* >> gift guide DIY Local businesses make it easy to bring out your inner artiste. Lynne Konstantin I Contributing Writer H PH OTOS BY NI COLE HALEY ave a friend interested in sharpening his culi- nary skills? Or an art lover who's never tried her hand with a brush? These local businesses make it easy to grab a friend (or five) and take a class in something you've never tried, something you want to improve — or something that might just be fun for a night. Buy a gift certificate for you both to create a Chanukah play date or craft a present that's truly from the heart. BLOOM FLORIST COLLECTIVE When one visitor walked into Pot & Box's studio, she exclaimed, "It's like walking into Pinterest!" Since opening in Ann Arbor six years ago, Pot & Box flower, floral-design and horticultural-decor shop has earned national accolades — and gushing exclamations — for its lush creations. With a pop-up shop in Detroit's D:Hive and a permanent Corktown home in the works, Pot & Box takes pride in sourcing seasonal, fresh blooms grown locally in its own cutting garden or on nearby Michigan farms whenever possible. Taking inspiration from "uncommon textures and shapes and shades between the primary colors:' says owner Lisa Waud, Pot & Box has an aesthetic and pride in detail that draws fans and photographers near and far. Which is why Waud teamed up with three indepen- dent floral designers to create Bloom, an opportunity for those with green-thumb envy to participate in floral- design group workshops and private classes and parties. From Floral Design 101, to Art of the Compote: Fall Fruits, Foliages and Flowers, to Summer Pitchers, tak- ing advantage of lush summer flowers like parrot tulips, veronica, hydrangeas, peonies and more, each class features designer-quality blooms and foliage, and each florist brings her own unique perspective and style. Bloom Florist Collective, Ann Arbor (734-368-2130; bloomfloristcollective.corn). Classes start at $85. 36 November 7 • 2013 MIREPOIX A cooking class at Mirepoix is more than just taking notes. That's because its parent shop, Holiday Market in Royal Oak, is more than just a grocery store. It's a philosophy — its mission is to educate, but to enjoy while learning. Since Tom and Janet Violante opened their small butcher shop almost 60 years ago, it has grown to a specialty grocery store that allows the family to share their passion for fantastic artisanal cheese, perfect cuts of meat, fresh seafood, imported wines, fresh- baked breads and spectacular cus- tomer service with Metro Detroit. So it was only natural that the Violantes' son, Tom Jr., should take educating the customer to the next level: Five years ago, he opened an on-site cooking school and entertain- ing space called Mirepoix, French for carrots, celery and onions — the base for stock. A class at Mirepoix is a "fun night out with instruction:' says Eric Blotkamp, the school's director. Each four-hour class focuses on techniques, rather than recipe adherence. "Rather than teaching a specific vinaigrette for a certain kind of salad, our goal is to teach a general vinaigrette so that students can go home, play with ingredi- ents with confidence and make any kind of vinaigrette they want:' says Blotkamp. "A recipe is a guideline, and we encourage people to make changes:' Although classes are designed for the novice, each hands-on class may have 10 people at 10 different skill levels, so it can be customized to each participant's needs and desires. From Knife Skills (where students learn their way around the most important cooking tools by chopping various vegetables to make a soup, or processing an entire chicken to end in chicken tacos) to specific dietary needs (including a gluten-free series and low-sodium classes to vegetarian meals as requested by guests) to autumn soups and stews and Italian comfort food, Mirepoix offers an opportunity to learn, create, have fun and enjoy the creation while you're there. In addition to scheduled classes, Mirepoix also offers Date Night, wine tastings (paired with food stations to complement the wines) and allows guests to create their own classes, schedule cooking parties and duels (groups are split into teams and guest judges are brought in). Mirepoix, the Holiday Market Cooking School, Royal Oak (248-543-4390; mirepoixcookingschool.com). Classes start at $69.99.