Learn to bake bread using freshly milled whole grains and natural sourdough starters. Explore how to use grains such as spelt, einkorn, rye, and others to create delicious breads from a wide spectrum of baking traditions. Gain a firm foundation in bread baking principles and techniques, giving you the tools and confidence to make your own nutritious, whole grain sourdoughs at home. Note: materials fee may exceed $100.

Get a literal taste of Folk School magic as you make four projects in four studios! In the cooking studio, bake and decorate (and eat!) elegant sugar cookies that double as delicious works of art. Turn a wooden rolling pin on the lathe and weave a European-style bakery basket perfect for displaying oven-fresh goods. Use the tools and methods of 19th-century tinsmiths to create functional items to continue your baking journey at home. Note: materials fee may exceed $100.

Gain the hands-on experience and confidence you need to brew your own high-quality craft beer at home. Explore the many different styles of beer through tasting and discussion, then try your hand at brewing batches of 1, 5, and 10 gallons using partial extract and all-grain methods. Learn about equipment options, proper sanitation techniques, yeast handling, and how to bottle and keg beer. Smell the hops, nibble the grains, and taste the adjuncts that make up great beer recipes. Minimum age 21.

Travel back in time to the 19th century and explore hearth cooking from the heyday of the Shakers. Learn to build and manage a hearth fire, use a bake oven, and read historical recipes while tapping into the Shakers’ focus on seasonality, preservation, healing cookery, and fostering community through food. New Shaker members brought their own outside experiences to the group; equally, you are welcome to bring culinary knowledge from any cultural group to share with the class.

Home bakers—if you desire a deeper understanding of bread making and improved techniques, join us to fully examine each step of the process. Start with a basic white dough and explore bread science, preferments and recipe structure, mixing, fermentation/rising, shaping, proofing, and baking. Use these essential steps on new doughs such as a wet ciabatta or whole wheat. All levels welcome; some kitchen experience is highly recommended.

Learn to make flaky, tender, buttery croissants, pies, and puff pastry treats in this class dedicated to gluten free laminated pastries! We’ll dive into the science of gluten free baking, make our own flour blends, and practice the dough handling techniques needed to make the delicious, flaky pastries that you’ve been missing. Please note that while we take precautions and clean between classes, the studio is not a dedicated gluten-free kitchen.

Rise to the challenge of baking artisan loaves! Explore the traditions and practices of making homemade bread, and identify the essential ingredients and equipment needed to recreate authentic recipes in your home kitchen. We’ll study the fermentation process and explore how to create and use sourdough starters for maximum flavor. With some basic recipes and a better understanding of terminology, ingredients, and methods, you will be on your way to delicious daily bread!

Some foods are so ubiquitous that many cultures have developed their own interpretations. Think: dumplings, greens, and rice and beans. Join us to explore different versions of such dishes and discover how geography and culture have influenced their development. Plus, spend some time learning to identify and effectively use various herbs and spices. All levels welcome. Note: materials fee may exceed $100.

Expand your cooking and baking skills in a relaxed atmosphere with hands-on instruction and have a ball doing it! We’ll cover knife skills, simple sauce and soup making, seasonal vegetable preparation, and baking basics. Learn new techniques and recipes that will give you more comfort in the kitchen. The class will culminate in a delicious, shared meal and a sampler of creations to take home. All skill levels are welcome.

Learn how to make everyone feel welcome at the table, regardless of dietary restrictions or food allergies. We’ll cover adaptations for some common dietary limitations (vegetarian, vegan, gluten, dairy, eggs) using classic cooking techniques, fresh produce, and layers of flavor. While we take precautions to avoid the cross-contamination of sensitive ingredients, the cooking studio is not a dedicated gluten-free, dairy-free, or nut-free kitchen. Note: materials fee may exceed $100.

Grow your own kitchen apothecary as we explore medicinal herbs, spices, and wild plant foods that help keep us vibrant and healthy. Explore healing broths, fermented foods, and wildcrafted tea blends, plus salves, syrups, tinctures, and more! Build confidence in creating wholesome, plant-based recipes and herbal medicines using organic, locally grown, and ethically foraged Appalachian ingredients. This class includes gentle walks over uneven terrain to gather fresh ingredients. Note: material...

Learn the basics of gluten-free baking. Explore various grain and nut flours, and discover techniques to convert your favorite recipes to gluten-free delights. We’ll make sweet and savory pies with tender and flaky crusts, fluffy cakes, and a variety of artisan breads that even gluten-eaters will love. Please note that while every precaution will be taken to reduce the chance of cross-contamination, this is not a dedicated gluten-free kitchen.

Have you always wanted to make the dazzling confectionary creations seen on television cake shows? You can! During this week of baking and cake decorating, discover the skills behind decorative elements such as crumb coatings, smooth icing, and fondant art that makes your jaw drop. Master the latest trends and build the skills and confidence you need to create your own delicious works of art. All levels welcome.

Join the founder of our culinary program and author of The Folk School Cookbook for a week of cooking and sharing. Learn to can jams and chutneys, make flaky butter crust for sweet or savory fillings, and prepare entrées with a little meat and lots of vegetables. Fire up the brick oven for bread and soups cooked on the open hearth. From dried apple stack cake to potato cauliflower curry, enjoy new and familiar dishes from Appalachia and beyond. All levels welcome.

From broths to bannocks, explore 18th- and early 19th-century Scottish hearth cooking. Learn to build and manage a hearth fire, use a bake oven, read historic recipes, and locate obscure foodstuffs. No experience required, just a curiosity about an unsung but delicious cookery. Students are welcome to bring and share any knowledge they may have of historic cooking techniques from any cultural group. Note: materials fee may exceed $100.

Experience the thrill of foraging for unique wild flavors as we explore the bountiful, edible landscape of southern Appalachia. Learn to cook from nature using locally grown and sustainably foraged wild ingredients. Build confidence identifying and transforming wild edible plants from field and forest into wholesome and delicious dishes. This class includes foraging outings to gather wild ingredients; students should be prepared for short hikes over uneven terrain.