From Soil to Society: Celebrating the Essential Connections Between All Living Things
 
PROGRAM DETAILS
 
  Italian Cooking: From Garden to Table

Instructor(s):

 Category: Ecology Dates: Jul 23, 2010-Jul 25, 2010 Price: $450
Patti Hetherington
 
Brief Description:
Save the airfare to Italy in this inspiring and fun weekend while learning how to prepare marvelous Italian meals from simple, fresh ingredients, with renowned chef and food stylist Patti Hetherington.
Work Scholarship:
We offer a number of work scholarship positions for each of our sessions. Click here for more information.
 
Description:
This delectable weekend begins on Friday late afternoon as you unplug and shake off the tension of the week, enjoy a delicious fresh herbal infusion or fresh fruit drink and take in the quiet beauty of the surroundings. As you stroll through the working gardens of our organic farm together with chef Patti Hetherington you will begin to take in the possibilities of planning entire Italian meals fresh from the garden. Learn how and when to harvest the perfect mesclun salad complemented with an array of edible flowers and five kinds of fresh basil. Join us for your first evening meal complete with local and organic wines and local pasture raised meats, locally harvested mussels as well as vegetarian options.

Saturday morning offers an optional yoga class or chance for a leisurely stroll around the farm or simply enjoy the chance to have a slow start with a delicious breakfast featuring our farm fresh eggs and herbs. In the afternoon after some time in the woods learning to identify edible mushrooms and in the gardens harvesting your supper, you begin to unleash your inner chef learning the fine art of pasta making, pesto preparation, knife handling and sharpening and some notes on how to choose the perfect wine for each meal. A slow and delicious evening meal with fine conversation and time to savour each mouthful ends with a screening of a wonderful film about the renaissance of local and culinary skills and a bonfire under the starry skies.

On Sunday after a light breakfast we will gather for an optional tour through the gardens of a neighbouring farm where we can sample some of their tremendous gourmet herbed salts served on a dazzling array of garden fresh vegetables. We return for our final delicious afternoon meal together and everyone leaves with a lovely booklet full of recipes and menus from their weekend, newfound skills that will dazzle friends and add zest to your own meals along with an appreciation of the bounty that grows in our backyards that can be transformed into feasts for the senses.

This weekend offers the option of relaxing and therapeutic massages that can be booked with one of our two massage therapists on Friday evening, Saturday evening or Sunday morning. As well the registration fee includes all meals complete with local and organic wines served on Friday and Saturday evening.
 
   
Instructor Bio(s):  
Patti Hetherington    
Patti Hetherington is a Food Stylist and Food Producer with over 10 years experience. Originally from Toronto, Patti now calls Nova Scotia home. She has built a career based on her passion for all things food. Trained at one of North America's top chef schools, Patti won award after award for her outstanding culinary skills. She has worked as a chef, pastry chef, sous chef and entremetier at restaurants and as a private chef in Ontario and Nova Scotia for years. She combines her culinary skills and artistic sense to make food look beautiful and delectable for both television and print where her work is seen in the most popular food television shows.