When sisters Wendy Harrington and Robyn Bowen started Covington Cooks last November, they thought their cooking supply store had everything amateur chiefs in the area could possibly want. But as business grew and the sisters started seeing repeat business, one request kept coming up again and again.

"After we opened our doors for business, every other person asked if we were going to have cooking classes," Harrington said. "We hadn't really planned on it before, but the demand was there."

So with their customers in mind, the sisters will host a series of cooking classes throughout September.

"The classes really run the gambit from cooking kitchen basics to gourmet meals in minutes," Harrington said.

Novice cooks would benefit from the three-part essentials class, Harrington said, while more experienced chiefs can refine their skills with the gourmet meals in minutes demonstrations.

Covington Cooks will kick off the curriculum with a Super Shellfish class on Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 6:30 p.m. During the classes, students will learn how to cook bourbon-pineapple shrimp kabobs, Caribbean rice and a tropical pineapple and bacon salad.

Each class will be taught by personal chief Melisa Riker. Harrington and Bowen will serve as Riker's assistants during each lesson. All ingredients will be provided during the classes, though students taking the third essentials class will be required to bring a set of sharp knives and a cutting board.

"Some of the ingredients are from the store," Harrington said. "Others are purchased locally. We want people to see that they can make a gourmet meal very easily and that the ingredients are readily available."

Gourmet classes will include Brilliant Beef, Sumptuous Seafood and Inamorata, where students will be taught how to cook roasted garlic and chardonnay alfredo.

Participants in the essentials class will learn the basics of sautéing, braising and roasting along with how to prepare Madeira and mushroom sauce.

Harrington expects the students to be an eclectic mix of men and women, the young and the old.

"Anyone who can sit still for two hours is welcome," Harrington said.

Whether the classes will continue past September is up to the community, the sisters said.

"A lot of what we do depends on feedback from customers," Harrington said. "We want to respond to what the community wants."

There is a 12 person limit on each class, so Harrington suggests people sign up soon for the first week's classes. Registration ends Aug. 31 for classes taking place in the week of Sept. 3 through 8.

Gourmet meals in minutes demonstrations are $40 per class. Essentials classes are $45 for one, $80 for two and $115 for all three.