Day 1: From Field to Kitchen
Morning: Harvesting and Ingredient Knowledge
- Farm Tour & Ingredient Overview
Explore the farm and meet the crops! We’ll walk through the garden, identifying seasonal vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers. Learn about sustainable growing practices and how different soil techniques impact flavor and nutrition. - Harvesting for the Menu
Participants will harvest the ingredients we’ll be cooking with, learning the best ways to pick, wash, and store fresh produce to maintain peak quality.
Late Morning: Culinary Techniques & Fundamentals
- Knife Skills & Prep Techniques
Practice essential cutting techniques for different vegetables, and learn how to preserve nutrients during preparation. - Cooking Basics
Explore fundamental cooking techniques: sautéing, roasting, steaming, and marinating. We’ll focus on methods that bring out the best in freshly picked produce.
Lunch: Farm-to-Table Lunch Creation
- Collaborative Cooking Session
Using the freshly harvested ingredients, work together to prepare a vibrant vegetarian meal. Focus on creating balanced dishes with various textures and flavors.- Example Dishes: Roasted Vegetable Salad with Fresh Herb Vinaigrette, High protein bites, and Seasonal Veggie Soup.
Afternoon: Advanced Cooking Techniques
- Exploring Flavor Profiles
Understand the role of herbs, spices, and umami in vegetarian dishes. Learn to build complex flavors using simple ingredients. - Fermentation and Preservation Basics
Discover how to make quick pickles and simple ferments to enhance your dishes.
Evening: Interactive Farm Dinner
- Enjoy a beautifully curated farm-to-table dinner together, featuring some of the preserved items and new dishes created with techniques learned throughout the day.
Day 2: The Art of Farm Cuisine
Morning: Themed Harvest and Menu Planning
- Planning a Seasonal Menu
Develop a seasonal menu based on the available produce. Discuss flavor pairings and how to compose balanced, visually appealing plates. - Harvesting for a Themed Lunch
Go out into the fields with your team to select the day’s vegetables, focusing on color, flavor, and texture combinations.
Late Morning: Advanced Cooking Workshop
- Creative Techniques for Vegetarian Dishes
Learn advanced cooking methods such as sous-vide for vegetables, caramelization techniques, and making fresh pasta. - Farm-to-Plate Presentation
Practice plating techniques that highlight the beauty of fresh ingredients and bring out their visual appeal.
Lunch: Themed Farm-to-Table Lunch
- Work together to create a themed lunch, with an emphasis on both flavor and presentation.
- Example Dishes: Sweet Potato Ravioli with Sage Brown Butter, Herb-Crusted Cauliflower Steaks, and Fresh Garden Pesto Pasta.
Afternoon: Final Challenge & Reflection
- Creative Challenge: Invent a Signature Dish
Use what you’ve learned to create your own dish, incorporating the day’s harvest and a surprise ingredient.- Each participant or team presents their dish, explaining their thought process and the inspiration behind their creation.
Evening: Farewell Dinner & Celebration
- Enjoy a celebratory meal featuring participants’ signature dishes, paired with complementary sides created by the chefs.
- Course Wrap-Up & Takeaways
Discuss how to integrate farm-to-table principles into your everyday cooking and receive a digital recipe booklet to take home.
This two-day journey will leave you feeling more confident in the kitchen, inspired by farm-fresh ingredients, and connected to the natural rhythms of seasonal eating!
