Chef Geist Ussery is now collaborating with SERG Restaurant Group to bring his unique and creative culinary talent to the organization. Chef Ussery is an exclusive private chef, event organizer and caterer. He is a native of Bluffton with a Latin and Caribbean background, which he has embraced and extended within his profession. Chef Ussery will specialize in social and private events for the SERG Group. 

The Mansion on Forsyth Park is now offering cooking classes. Participants will learn new techniques, knife skills and time saving tips in the kitchen. It’s an interactive and entertaining experience, followed by a shared meal at the conclusion of each class. New chef Jason Winn teaches the classes. For more information: www.mansion.classesbykessler.com. 

This recipe is inspired by Eastern European jam-filled cookies. | Makes 12-14 cookies

These cookies are fun for children to make with adult help because decorations can be placed inside the circular “Peekaboo” opening in the top layer of the cookie. Young bakers also will learn to use a rolling pin. If possible, use a standing mixer with a flat beater attachment — the best attachment for making cookie dough. A wire whisk works best for lighter jobs like whipping cream and frothing egg whites. A dough hook works best for heavier jobs like pizza and pasta doughs.

Makes approximately 32 mini meringues

There are two secrets to making successful meringues: egg whites won’t whip up if there is any moisture or residue at all on your equipment, so make sure everything is completely clean and dry. Also, take extra care when separating the egg yolks from the egg whites so that no yolk breaks and mixes with the egg whites – if this happens, make an omelet and start over! 

CHRISTMAS COOKIES ARE A WORLDWIDE TRADITION

Christmas cookies are traditional in many cultures, are fun to make ahead of time and give as gifts at cookie swaps. Depending on the recipe, cookie doughs can be either pressed, rolled, molded, dropped, baked, cut into bars or deep fried. 

Some cookie swaps have a theme — one fun event is the Ugly Sweater Cookie Swap. Guests are encouraged to not only decorate their cookies with the tackiest, gaudiest sweater designs but to wear their ugliest, decoration-laden sweater as well, all the better with blinking lights. Hosting a cookie swap, unlike a diner party with a long to-do list, is a great way to bring together friends with much less effort. All you need to stage a casual get-together is to send out invitations, decorate a table for displaying the cookies, then prepare hot cocoa or coffee or serve wine. 

CATCH 22 CAPTURES THE TRUE ESSENCE OF LAND, SEA AND SERVICE

The doomsday phrase “catch-22” doesn’t apply to the Hilton Head Island restaurant of the same name. The mission of restaurant Catch 22 is pretty straightforward: To serve the best seafood, chops and USDA prime steaks to its loyal band of customers, just as it’s been doing since 2001. Always fresh, nothing frozen.

Penny and Gary Duren, owners since the beginning, have created a comfortable culture for their customers and staff. The staff stays on for years and the patrons — locals and repeat tourists — keep coming back. Catch 22 exceeds expectations for its excellent service, delicious food, innovative menu, eclectic ambiance and superb dining experience.

The Bluffton Taco Bell will reopen in November after undergoing renovations. Meanwhile, construction is underway on a new Taco Bell location in Hardeeville; that construction is also expected to be completed in November. The Hardeeville location will feature the company’s modern explorer design, including warm gray tones, wood veneers and an open-kitchen concept. 

CHARLIE’S L’ETOILE VERTE IS COOKING UP SOME CHANGES AS IT LOOKS TO THE NEXT GENERATION

When Charlie Golson opened the current Charlie’s L’Etoile Verte 17 years ago, Hilton Head Island was a much different place — especially for a restaurant. With fewer restau-rants around him, the Green Star had less competition for the attention and affections of area diners.

Golson won people over quickly with his signa-ture seafood creations — dishes that masterfully tread the line between French high cuisine and approachable Lowcountry flavor. And for 17 years, even as Charlie has stepped away from the business, that same culinary brilliance has kept his restaurant top of mind among the island’s foodies.

Chicken Salad Chick is opening a store in front of the Kroger on Buckwalter Parkway. The Chicken Salad Chick menu features multiple styles of chicken salad, as well as soups and other sandwiches. Currently, the closest location is in Pooler.