What's more magical than the delicious food we find at Christmas?

Chocolates! Cookies! Carbs!

It's a special time, then for a place like The Curious Kitchen, a combination of stellar restaurant, cooking school, and stunning catering center run by mother-daughter team Helena and Rachel Spensatelli. 

With a fresh new Murfreesboro location opening in 2021 and lots of culinary offerings for the whole family, it's a fabulous resource for holiday treats and experiences.

Check out my three reasons to dine with them this season.

1. House-Made Dishes

With an Italian heritage and cosmopolitan influences gained from more than 30 years of teaching and catering in Los Angeles, the Spensatellis create original meals with a delicious flair. Many of their vegetables and herbs come from their on-site gardens, and most ingredients are organic or locally-sourced. You'll find plenty of familiar items on the menu like chicken salads, BLTs, quiché, stacked sandwiches, and scratch-made soups but I can guarantee you've never tasted them quite like this.

While their new café site (and therefore their café menu) won't be open until 2021, you can still sample their fresh offerings through their catering services and cooking classes.

 2. Creative Catering

While Covid-19 concerns will still keep gatherings small this season, turn over any food prep to pros like the Spensatellis. They offer memorable horse devours, flavorful main dishes, and perfect cocktail pairings-- and cocktails-- for parties of any size. Plan a menu with them, or let them take the reins. Food sensitivities? No problem-- they have delicious options for every need. 

3. Cooking Classes

Whether you want to learn basic kitchen skills or to have your kids give baking a try, the Spensatellis offer classes on a wide range of dishes for all abilities, from icing cookies to sushi. Children 6 and older can get on their popular holiday-themed classes and camps this month, and adults can gather for a date night experience or even plan a corporate team building cooking event.

Too busy? Purchase a gift card for a loved one to use towards The Curious Kitchen's cooking classes in 2021. (Pro-tip: Classes fill up fast, so go ahead and check out their calendar and reserve a seat!)

The Curious Kitchen's new location is at 327 East State Street, Murfreesboro. While the location will not open for dine-in until after the new year, classes and catering are still offered through their kitchen. For a listing of classes, camps, catering menu, and to purchase gift cards visit thecuriouskitchen.net, and like their Facebook page for updates. 

Laura Beth Payne is a writer mama and Murfreesboro native who lives in the Blackman community with her husband and two children. Follow her at @murfreesboromama on Facebook and Instagram. Got a column idea? Email her at laurabethpayne@gmail.com.