By Laura Stec
E-mail Laura Stec
About this blog: I've been attracted to food for good and bad reasons for many years. From eating disorder to east coast culinary school, food has been my passion, profession & nemesis. I've been a sugar addict, a 17-year vegetarian, a food and en...
(More)
About this blog: I've been attracted to food for good and bad reasons for many years. From eating disorder to east coast culinary school, food has been my passion, profession & nemesis. I've been a sugar addict, a 17-year vegetarian, a food and environment pioneer, macrobiotic, Master Cleanser, ayurvedic, and officially-designated health-nut or party-girl (depending on the year). Professionally, I've worn many industry hats including: line cook, corporate chef, Food Coach, caterer, product developer, restaurant reviewer, culinary school teacher, corporate wellness educator, food co-op clerk, author, and even Cirque-du-Soleil lead popcorn concessioner! For years I managed an outdoor kitchen, deep in the bear-infested woods of Tahoe, and also for hospitals (the most unhealthy kitchen I ever worked in?), Singapore high-rises, mule-pack trips, Canadian catholic rectories, and more events than I could ever recall. Yet I still keep discovering. Actually, I adapt everyday by new lessons learned from teachers, customers and students. However there is one food truth I now hold sacrosanct: Eaters are motivated by pleasure. So no matter what we discuss here - recipes or restaurants, food politics or pairings, local events, food as art, or even as God, I will always come from a high-vibe, party perspective. Oh I do still long to change the world with great tasting food, but know in my heart, "If it ain't fun, it don't get done!" So - wanna come to the Food Party? By the way - it's a potluck.
(Hide)
View all posts from Laura Stec
Some fabulous canning classes are coming up, sponsored by the University of California Cooperative Extension, and their Master Food Preserver program.
Check the website for more information on these fee-based classes, and sign up for email notices to keep abreast of upcoming events.
Fall classes meet at Elkus Ranch Environmental Education Center in Half Moon Bay, led by Extension volunteers who teach you how to preserve at home. Participants take home samples of each recipe prepared that day.
Upcoming Classes
Saturday, August 26: Smoking & Condiments
Sunday, September 10: Pickling
Sunday, September 17: Tomatoes
Saturday, October 28: Sourdough
Saturday, November 4: Prepare your Holiday Bar: Salts, Sugars and Garnishes (morning session) and shrubs/syrups (afternoon session)
Saturday, November 18: Holiday Gifts: Chutneys and Pepper Jellies (morning session) and Dehydrating (afternoon session)
If you are a resident of San Mateo or San Francisco county and have interest in teaching others about food preservation and safety, train to become a
Master Food Preserver, a program that consists of approximately 50 hours of instruction and hands on activities.
YES YOU CAN!