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. $595 includes a workshop fee, all meals, and special activities to extend your learning from the day’s workshops. 

Recent Acadian Arts Retreats participants commented: “I learned so much from Chris that I can use immediately at home in my own kitchen.”  “Great kitchen hints!”.

4/11-4/14, The Harbor View House is in Prospect Harbor on the coast of Maine. Come join this intimate group of artists, cooks, and creatives! Evening activities include a private house concert by Grammy-balloted singer-songwriter, storyteller, and author Gordan Ward. For more information about the workshop, call Mary at 207-632-2251. To book your stay at the inn, call 207-963-9122 or visit https://harborviewhousellc.com/. 

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. Escape to a Victorian Inn, the Harbor View House in Prospect Harbor on the coast of Maine, with an intimate group of artist, cooks and creatives! All meals are included in the workshop fee plus special activities to extend your learning from the day’s workshops, including a private house concert by Grammy balloted sing-songwriter, storyteller, and author Gordan Ward. For more information about the workshop, call Mary at 207-632-2251. To book your stay at the inn call 207-963-9122 or visit https://harborviewhousellc.com/. Feedback from recent participants: “I learned so much from Chris that I can use immediately at home in my own kitchen.” “Great kitchen hints!”

Due to the high demand of the sourdough classes, NACE has added new combined sessions of Kayla Day's Sourdough classes! ☺️

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Sourdough 101: Starting the Starter  |  6 - 7:30pm
Have you ever wanted to learn how to make your own sourdough bread from start to finish? NACE is excited to welcome the owner and baker of Little Acre Farm, Kayla Day, to our Winter/Spring 2025 classes!

In this introduction to making sourdough, Kayla will teach you how to make your own starter from scratch, including initially starting the dough and feeding and maintaining the dough until it is ready to be baked. She will go over common issues that can arise from making sourdough starters and show you what each stage of the dough should look/smell like. You will leave the class with your own starter dough that you will feed until it is ready for baking. The cost of this class includes everything to get started.


Sourdough 102: Ready. Set. BAKE!   |   6 - 8pm
Now that you have learned the art of making your own sourdough starters, it’s time to see the different things that you can bake with it! If you took Kayla’s Sourdough 101 class and have a starter that is ready to bake you can bring it to class or purchase a starter before the class. In this class you will learn different mixing and folding techniques to get the perfect bread. You will also learn how to take any excess dough you may have and see what you can make with it. Kayla will have dough ready to bake in class and you will get to take home the loaves made to bake at home.

Materials list for the 102 class include: 

• Unbleached Flour (any brand)
• Mixing Bowl (no particular size just enough for mixing the dough)
• Wooden Spoon or Dough Whisk
• Plastic Bench Scraper
• Towl (if you don’t have a towel there will be saran wrap available)
• Proofing Basket or Bowl
• Razer Blade or Lame

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 contains gluten and soy.

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 contains gluten and soy) 

Hands-on instruction from a pro - Chris Toy will be in the house providing expert hands on instruction and lots of fun! Learn how to season, care for, and use a Chinese wok and cleaver. You'll take home a specially selected kit with a seasoned wok appropriate for all heating sources, long handled wok spatula, sharpened professional restaurant grade cleaver, honing steel, edge guard, large cutting board , and one of Chris' popular cookbooks. (kit valued at over $200). Of course, to learn all these steps, there must be food involved! Bring a container for left-overs!

Make your own old-fashioned sugared Easter egg and create a scene to go inside. Materials fee of $30.00 is due by cash or check, payable to the instructor, at the start of class. All baking classes with Steve Watts are hands-on and students take home their finished products.

Discover a trifecta of essential sauces vital for any home cook! Start with béchamel–a versatile sauce that can be applied across many cuisines. Our second sauce, Mornay, is a creamy, cheesy sauce and the base for dishes like macaroni and cheese or scalloped potatoes. The third sauce is hollandaise–this creamy, silky, lemony sauce is the vital ingredient for eggs Benedict but can also be used atop many other dishes. Chef Mary will show you the best techniques for all three and you will get to sample them in practical application! This is a demonstration class, however, students are welcome to either watch or join us in the kitchen. Bring an apron, a couple of small containers for leftovers, and your appetite! Recipes provided.

Mary Bailey, pastry chef and past owner/chef of Thyme and Honey Bakery in Biddeford, is passionate about baking bread and teaching people how to incorporate homemade bread into their daily lives.