Good Eats Cooking Classes

Paulette Michelle Bruce, 76, passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on January 5, 2021, after a short battle with metastatic lung cancer.

Paulette lived a life brimming with the love of family and friends, successful business endeavors, hobbies and talents. She was born in Bakersfield, California on February 20,1944, to parents Pete and Gena Uhalt. As a young girl in a large Basque and Italian family, she was taught the art of cooking and entertaining by her mother and her Nonna. In 1959, Paulette took 3rd place in the National Figure Roller Skating championship in Boston, MA. She graduated from East Bakersfield High School in 1962, then attended Bakersfield Community College. In 1964, she won the “Miss Wool of Kern County” contest, for fashioning the various outfits she wore in the competition out of wool. She then went on to attend and graduate from San Jose State University.

In the early 1970’s, Paulette moved to Sacramento and started her career in the California State Legislature. In the early 1980’s, she opened Paulette Bruce Public Relations. Paulette was a force in her work life, admired and adored by the many colleagues, students and friends whose lives she touched as she raised her family and worked in Sacramento. She was the humble recipient of various honors and awards, including Person of the Year in both 1987 and 1989; and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Sacramento Public Relations Association in 1996.

Paulette was a founding member of Sacramento Magazine’s “Dining Divas”, alongside 5 restaurateurs/foodies. She started teaching cooking classes 25 years ago, eventually establishing Good Eats Cooking Classes, where she donned a white chef's coat and educated many home cooks in the ways of Plugra butter, proper knife sharpening, Kosher salt and more. Paulette has left behind a veritable banquet of happy, well-fed customers, whom she taught in private homes and commercial kitchens throughout Sacramento as well as her own home kitchen.

A kind people-person with a warm smile and a quick wit, Paulette celebrated holidays-- especially Thanksgiving and Easter--generously, with long, inclusive guest lists and delightful spreads of delicious foods that she spent days and weeks preparing. Children delighted in her annual Easter egg hunt and the grand prize “Golden Egg”, always filled with cash, tucked away and awaiting discovery in her magical backyard.

Paulette took pride in her many pursuits, but her greatest joy came from raising and being a part of the lives of her three sons. Paulette is survived by her sons, Rob Bruce, Kevin Bruce, Michael Bruce (Kristen) and her brother Gary Uhalt (Jane). She has 7 grandchildren who she loved dearly: Gena, Mila, Ryan, Owen, Nick, Sofia and Roman.

My sons have been teaching my classes over the last few weeks. And its be fun to see them in the kitchen. Now I want to tell you what’s going on with me. In early November, I was diagnosed with lung cancer,stage four. Not the kind of news anyone wants to hear.

My family and friends rallied around me. My three sons – Rob, Michael and Kevin – stepped up to teach my classes, and they are amazing! My boys were raised in my kitchen, so they really know their way around. There is a lot of love across the table in my family, and for that I am truly grateful.

What’s ahead? Well, I’m getting treatment with chemotherapy and radiation at one of the best teaching hospitals in the state. I’m optimistic that I’ll be back in the kitchen to cook with you soon. I have all of my first quarter recipes ready to go – and I’m really excited to share them with you.

I count my many blessings every day. And I look forward to seeing you in class!

Best
– Paulette

We just got this photo and message from Wendy ...

"We made this on Friday. OMG the best stew ever! This is now my “go-to” stew recipe. Also really appreciated the tip on how to peel the onions in the video."

Looks like last week's recipe in class was a hit!!! It really is SO GOOD!!!

Meet Cher. My oldest son Robbie is housing the family tortoise. Today she’s enjoying an early Thanksgiving dinner!

Recently I got to spend the afternoon with my friend Laura, canning. What a blast! We made enough sauce to potentially last the year!!

Have you tried canning?

Oh Boy! I can't wait for tomorrow's LIVE class!

Basque-style roasted peppers and potatoes!

The perfect dish with this brisk weather we've been having in Northern California!

Loving these grocery store tulips!! We had them on set for last night's private class. So much fun!

Did you know that if you put a couple of pennies in the tulips water it will keep them from drooping?

Getting excited about Thursday's LIVE class where we are going to be making Basque style stuff peppers!!

How fun to see different photos from this week's Smoky Beef and Bacon Chili recipe!!!

I hope you'll join me this month for my online cooking classes in my home kitchen!

Our first recipe this week is Smokey Beef and Bacon Chili!

This is one of Sunset magazine's 50 top all-time favorite recipes. And, I must say it's also been one of my top chili recipes for many years. It's easy and quick to make. My favorite topping is corn chips and sour cream. You might want to make a double batch as it freezes well and nice to have in reserve. This is also a good dish to take to a family member or friend who isn't feeling well.