By Irena Choi Stern

Aug. 19, 2015:  Five years ago, when Denise Leemputte began teaching a cooking class at the Bronxville Adult School, she probably never thought it would create a following. But with the fall catalogues just hitting homes, she already has two former students eager to register.

"Every season I'm there," said Nancy DeBarros, "I've taken many of her classes. She makes everything very easy and simple, yet it comes out like a gourmet meal that you slaved over."

Christina DiMinno attends not only to learn from Leemputte, but said, "The people that come, we create such friendships."

Leemputte joins a top roster of instructors, including longtime Bronxville resident Nancy Contessa, an acclaimed home chef who has taught cooking at the Bronxville Adult School since 2007 and whose classes consistently sell out.   

The fall catalogue includes 171 courses, ranging from the always-popular trips and lectures to computer skills, fitness, business courses, and languages. Founded in 1942, the Bronxville Adult School takes the approach that learning can and should be stimulating and fun. Most classes are held at The Bronxville School, so, for lifelong learners, there is easy access to strengthen a skill set or learn a new one.

Because of her husband's banking career, Leemputte lived for 20 years in London, Paris, and Hong Kong, developing her cooking skills by taking courses at top-flight schools in those countries. Along for the ride were their two daughters, Grace and Anna. When the family moved to Bronxville in 2009, Leemputte met Julie Jackson, then chair of the Bronxville Adult School, who encouraged her to share her talents.

"Just because you're good at something doesn't mean you can't learn something new," Leemputte said. "It was a way to give back to the community and connect with other moms and neighbors."

DeBarros could be describing most courses at the Bronxville Adult School when she says what she likes about the class:  "It becomes a social thing; you're learning and you're sharing."

To find out more about the Bronxville Adult School fall course offerings and to register, go to https://www.bronxvilleadultschool.org or contact the office at 914-793-4435.

Pictured here:  Beautifully arranged dinner prepared at the Bronxville Adult School.

Photo courtesy Bronxville Adult School