Grow Your Own Organic Garden covers all the basics of organic gardening -- such as supporting soil and plant health, starting seeds indoors and outdoors, interplanting, pest management, watering, and harvesting. Participants will have plenty of time to ask questions and connect with one another about shared experiences in their gardening journeys so far. By the end of this class, participants will be equipped with knowledge of how to grow an organic garden, be connected to resources and community members that will help them grow an organic garden, and feel ready to take the first steps toward doing so. We’ll even send you home with some seeds to start in your own garden! This class is for beginner and seasoned gardeners alike. The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), formed in 1971, is the oldest and largest state organic organization in the country and is creating a food system that is healthy and fair for all of us. Through education, training and advocacy, MOFGA is helping farmers thrive, making more local, organic food available and building sustainable communities. Learn more at mofga.org.

Register online: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/testorg8/1492101

Learn how to prep for the week to help lose weight and save time.  Each week will focus on prepping a different meal within the day (1st breakfast, 2nd lunch, 3rd dinner).  Please bring containers to bring food home every week; 5 healthy meals per class provided.  Supply fee of $25 due the first night of class.

Looking for a night out filled with great food and community? Join us for an interactive session, designing an eye-catching, casually elegant grazing board suitable for any friends and family gathering! Our favorite cheeses, cured meats, jams, crisps, nuts, fruits and more! We will discuss selection, preparation, displays and cutting techniques. This will not be a meal, but you will sample our favorite selections! Materials fee of $20 (cash please) to be paid to instructor at class.

You may call it soda, pop, soda pop, or even coke. No matter what you call it, we will learn how to make our own root beer and vanilla cream soda in this class, including how to collect the roots of plants and where you can purchase the supplies. We will also go over how to make your own kombucha and fun ways to flavor it. Each student will walk away with a one-gallon jar and kombucha mama or a half dozen bottles filled with soda. Each student will also build a wooden bottle holder which will include a bottle opener. Another class that builds on the skills for life! No handouts: be prepared to take notes. NO REFUNDS UNLESS THE CLASS IS CANCELLED OR RESCHEDULED.

Who can resist the smell of fresh bread baking?  In this one-night class we will learn how to mix, knead, proof and shape yeast dough into both savory and sweet treats. Participants will learn how to create cloverleaf rolls, butter crescents, cinnamon swirls, tea rings, caramel pecan rolls and whole-wheat buns as well as an economical savory braid that comes together quickly.  You will learn what gluten is about! Various yeast bread tricks will be shared and discussed. Each student will go home with a basket of yummy warm sample as well as dough to bake at home. All baking levels are welcome for this hands-on class. Bring an apron, and a container to fill and take home.

Debra Arter learned how to bake and shape from her Home Ec. Teacher mother in Minnesota. She participates in cooking contests regularly and her loaves of bread often get blue ribbons at local fairs. Her enthusiasm for food and fun is contagious. Autumn in Maine was made for an activity like this.  You will have a fun delicious evening! ($55 includes $10 materials fee)

Join wildlife photographer Jonathan Lavan and cooking instructor Chris Toy for a fantastic weekend of photography and food. The retreat happens on the shores of Merrymeeting Bay in the Butler Head Nature Preserve. Come prepared for some nature walks with your cameras and hands on cooking lessons. A limited number of Air BNB style overnight accommodations with shared bathrooms are available for $100/weekend. Contact Chris Toy at christoy.net@gmail.com FMI.

There is nothing like the aroma of baking sourdough bread unless it is biting into a slice fresh from the oven! Students will learn how to care for a sourdough starter, how to knead using two different techniques, and how to mix, shape, and score the bread for baking. The instructor will demonstrate two ways to bake a loaf––using a cloche or a stone with steam in the oven––followed by a taste testing. Students will then shape, score, and bake a loaf of their own in class. Bring a 32-ounce container to take home some sourdough culture for home baking. A $5 ingredients fee is payable to the instructor at class.

In this hands-on cooking class, you'll dive deep into the art of making Chinese Steamed Char Siu Bao, the beloved fluffy buns filled with savory Chinese BBQ pork. Learn the secrets of creating the perfect bao dough from scratch. Jeff will guide you through each step, from mixing and kneading to proofing, ensuring you achieve that perfect pillowy texture. Master the rich and flavorful char siu filling. Discover the blend of spices and techniques that make this BBQ pork so irresistible. Take a culinary journey through history as we explore the legend of how bao were first invented. You'll hear captivating stories that add a cultural dimension to your cooking experience. By the end of the class, you'll not only have a batch of delicious Char Siu Bao to enjoy but also the skills and knowledge to recreate this traditional treat at home. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, this class promises to be a fun and educational adventure. Class fee includes a set of traditional Chinese bamboo steamer baskets. [Bao contain gluten and soy]

Jeff Mao is a passionate baker, cook, and educator known for his hand-rolled bagels (available in Brunswick and at local farmers' markets) and engaging culinary classes (online and in-person). He's also the author of the Essential Chinese Hot Pot Cookbook and is currently working on a bagel cookbook. Beyond the kitchen, Jeff is a dedicated education advocate with a long history of involvement in Maine's education technology initiatives. He lives in Topsham with his wife and two sons. Learn more at Kneadandnosh.com!