Winter Cooking Classes at Franklin Park Conservatory

rachel tayse teaching at franklin park kitchenStay fresh in the kitchen this winter - take a class with me at the Franklin Park Conservatory!  Register by calling 614.645.5923 or download a registration form here. Delicious Dough (ages 3-5 and their favorite adult) Kids will make a moldable raw dough and a yeast-risen dough. Class participants will also create a scent-sational home decoration ornament. Thursday, January 20, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. $15 Members; $20 Non-Members

Spectacular Spices (ages 3-5) Winter weather calls for tasty spice-rich dishes. We’ll discover where sweet and savory spices come from, grind our own cinnamon and nutmeg for a spice cake, mix spices into a vegetable curry, and create a pomander from oranges and cloves. Thursday, February 10, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. $15 Members; $20 Non-Members

Cold Nights, Warm Memories (family) Heat up evening meals with savory soups. In this workshop for all ages, we will cook three tasty soups that can be customized to your family style. Chili with all the toppings, corn chowder, and Italian white bean and greens are on the menu. Sunday, February 27, 2 - 3:30 p.m. $20 Members; $25 Non-members

Greens (ages 3-5) Winter greens are so sweet and tasty that even veggie-averse kids will be tempted to taste the green monster smoothie, kale chips, and pesto we cook up in this vitamin rich class. Thursday, March 10, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. $15 Members; $20 Non-Members

Charcuterie/Smoking (adult) Charcuterie is the act of curing meat by salt, smoke, or dehydration. Home cooks will learn how to apply these concepts to their cooking to delicious effect. Participants will enjoy a light meal featuring cured meat and stuffed sausage to take home. Tuesday, March 15, 6:30 - 8 p.m. $30 Members; $35 Non-members

Seeds to Grow and Eat! (family) Seeds, the starting germ of a plant, can be eaten, sown, or sprouted. We will explore all three options in this family workshop. We will cook three snacks from seeds and create an indoor herb garden to take home. Sunday, March 27, 2 - 3:30 p.m. $20 Members; $25 Non-members

Kids Cook in the PreK Zone at Franklin Park

kids cooking classes at franklin park conservatoryThe Franklin Park Conservatory is expanding their Food Education program with the new PreK Zone.  Yours truly will be the teacher! Three to six year olds in the PreK Zone will prepare and eat simple whole foods dishes in my Kids Cook hands-on format.  Classes will highlight the seasonal ingredients uniquely available in the Scott’s Miracle Grow Community Garden Campus.  I am very excited to work with the horticulture staff at the Conservatory to make use of the produce grown there.

The series begins with two Creative Cookies classes Thursday, December 16 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. and Tuesday December 21 from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. in the beautiful and well equipped Education Pavilion. Each class costs $15 for conservatory members and $20 for non-members.

Registration and details about future classes are available online at http://www.fpconservatory.org/programsfoodedu.htm or by calling the Franklin Park registrar at 614.645.5923.

Announcing Hounds in the Kitchen Fall 2010 Classes

Are you mystified by canning?  Seeking great sausages?  Curious about cooking with children? Look no further than the Hounds in the Kitchen Fall 2010 class schedule for hands on workshops, tours, and more to excite you about the harvest season.

Email me with any questions you may have.  I hope to see you at a class soon!

Kid’s Day at the Hills Sat. August 21, 11 am—1 pm. Hills Market. FREE

Kid friendly demonstrations and taste stations.  I am making tortillas with any child who wants to help!

Harvest Homestead Tour Sat. September 11, 11 am —1 pm.  Our home, 349 Tibet Rd. 43202.  FREE

Tour our homestead at harvest time.  We’ll share dishes preserved throughout the summer’s bounty.

Kids Cook Awesome Apples Thurs. September 16, 4:30 –6 pm North Market Dispatch Kitchen. $25

Did you know there is a hidden star in every apple?  Children will learn where the star lies and three distinct ways to enjoy local autumn apples in this class for 4 to 8 year olds.  Participants will practice peeling, measuring and mixing while making fresh apple slaw, apple stuffed squash and apple upside down cake.  Register online or call 614-463-9664.

Home Charcuterie Sat. September 18, noon —2 pm.  349 Tibet Rd 43202.  $35

In this class Alex and I will discuss and share fresh and cured meats.  Then, the group will grind, mix, and stuff three types of sausage from local meats.  Participants take home 2 pounds!  Email me to register for limited spots.

Kids Cook Pounds of Pumpkins Thurs. October 14 4:30 –6 pm North Market Dispatch Kitchen. $25

4-8 year olds will puree, pound, and pierce while creating roasted pumpkin soup, spiced pumpkin muffins, and pint-sized pumpkin pies. Register online or call 614-463-9664.

Applesauce Making and Canning Sun. October 24 2 - 4 pm.  Our home, 349 Tibet Rd. 43202 $10

Give yourself the gift of autumn flavor for anytime of year!  In this class we will make and can applesauce from Ohio apples.  Each participant will go home with a jar to enjoy.  Email me to register for limited spots.

Regular readers will note that weekly Kids Cook classes are not on the schedule.  I'm putting them on hiatus this autumn while I work on some professional development.  Please consider enrolling your children in one of the North Market classes listed above.

Kids Cook Summer Camps

kids cook daycamp columbus ohioI am excited to offer four summer day camps for kids who love to cook and eat! Each camp will be an extended edition of the weekly Kids Cook series.  In an open, creative environment, kids will taste and reflect on local healthy foods.  All the senses will be engaged through story, hands on cooking, and art.

What's special about Kid's Cook camps?  We will explore every part of the ingredients from how they're grown to tasting raw to how they are cooked.  We also cook everything from scratch giving children experience chopping, measuring, and mixing.  Finally, children will direct the menus this summer.  They will choose dishes THEY want to make.  Join me for one or more of the camps listed below!

Kids Cook Breakfast - From waffles to eggs, fruit to frittata, kid cooks will plan breakfast menus, make meals, and record their experiences in their breakfast cookbook.  Children will also have the opportunity to decorate a reusable cereal bowl.

Tuesday June 15-Thursday June 17 at Sprout Soup, 4310 N High Street 43214. 10 am – 12 pm ages 3 – 5 years, 1 pm – 3 pm ages 6 and up, $75, register here

Kids Cook Lunch - Together we'll choose and make dishes for daily picnic lunches. Kid cooks will decorate a reusable lunch bag and illustrate a lunch cookbook.

Tues. June 29-Thurs. July 1 at Sprout Soup, 4310 N High Street 43214. 10 am – 12 pm ages 3 – 5 years, 1 pm – 3 pm ages 6 and up, $75, register here

Kids Cook Dinner - Cooks will create dinner menus and cook favorite hearty recipes from local foods.  They will also hand dye an apron sized just for them to encourage making dinner at home.

Tues. Aug 3-Thurs. Aug.5th at Sprout Soup, 4310 N High Street 43214. 10 am – 12 pm ages 3 – 5 years, 1 pm – 3 pm ages 6 and up, $75, register here kids cooking food art camp columbus ohio

OpenHeartART Food Camp- Explore nutrition and food through cooking,  music, and art at the OpenHeartART studios.  In this camp, children will have the opportunity to create edible art, used edibles to make art works, and even make instruments from food packaging.

Monday Wednesday & Friday August 16, 18 & 20 at OpenHeartART, 280 W Lakeview 43202. Ages 3-5 10am-12pm, ages 6 & up 2pm-4pm, $75, Register at OpenHeartART
Please contact me with any questions about summer programs.  I hope to see you and your little one at a camp this summer!

April Kids Cooking Classes

April has five Thursdays, which means five Kids Cook classes!  Children aged 3 - 6 years can join me at Sprout Soup (4310 N High St) from 11:15 am - 12 pm.  Here are the topics for April: Thursday, April 1 - Butter

Thursday, April 8 - Veggie Sushi

Thursday, April 15 - Lettuce

Thursday, April 22 - Earth Day Eats

Thursday, April 29 - Mint

Each Kids Cook class costs $4 per child.  We make at least two dishes together, taste them, and kids go home with a recipe card.  All classes are nut and meat free.  Allergies can be accommodated with advance notification to Rachel.  RSVP is not required.

April's special event is Edible Container Gardening!  Families or individuals will learn how to grow vegetables and herbs in pots by making a salad container garden to take home. Saturday April 17 from 2 - 3 p.m. at Sprout Soup.  $20 per container which can be shared among a family.  Please reserve your space by emailing Rachel.

Last but not least (and not in April!) don't forget about the Edible Urban Gardening class this coming Tuesday, March 30, at Greenovate (9 E. Second St) from 7 -8  pm.  Free, no RSVP required.

Local Food & Gardening Events - March 2010

The snow is melting and spring is around the corner.  Columbus has an abundance of interesting local food and gardening events again this month.  Enjoy! Hounds in the Kitchen events

Kids Cook - Thursdays from 11:15am-12pm at Sprout Soup.  This month we'll be going bananas on the 4th, serving up maple syrup on the 11th, and cooking the exotic quinoa on the 18th.  $4 per child.

Kids Cook EGGstravaganza - Saturday March 20 from 12 - 1:30 pm. at Sprout Soup.  Kids of all ages can join in the fun of decorating an egg, making a late lunch, and visiting with a laying hen.  $5 per child; $15 family maximum.  Please RSVP to Rachel.

Urban Edible Gardens - Tuesday March 30 from 7 -8 pm at Greenovate, 9 East 2nd Ave Columbus 43201.  Come to Rachel's workshop filled with techniques on how to include an edible garden in your environment, be it a backyard, patio, or deck.  She will share information about raised beds, containers, plants best suited to Ohio conditions, and low impact low budget tips to start gardening this season.

Events hosted by others (in chronological order)

Maple Syrup festivals are being held around the city.  Check out the Maple Syrup 2010 post for dates and locations.

Columbus Winter Farmer's Market March 6 and 20 from 9 am - 1 pm at First UU Church, 93 W Weisheimer Dr.  Purchase Ohio grown and made goods, enjoy live music and space to sit and chat at the Winter Farmer's Market.  (Here's my review from a January visit.)

Urban and Container Gardening- Saturday, March 06, 2010 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Stratford Ecological Center 3083 Liberty Rd., Delaware, OH.  Stratford’s farmer will gear this class to the small backyard or patio grower, sharing information on rainwater harvesting, composting, maximizing your space, extending the growing season, and using containers to “grow your own.” $20/person or $30/family.

Hills Market Oscar Dinner - March 6 - $35 per person - 6:30 p.m. at Hills Market. This dinner, served in the Wine Department, is a compilation of courses inspired by all five 2009 Oscar Nominees for Best Picture. This evening will feature five courses, four wines and three film critics: John DeSando, co-host of WCBE’s It's Movie Time, Cinema Classics, and On the Marquee, Johnny DiLoretto co-host of WCBE's Cinema Classics and entertainment reporter for Fox 28, and Kristin Dreyer Kramer, co-host of WCBE’s It's Movie Time and On the Marquee and editor-in-chief of NightsAndWeekends.com. $35 per person.  Call 614.846.3220 or e-mail manager@thehillsmarket.com for reservations.

North Market cooking classes include Seafood Suppers on Sunday March 7, and Eastern European on Wednesday March 24.  Their chef series continues with The Refectory on Thursday March 18 and Trattoria Roma on Wednesday the 31.  All classes are $50 per person or $125 for 3.  Visit their events calendar for more information.

Ohio Market Day - March 13, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. At Hills Market. This event features dozens of our favorite Ohio vendors, more than 100 prizes, free hot dogs from Boar's Head (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) workshops and a day-long midwest beer sampling in the Wine Department.  Free.

Composting Workshop - Tuesday March 16 7 pm at Worthington Library, 820 High St.  Attendees will learn safe, simple and effective methods to start their own home composting program in this FREE workshop. All are welcome!

King Corn and Big River movie screenings - March 22 at 7 pm at Studio 35.  This event is held in celebration of World Water Day, while we also kick off Earth Month with Aveda Institute Columbus. Join us and find out more! Doors open at 6pm and the movie begins at 7pm. Admission is $7.50 and a portion of the proceeds will go to Sierra Club's Central Ohio Clean Water Campaign.

Ohio Maple Dinner - March 23 at 6:30 p.m. at Hills Market. Enjoy a perfectly-balanced three course meal (paired with wines hand selected by Wine Director Constance Begue) to complement the delicious maple syrup harvested by Lewisville, Ohio's Misty Mountain Estates. $35 per person. Call 614.846.3220 or e-mail manager@thehillsmarket.com for reservations.

What's on Your Table? - Saturday March 27 from 9am - 1:30pm at Columbus Menonite Church, 35 Oakland park ave.  An intriguing discussion led by trailblazing Cleveland chef & well-known food advocate, Parker Bosley. Local foods pioneer, Mary Holmes, will give the keynote, followed by presentations from area food activists arranged by the Clintonville Farmer's Market.  $12 for materials and lunch.

Organic Gardening - Saturday March 27 from 10 am - 12 pm at Stratford Ecological Center, Delaware Ohio. Gardening without chemicals is nothing new; humans thrived on naturally-grown food for centuries. In this class, you’ll observe the organic perspective of viewing your garden as a natural and diverse system, learning the basics of composting, companion planting, crop rotations, pest control and more. Pictures will inspire and clarify. $20/person or $30/family.

Raised Beds and Natural Gardening 101, Saturday, March 27, 2010 at Blue Rock Station, Zanesville, Ohio.  Learn how to use thermal mass, passive solar, and lots of other easy techniques to enhance your garden growing knowledge and become a true eco-manager.  $35 per person.  E-mail Annie at annie@bluerockstation.com  or give her a call at (740) 674-4300 for reservations.

Black Bean Salsa and Smashed Beans

This week we cooked two black bean dishes at the Kids Cook class.  Beans of all kinds are high in fiber and protein.  The following two recipes are easy for kids to make and enjoy!

Black Bean Salsa

1 avacado, chopped into half inch pieces

1 green onion, chopped

1 red pepper, chopped into small dice

1 clove garlic, chopped

1 16 ounce can black beans, drained, or 2 cups cooked from dry beans

1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped or 1 tsp dry

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

1/2 lime, juiced

Mix all ingredients together.  Serve with corn chips or celery sticks.

Smashed Black Beans

1 16 ounce can black beans, drained, or 2 cups cooked from dry beans

2 tbsp tahini or fresh ground sesame seeds

1/2 lemon, juiced

2 tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp kosher salt

Mash beans and salt together with a fork or potato masher.  Stir in the rest of the ingredients until smooth.  Serve with tortilla chips, pita bread, or carrot sticks.

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Congratulations to the three winners of the Columbus Home and Garden Show tickets: Jamie, Mimi, and Kellie!

Thanks to all who entered!

Local Food & Gardening Events February 2010

There is no excuse for being bored in Columbus this February!  I have found hundreds of interesting events and whittled down to this list of select local food and gardening events.  Some are listed on the Hounds in the Kitchen calendar if you prefer the visual approach.  As always, leave a comment if you have an event to add or recommend. Cooking Class: Erin Chittum from M

February 2, 6:30 pm, Hills Market

This two hour class will start in our kitchen, as Chef Chittum creates a three course meal. We'll serve that full meal, along with accompanying wines selected by Constance Begue, in our Wine Department. The class is $45 per person and requires reservations.

Field and Screen Film Series at The Wexner Center

Various dates and times starting Feb 3.

The food industry grows, processes, and distributes what we eat more cheaply and efficiently than at any point in history.  Field & Screen features some of the best recent documentaries to address these issues along with films that illustrate the wonderful pleasures that food offers us.  A discussion with local food stars Jaime Moore, Jeni Britton Bauer, and Amy Bodiker on AgriCulture from 7 - 10 PM February 3 kicks off the series.

Dine Originals Chef Series Class ~ Rigsby's Kitchen

Wednesday, February 3, 2010, 6:30 - 8:30 PM, North Market

Watch demonstrations and eat dishes from Kent Rigsby. Class $50 (any 3 classes for $125)

Slow Wine at the Vine

Wednesday, February 3, 6-9 p.m., Twisted Vine

Joining Slow Food Columbus for Slow Wine at The Twisted Vine in Grandview, where wine will be poured by the glass or by the bottle with a $5 corkage fee.

Kids Cook - Oranges

Thursday, February 4, 11:15 am - 12 pm, Sprout Soup

3 - 6 year olds will create and taste recipes with a variety of oranges and create a pomander to take home with Rachel Tayse of Hounds in the Kitchen.

Vegetarian Cooking at Wild Goose Creative

Sun, Feb 7, 7pm – 9pm

Join Columbus Chef Instructor Laura Robertson-Boyd introduces us to the concept of eating vegetarian. Find out what to eat to get the necessary nutrients with plenty of delicious samples. $10

Cooking Class: Keith Adams from Tip Top Kitchen

Feb 9, 6:30 pm, North Market

Tip Top Kitchen's Chef Keith Adams will be present a menu of two Tip Top favorites as well as one of his own dessert specialties during this two hour class. We'll start with a one hour presentation in our kitchen followed by his three course meal with accompanying wines in the Wine Department. The class is $35 per person and requires reservations.

Dine Originals Chef Series Class ~ Alana's Food + Wine

Wednesday, February 10, 2010, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m, North Market

Chef Alana Shock and Pastry Chef Devon Morgan will demonstrate and serve delicious dishes.  Class $50 (any 3 classes for $125)

Kids Cook - Honey

Thursday, February 11, 11:15 am - 12 pm, Sprout Soup

3 - 6 year olds will create and taste recipes with honey and create a heart shaped treat to take home with Rachel Tayse of Hounds in the Kitchen.

School of Cooking Class ~ Vegetarian Cooking

Thursday, February 11, 2010, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.,  North Market

Join Holistic Nutritionist Liz Clapacs for education and tasting of vegetarian cooking techniques.  Class $50 (any 3 classes for $125)

OEFFA's 31st Annual Conference: "Growing with Integrity, Eating with Intention" Saturday, February 13 - Sunday, February 14, 2010, Granville, Ohio

The conference will have a full offering of informative, hands-on, educational workshops; exhibitors; a fun and educational kids’ conference; great homemade meals featuring local, organic foods; Saturday evening entertainment; networking opportunities; and dynamic keynote speakers—Joel Salatin and Chef Ann Cooper.  Rachel's workshop is from 10:30 - 11:25 AM on Saturday the 13th.

Kids Cook - Garlic

Thursday, February 18, 11:15 am - 12 pm, Sprout Soup

3 - 6 year olds will create and taste recipes with garlic and plant a garlic chive to take home with Rachel Tayse of Hounds in the Kitchen.

North Market Fiery Foods Festival

Saturday, February 20, activities from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., North Market

Salsa Contest, Hot Sauce Contest, Customer Chili Cook-off,  Hot Pepper and Hot Wing Eating Contests, and more!  Visit the link above for details on how to participate and the whole event schedule.

Knife Skills Class

Sat, February 20, 8:30am – 11:30am, Wild Goose Creative
Chef instructor Laura Robertson-Boyd will lead a beginners knife-skills class at Wild Goose Creative. Skills taught will include chiffonade, mincing, julienne, small dicing, amongst many others. The $50 registration fee includes produce and recipes, and knives and cutting boards will be provided for use in the class. Registration is limited - please email info@wildgoosecreative.com for more information or to register.

Sustainable Clintonville Winter Gardening Close to Home

Monday, February 22, 2010 at Cafe Bela, located at 2593 N. High Street Columbus, OH 43202. Starting at 7pm

Our hosts will share with us what gardening and food production efforts they are making on-site even during the winter months. Also presenting will be local producers and residents practicing some of the many ways we might produce food for ourselves and our neighbors even during the cold winter months here in Columbus.

February 24 at 6:30 p.m., Hills Market

This class will feature simple dishes from Japanese and Thai cuisine that create a basis for learning more. She’ll also cover wok and stir-fry basics.  The class is $35 per person and requires reservations.

Kids Cook - Black Beans

Thursday, February 25, 11:15 am - 12 pm, Sprout Soup

3 - 6 year olds will create and taste recipes with black beans including a dip and brownies with Rachel Tayse of Hounds in the Kitchen.

"Meet Your Farmers" A Community Supported Agriculture Fair

Thursday, Feb. 25th, 5-7pm., Wexner Center for the Arts

Representatives from several local farms, including Wayward Seed Farm, will be in the café to speak with guests individually about the virtues and possibilities of community supported agriculture (CSA).

Sustainable Worthington Open Meeting

Thursday, February 25, 7-8:30 pm Old Worthington Library (820 High Street) Meeting Room

Please join us to talk about sustainability in Worthington and connect with each other. We will talk about specific areas of interest including community gardens, education, outreach, helping to make Worthington more walkable/bikeable and local foods. All are welcome!

Central Ohio Home & Garden Show

February 27, 2010 - March 07, 2010, Ohio Expo Center

The show is the region's most exciting and interactive home and garden show, featuring more than 400 exhibits and attractions. Adults $8. Children free.

Cooking with Kids: Why, What, and How

Sunday February 28, 1 – 2 pm, Sprout Soup

Rachel from Hounds in the Kitchen will share techniques for making cooking with the whole family more enjoyable.   This workshop for adults only is free!