Acadian Arts Asian Fusion Cooking Retreat at Homeport Inn, Searsport, ME 

Your instructor, Chris Toy is the author of 6 popular cookbooks, a private chef, and has taught Asian-fusion cooking for several Maine community education programs. Cooking students will learn how to prepare a variety of recipes from Asia, Europe, and the Americas incorporating traditional and local ingredients. Each meal will actively engage cooks with the tools, techniques, and stories behind the dishes being created.

Step back to a time when President Franklin Roosevelt, Eleanor, and their family escaped to their “beautiful little island” in the Canadian Maritimes, Campobello Island. We will be exclusive guests of the international park, staying in historic Victorian cottages. Workshop participants will explore and paint the same coastal scenery enjoyed by the summer residents at the turn of the 20th century. All meals are included in the workshop fee as well as specially planned optional evening activities designed to extend your learning from the day’s workshops, including a private concert by award winning Celtic Fiddle player, Katherine Moller, in the Victorian parlor of Hubbard House. Register for the retreat then call Sherry Mitchell at 506-752-2922 to make room reservations. Acadian Arts Retreats participants will have exclusive overnight accommodations in the park. 

Comments from recent Acadian Arts Retreats participants: 

“I learned so much that Chris taught me, and the recipes were attainable."  “Chris speaks slowly and encourages questions."

Your instructor, Chris Toy is the author of 6 popular cookbooks, a private chef, and has taught Asian-fusion cooking for several Maine community education programs. Cooking students will learn how to prepare a variety of recipes from Asia, Europe, and the Americas incorporating traditional and local ingredients. Each meal will actively engage cooks with the tools, techniques, and stories behind the dishes being created.

Step back to a time when President Franklin Roosevelt, Eleanor, and their family escaped to their “beautiful little island” in the Canadian Maritimes, Campobello Island. We will be exclusive guests of the international park, staying in historic Victorian cottages. Workshop participants will explore and paint the same coastal scenery enjoyed by the summer residents at the turn of the 20th century. All meals are included in the workshop fee as well as specially planned optional evening activities designed to extend your learning from the day’s workshops, including a private concert by award winning Celtic Fiddle player, Katherine Moller, in the Victorian parlor of Hubbard House. Register for the retreat then call Sherry Mitchell at 506-752-2922 to make room reservations. Acadian Arts Retreats participants will have exclusive overnight accommodations in the park. 

Comments from recent Acadian Arts Retreats participants: 

“I learned so much that Chris taught me, and the recipes were attainable."  “Chris speaks slowly and encourages questions."

Chris Toy is the author of 6 popular cookbooks, a private chef, and has taught Asian-fusion cooking for several Maine community education programs. Cooking students will learn how to prepare a variety of recipes from Asia, Europe, and the Americas incorporating traditional and local ingredients. Each meal will actively engage cooks with the tools, techniques, and stories behind the dishes being created. The Homeport Inn and Tavern has 9 private suites tastefully updated with comfortable furnishings. There’s live music each evening in the tavern. Specially discounted rates including breakfasts, are available by contacting the Inn.

Time to get out the sweaters and have some tea! Scones are the perfect accompaniment! In this 3 hour class we will make Harvest Pumpkin Scones, Double Ginger Scones, Savoy Hotel Classic Scones, Maple Bacon Scones and Cranberry Orange scones. All ingredients provided as well as instruction. No experience needed. Be sure and bring a container to take home samples that you do not eat on the spot! You will FALL in love with the flavors

The Healthy Essentials

Mediterranean cuisine includes heart-healthy olive oil, protein-rich legumes, fish, whole grains, and moderate amounts of wine and meat. The flavors are rich and the health benefits abundant. Learn the essentials of this wholesome cuisine as we prepare Mediterranean chicken, pork and peppers, and a light, flavorful dessert. Come prepared to cook, taste, and enjoy! Bring an apron and a sharp cutting knife.

Moira Rascati, a graduate of Culinary Institute of America in NY, has been a professional chef for 40+ years and at Joseph's by the Sea in Old Orchard Beach for more than 30. She is currently an instructor at SMCC in their culinary arts and nutrition programs.

Is loose leaf tea really worth the effort? Let's do some comparisons and you be the judge. Learn a little about tea and where it comes from. How is tea from a bag different from loose-leaf tea? Explore how to make your best cup of tea, what you need for loose leaf preparation as well as other useful equipment. We will do side by side comparisons of several tea bag and loose leaf samples. Registration closes at noon on 11/12.

Marianne Russo, Maine's only Certified Tea Specialist, recently retired from her business of 20 years, Nellie's Tea Company where she offered retail tea and related merchandise, tea service, tea tastings and education, as well as catered tea. She loves sharing her knowledge and passion for all things tea with others.

In this class, Steve will teach you how to make four different kinds of mousse; dark chocolate, white chocolate, Baileys Irish cream, and fresh lemon. In addition to these wonderful desserts, you will also learn how plain gelatin is used to stabilize your mousse. Materials fee of $30 is due by cash or check, made out to the instructor, at the start of class.

For this Thanksgiving tradition, learn to make your own chicken wire mold cornucopia and prepare it to be covered with a rolled and braided bread dough that you will make from scratch. Take it home and fill it with fall leaves, flowers, fruits and vegetables, or whatever you like for your holiday table. Materials fee of $30.00 is due by cash or check, payable to the instructor, at the start of class.