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Class Itinerary:
Your day begins at a small dairy on Vashon Island, where you’ll gain a clear, hands-on understanding of how milk moves from pasture to product. You’ll observe the morning milking, discuss animal care and daily operations, and then work with fresh cream to create homemade butter in a simple, approachable method. In the kitchen, you’ll make a cultured dairy product—yogurt, crème fraîche, or ricotta—learning how to replicate each step confidently at home.
Late morning is devoted to sourdough. A local baker focused on regional grain and wild fermentation will guide the group through the fundamentals of maintaining a starter, working with wild yeast, and understanding fermentation timelines. You’ll practice mixing and folding dough and leave with a healthy sourdough starter and practical notes for home baking.
The workshop continues at a nearby farm, where guests gather eggs directly from the coop and forage seasonal nettles from the surrounding property. A brief lesson on raising chickens and understanding small-scale flock management helps contextualize the ingredients you collect.
Moving back to the kitchen, you’ll attend a comprehensive knife sharpening and skills session. Under expert guidance, you’ll learn how to use sharpening stones or rods, restore a clean edge, and practice safe, efficient knife techniques. Guests finish the day with a deeper confidence in essential homestead and kitchen fundamentals.
In the early afternoon, as we prepare for our late lunch, we’ll lead an instruction-focused session on cooking game over fire. You’ll learn how to build a reliable cooking fire from the ground up—wood selection, airflow, heat zones—and apply those skills while preparing a local wild game. The emphasis is on technique, safety, and developing a feel for cooking over open flame.
To conclude we’ll enjoy a late lunch together around the table. Snacks and beverages will be available throughout the duration of this event.
A note on dietary restrictions. This class focuses on dairy, and gluten. We are not able to offer alternatives for dairy or gluten, but are happy to accommodate other needs such as nut allergies or vegetarian. Get in touch!
