in Rogers and a culinary instructor for Springdale High School and Springdale Public Schools. Vince joined Brightwater in 2016.
“I love teaching my craft to other interested people. Brightwater allows me to do that for a wide variety of students, and I love the team I work with at Brightwater. Also, working in such a fantastic environment and facility makes teaching so enjoyable,” he explained.
