Just in time for cold winter nights, the Selma-Dallas County Public Library has one more opportunity for local would-be cooks to keep themselves nice and warm.

At noon on Thursday, the library will host the final day of the Sensational Selma Soups cooking classes. On Wednesday, local chef Kory Taylor taught some three dozen community members how to make a shrimp etoufee, and library director Becky Nichols said the event was a one-of-a-kind chance to learn from some of the best cooks in town.

“It’s a world class, three day event inviting local cooks like Kory to come out and share their knowledge,” Nichols said. “Nothing brings us together like food, and who in the world doesn’t like shrimp.

Taylor, who is a general manager at the KFC restaurant in Selma, said the inspiration for his etoufee recipe came from New Orleans, a town he tries to visit every three or four months.

As opposed to normal etoufee recipes, the one Taylor shared Wednesday used cream of mushroom soup as the base in stead a time-consuming roux.

“This is called an ‘easy’, because you use cream of mushroom soup as your base instead of spending all that time to make a roux,” Taylor said. “It’s just something quick you could have ready in 20 minutes.”

While Taylor spoke about his love for New Orleans and Cajun foods like etoufees and gumbos, audiences members were able to sample a bowl of the shrimp etoufee while looking over their own copy of the recipe.

Jane Parker, a Children’s Library at the library, said the three-day program had been a huge success.

“We have large turnout today, just like we did for the first lesson on Tuesday,” Parker said. “This is always a big hit in the cold months. People love to eat, and we want to promote these local cooks and businesses to the people here in Selma.”

Nichols said the event offered a chance for cooks like Taylor to show off their skills.

“It’s all about having a great time and promoting Selma,” Nichols said.

Doris Truax will lead the final session of the cooking classes Thursday at noon. She will be teaching audience members how to make Surprise Soup.

Tickets for the event at $8 and can be reserved by calling the library at 334-874-1725.