February 2009                        Volume 6, Issue 2       version 120                 06/20/2009

      

Traveling Class Schedule and Other Events                        Biography                Personalized events

 

The Second Edition of

Cooking with the Seasons; A Year in My Kitchen

has been published in paperback by Bounty Press.

$24.95 plus shipping

 

Click on the book cover to order.      

 

 

 

Classes

<<< NEW >>> The FREE Driftless Job Shadow Program will be offered Mondays and Tuesdays July through September.  Click here.

 

Tell your friends; come as a group (many do).

I reserve the right to cancel classes

for unforeseen circumstances beyond my control,

in which cases you will be completely reimbursed.

 

Instruction and material are included with tasting afterwards

 

Gift Certificates are available.

 

Come and join us for evenings of learning and tasting.

 

Still undecided?  See the answers to Why take cooking classes?

 

Celebrating 42 years of teaching

My students have taught me as much as I have taught them since my first class in New York in 1966.   I have enjoyed their enthusiasm and camaraderie as they learn and share in preparing every kind of food.  I hear from many of them, who still use the recipes they have cherished for years.  Here in the hills and valleys of southwestern Wisconsin I continue the same tradition that took me from New York to Chicago to here.  I use locally grown organic foods whenever possible. I joyfully cook the way I learned, close to the seasonal foods I use, with the bonus that here they are mostly organic and locally grown.  My goal is for you to connect to the land through food by cooking with all your senses.

 

Each class covers know how and the many techniques for your everyday cooking. I use recipes as a guide and share different approaches in preparing them.

 

Bon Appetit!

 

The Driftless Summer 2009 Job Shadow Program

After many years of teaching cooking and living sustainably, I realize how important it is, at any age, to learn the basics of living sustainably.  So I am offering an opportunity for young people and the young at heart, from middle school onwards, to learn by creating a Job Shadow program here in my kitchen and garden.  Learning from my part in the Farm to School program, I think this is my best opportunity to give back to our community what I can share.  Job Shadow gives a view into all aspects of food production.  Observe not only the characteristics and responsibilities of the job, but what cooking day-to-day requires.  Get the answers to the questions:  Why do I have to learn this?  Would I want to make this job a career?   How does will this benefit me in the future?  How does food grow?  How do I prepare it?  How do I preserve it?  Achieve the goals of developing a work ethic for the future, providing yourself a model for healthy living, learning of possible careers, of the benefits of knowing about sustainability, demonstrating  a tangible commitment to supporting and improving the community, and feeling personal satisfaction.  You may sign up for as many days as you like.

 

                                   See dates below                              10am-4pm                Free

Monday July 6th, Tuesday July 7th, Monday July 13th,, Tuesday July 21st, Monday July 27th, Tuesday July 28th, Monday August 3rd, Tuesday August 4th, Monday August 10th, Monday August 17th ,Tuesday August 18th, Monday August 24th, Tuesday August 25th, Tuesday September 22nd and Tuesday September 29th.                                                     

A DAY’S ACTIVITIES

First part of the day - 2 Hours:

Hands on in the garden in the morning by helping with the upkeep of the garden and harvesting whatever is ready.

This activity will expose each participant to learning the different plants/herbs, their growing habits and the care necessary to keep them thriving.

 

Second part of the day - 2 hours:
Bring the harvest (if any) into the kitchen and learn how to cook a portion of it for lunch.

This activity will include teamwork from start to serving. Recipe developing.

 

Third part of the day – 2 hours

Learn how to preserve food for the cold months to come,

We call this activity  “The 5th Season”:  Canning/freezing/drying

 

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Pass the word around! Bring a friend

 

 

Call me to schedule a class.  See Customized events below.

 

 

Traveling class schedule and other events

 

Customized events

Get away for lunch or an evening.  Choose from:

Learn over lunch or dinner

Get a group together and we will work out a topic just for you.  Lunch, dinner or a class can be customized for groups ranging from 8 to 12 people, built around a learning experience, demonstration or full-sized class.  For your group, whether it’s a birthday, friends, a Red Hat Society outing, garden group, family reunion or shower, just to name a few, pick a demonstration lecture on a topic you choose having to do with food and its preparation, with a tasting afterwards in the form of a lunch or dinner.

$50 per person for demonstration class and lunch or supper 3 hours maximum

See below for 6 course dinner

 

Private dining

Have a night out to celebrate with friends, family or business associates in Monique’s bluff side log home..  The seasonal six-course gourmet dinner will be designed just for your group, based on your tastes.  By reservation only for groups of  10 or more.  I reserve the right to cancel if minimum participation is not met.  Please make your reservation early. 

$65 per person with beverages

 

Team building

Work together as a team to prepare a complete menu in this four hour, hands on class.  It is designed to be fun while accomplishing the task at hand.

$65 per person

 

WHY TAKE COOKING CLASSES?

1)  Spend an evening out for dinner with friends and meet new friends.

2)  Learn techniques and acquire kitchen know how you can use in your everyday cooking.  Make your life easier in the kitchen.

3)  Learn about herbs, spices and other ingredients.

4)  Get answers to many questions that have gone unanswered for you for so long.

5)  Share your common passion with others.

 

 

Sincerely, Monique

 

 

 

THE DRIFTLESS SUMMER 2009 JOB SHADOW PROGRAM

FREE FOR ANYONE

 

After so many years of teaching cooking and sustainable living, I have come to realize how important it is at any age to learn the basic of being sustainable.

Out of this thinking and being so involve with the Farm to School program I have decided to offer an opportunity for young people and young at heart, from middle school on, to learn by creating a Job Shadow program here in my kitchen/garden, an Opportunity for me to give back through community service

 

Job Shadow is a win-win situation for all involved! Each participant gains unique benefits from Job Shadowing:

 

For Students/Participants:

Provides an answer to many questions: “Why do I have to learn this?” “Would I want to make this job a career?”, “ How does this will benefit me for the future?”, How does it grow and How do I prepare it and put some up?

It gives a view into all aspects involved in a production of food. Students can observe not only job characteristics and responsibilities, but also what the cooking requires on a day-to-day basis.

 

Goals for all participants:

To help develop a work ethic for the future and to provide a model for a healthy living

To show students career possibilities and the benefits of knowing about sustainability

To demonstrate a tangible commitment to supporting and improving the community

To create a feeling of personal satisfaction  


 

                                                           

A DAY’S ACTIVITIES

 

First part of the day - 2 Hours:

Hands on in the garden in the morning by helping with the upkeep of the garden and harvesting whatever is ready.

This activity will expose each participant to learning the different plants/herbs, their growing habits and the care necessary to keep them thriving.

 

Second part of the day - 2 hours:
Bring the harvest (if any) into the kitchen and learn how to cook a portion of it for lunch

This activity will include teamwork from start to serving. Recipe developing

 

Third part of the day – 2 hours

Learn how to preserve food for the cold months to come,

We call this activity  “The 5th Season”: Canning/freezing/drying

 

 

PROGRAM/S SCHEDULE

Time: 10 AM - 4 PM

Monday:

July 6th – 13th – 27th

August – 3rd – 10th – 17th – 24th

 

Tuesday:

July 7th – 21st – 28th

August 4th – 18th – 25th

September 22nd – 29th

 

You may signed up for as many days as you like-

 

For reservation and directions:

 

Call 608 648 2409 or email: monique@mwt.net

 

 

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Pass the word around! Bring a friend

 

Sincerely

 

Monique