BWTR 0010 - Chicken Butchery & Stock Making CORE Class with Chef Travis McConnell
Course Description
Join Brightwater’s own Chef Travis McConnell—instructor and Butcher’s Larder coordinator—for an unforgettable evening of culinary mastery. In this CORE community class, Chicken Butchery & Stock Making, Chef Travis will guide participants through the essential techniques of chicken breakdown and stock preparation. Through both demonstration and hands-on practice, you’ll learn to inspect chicken quality, perform a six-way breakdown, and make use of every part of the bird—including the spine and bones—for flavor-packed results.
Chef Travis will also share his expertise on collecting and using schmaltz, the traditional rendered chicken fat prized in many cuisines. The class continues with an in-depth look at stock making, including roasting techniques, the role of mirepoix and aromatics, and simmering times for optimal depth. Chef Travis will introduce alternative therapeutic approaches to broths, highlighting their restorative qualities, and will finish with a demonstration of the elegant chicken ballantine.
Participants will leave with packaged chicken to take home, along with the confidence to apply these techniques in their own kitchens. Whether you're a curious beginner or a seasoned home cook, this class offers a rare opportunity to learn from one of Northwest Arkansas’s most respected culinary professionals.
Cost: $95.00
Day/Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Ages: 14+
Location:
Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food
801 SE 8th Street
Bentonville, AR 72712
Contact Information:
(479) 631-8600
brightwater@nwacc.edu
Allergy Alert
Please be advised that our food may have come in contact with or contain dairy, eggs, wheat/gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, or sesame. If you have allergies, please email brightwater@nwacc.edu about the ingredients used in this class before deciding to attend.
What to Wear to Class
We want your time in the kitchen to be safe, comfortable, and fun! Before you arrive, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Shoes: Closed-toe shoes with good grip - think sneakers or similar styles
- Clothing: Comfortable, fitted clothing with full coverage; avoid loose sleeves
- Jewelry & Hair: Skip the dangling jewelry, and tie back long hair
These small steps help keep everyone safe so we can focus on what matters most: great food and great company. We can't wait to cook with you!