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Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education



Cooking

Hand-Rolled New York Bagels: Master the Art of Authentic Bagel Making!

$79

with Jeff Mao

Calendar Next session starts Apr 28, 2025 at 5 pm, runs for 1 week

Join our immersive cooking class where you’ll learn the time-honored secrets behind New York’s iconic bagels. In this hands-on experience, you’ll craft your own bagel dough from scratch, knead it to perfection, and master the art of hand-rolling. As the dough transforms into those chewy, golden rings, we’ll guide you through the traditional boiling and baking process—the very same steps that make Brooklyn bagels legendary. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a curious food enthusiast, this class promises a delightful journey into bagel bliss. All ingredients, materials, equipment and recipes will be provided. [Bagels contain gluten] Program is presented by Jeff Mao of Knead & Nosh in Topsham, ME.

Full Course

Thai Cooking: Beyond The Basics

$45

with Panee Muncharoen

Calendar Next session starts Apr 29, 2025 at 6 pm, runs for 1 week

*NOTICE OF DATE CHANGE: This class will now run on Tuesday 4/29.

Learn how to use different Thai spices to prepare the Thai favorite ‘Haw Mok’ (seafood or chicken steamed in curried coconut milk), using ingredients which can easily be purchased at your local supermarket. We’ll cook, eat, listen to authentic Thai music, and ensure you have some Haw Mok left to take home with you! We may also have time to cook some "Tom Yum Kung" (sweet and sour soup with spicy chicken or shrimp). Join us for this special one-night workshop. All materials included.

Full Course

Luscious Lemon Night

$55

with Deb Arter

Calendar Next session starts May 6, 2025 at 6 pm, runs for 1 week

Celebrate spring in Maine! In this 3 hour class we will refresh our palette by making Lemon Portuguese Tartlets, Lemon Poppy seed Scones and Easy Lemon Bars! No experience required. Debra has been teaching adult baking classes for nearly a decade. You are sure to have fun and not leave with a sour face. Bring tubs to take home baked goods you can't resist eating! All materials included.

Full Course

From Flour to Flavor: Crafting Authentic Potstickers

$65

with Jeff Mao

Calendar Next available session starts May 12, 2025 at 5:30 pm, runs for 1 week

Learn the fundamentals of making Chinese dumplings at home. You will learn to make fresh scratch-made dough, and roll your own wrappers, and how to fold and pleat them using pork filling. We will then water-fry/steam the dumplings to create this restaurant favorite—pot sticker dumplings. Additionally, you will learn to make your own ginger-scallion oil and the instructor will talk about other common Chinese condiments used for dipping sauces. All ingredients, materials, equipment and recipes will be provided. [Plant-based ground meat can be substituted for the pork upon request. The dumpling wrappers include gluten.] Program is presented by Jeff Mao of Knead & Nosh in Topsham, ME.

Fundamentals of Home Food Preservation

$260

with Allison Carroll Duffy

Calendar Next available session starts May 13, 2025 at 5:30 pm, runs for 4 weeks

Have you ever thought about preserving your own food? Perhaps you enjoy the bounty of farmers markets, and want to find a way to enjoy local produce year-round. Or, maybe you have your own vegetable garden and end up with more produce than you can eat. Whatever your reason, if you want to try preserving but aren’t sure how to get started, this is the class for you! In this four-part, hands-on class, taught by Master Food Preserver and cookbook author Allison Carroll Duffy, we’ll cover all of the primary home food preservation methods you’ll need to get started, including canning, freezing, drying, fermenting, and cold-storage (root cellaring). Each week we’ll focus on a different method (or two), discussing proper procedures, techniques, food safety, and use of tools and equipment. We’ll then practice the method(s) hands-on, preparing and preserving food as a group, enjoying some samples as well. No matter what types of foods you enjoy and are hoping to preserve, this class will provide all you need to know to get started preserving food confidently at home! *A materials fee of $40 must be paid to the instructor on the first night of class.

Homestyle Indian Cooking Journey: Palak Paneer

$65

with Maine Tasting Center

Calendar Next available session starts May 15, 2025 at 5 pm, runs for 1 week
1 additional session on May 16, 2025

Embark on a culinary journey where Maine's local bounty meets the vibrant flavors of India. Get hands-on as you learn to craft homestyle Indian dishes using fresh ingredients sourced from Maine farmers, cheesemakers and spice companies – this session will have you making Palak Paneer, a vibrant dish made with fresh spinach and locally-made paneer. Explore essential Indian cooking techniques and flavor combinations before enjoying dinner as a group. All ingredients, supplies and recipes will be provided. Taught by San Rudra of Banyan Tree Food Truck, Presented by Maine Tasting Center.

More Scones with Deb

$55

with Deb Arter

Calendar Next available session starts May 15, 2025 at 6 pm, runs for 1 week

*NOTICE OF DATE CHANGE: This class will now run on Thursday 5/15.

In this three hour class we will make traditional scones from the Savoy Hotel as well as novel recipes like Strawberry Scones, Lemon Blueberry Scones, Chocolate Chip scones and Orange Cranberry. You will take home samples of all the varieties. Bring your containers and have a Scone-tastic with new friends! Class size limited so sign up early! All materials included.

Chris and Ken's Awesome Cooking and Carving Adventure!

$250

with Chris Toy

Calendar Next available session starts May 16, 2025 at 8 am, runs for 1 week

Join master wood carver Ken Wise and cooking instructor Chris Toy for a fantastic weekend of hands on Carving and Cooking instruction. Come learn how to carve cooking utensils such as chopsticks, spatulas, and spoons. Then learn how to use them to prepare, cook, and eat some tasty Asian fusion recipes from Chris Toy's cookbooks! The retreat happens on the shores of Merrymeeting Bay in the Butler Head Nature Preserve. A limited number of AirBNB style overnight accommodations with shared bathrooms are available. Contact Chris Toy at christoy.net@gmail.com FMI. About the instructors: Ken Wise has been carving spoons, turning bowls and making Wildlife Art in Mid-Coast Maine for many years. He enjoys sharing the fun and challenges of working with wood through classes and private instruction. Chris Toy, long time cooking instructor, Maine Guide, and author of 6 Asian cookbooks has taught community education, in kitchen stores, and privately around midcoast Maine for many years. *There is a $25.00 non-refundable fee for cancellations.





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