Learn how to cook the popular Thai street food dish, Pad Thai, 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 Pad Thai 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.

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 AirBNB style overnight accommodations with shared bathrooms are available. Contact Chris Toy at christoy.net@gmail.com FMI. Instructors for the weekend are: Jonathan Lavan, citizen scientist, wildlife expert, and SCUBA Diver has been a teacher, photographer and research associate for many organizations. Chris Toy, cooking instructor, Maine Guide, and author of 6 popular Asian themed cookbooks has been teaching for community education programs, local kitchen stores, and privately for 3 decades. *There is a $25.00 non-refundable fee for cancellations.

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] Program is presented by Jeff Mao of Knead & Nosh in Topsham, ME.

Participants will learn how to season, care for, and use a Chinese wok and cleaver. Each student will take home a specially selected kit with a seasoned wok, wok spatula, sharpened cleaver, honing steel, and a cutting board. Those in the know bring containers just in case! The Wok is the most versatile pan in the world. Join Chris Toy, author of the award winning The Complete Wok Cookbook and learn all about its 3000 year old history. Materials kits included! *However, since kits are ordered ahead of time, there is a $100.00 non-refundable fee for cancellations to cover the cost of the kits. If you cancel, your kit will be sent to the adult ed office for pick-up.

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.

*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.

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.

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.