Four well-known island chefs are offering a peek into their kitchens during a series of cooking classes this spring.

The series is a fundraiser for the Shakespeare Festival, which is coming up April 7 to 11.

“Like the BBQ Bash last Labor Day, these events help raise money for the festival without having to ask the same donors over and over,” said Michell Marshall, who created the festival. “These events are ways of having fun while generating revenue for a good cause.”

The chefs on board are John Trumbull from Roses, Geddes Martin from Inn at Ship Bay, Christina Orchid from Red Rabbit Farm and Steve DeBaste from New Leaf Cafe.

Each class is $100. Over the course of the afternoon, you will learn from the best, dine, drink wine and take home recipes. Island Market is sponsoring the series, and all classes will be hosted at Red Rabbit Farm in West Sound starting at 3 p.m.

Trumbull will kick off the festivities on Feb. 28. He will show how to make a meal with Coffelt Farm lamb.

John and his wife Joni have owned and operated Roses Bakery Cafe in Eastsound for the past 24 years.  Like many who have worked in the kitchen world, he began his career as a dishwasher before working his way deeper into the kitchen, bouncing around a few restaurant kitchens in Utah and California.  The most important influences to his career prior to the present work have been living in Paris and learning at Ecole de Cuisine La Varenne and working at Chateau Montelena Winery in Napa Valley.

Martin, who owns Inn at Ship Bay with his wife Mary Anna, will show how to prepare his farm-raised pork and cook unfamiliar cuts of meat on March 14.

Orchid will provide her version of the Spanish table complete with a Paella seminar and traditional Spanish dessert on March 21.

DeBaste will share classic recipes including tricks and techniques from the French kitchen on March 28.

To sign up for any of the classes, visit the Chamber of Commerce office on North Beach Road or The Office Cupboard in the post office building.

For information about the Fourth Annual Orcas Island Shakespeare Festival, visit www.orcasislandshakespeare.com.

The week-long festivities include costumed performers, an Eastsound Parade, street theater, a performance by The Seattle Shakespeare Company and activities in the Village Green.