Hartstone Inn Camden Maine » Cooking School

Learning to Make Pasta at the Hartstone Inn

Meghan — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 01:29:49 +0000

This past Saturday and Sunday was a Cooking Class Weekend here at the Hartstone Inn and the topic was Pasta, Pasta, Pasta! Techniques included making the dough, coloring and flavoring different pastas, rolling and cutting various shapes, filling pastas such as raviolis and tortellini and finally, cooking pasta. Specific dishes included: Spinach Fettuccine Puttanesca with Shrimp, Farfalle with fresh Tomato, Basil and Roasted Garlic, Green Pea Ravioli with Lemon and Olive Oil and Potato Gnocchi with Lobster and Asparagus. There was just as much pasta eating as there was pasta making!

Are you interested in learning to make handmade pasta? Join us for a week long cooking school here at the Hartstone Inn with Italian Chef Benedetta Vitali. View the details on “Tradition and Innovation in Tuscan Cooking“. Along with cooking instruction they include a lobster bake, wine and cheese tastings, lunch daily and so much more!

Week Long Tuscan Foodie Adventure at the Hartstone Inn with Italian Chef Benedetta Vitali

Meghan — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 19:14:08 +0000

From the heart of Tuscany to the Hartstone Inn, join Chef Benedetta Vitali in Camden, Maine for a week of Tuscan cooking from June 4-8, 2012.

Benedetta Vitali is a chef who has lived and worked all her life in Florence, Italy. Benedetta is the author of the James Beard Award finalist Soffritto: Tradition and Innovation in Tuscan Cooking, in which she makes a compelling case for learning to cook as Italians do by fully engaging all of one’s senses and paying close attention to the transformation of ingredients that occurs during cooking rather than by following recipes slavishly. She has taught cooking classes across the United States as well as in Florence.

This cooking week package is only available to guests of the Inn and includes lodging for 5 evenings ( Sunday – Thursday) and breakfast for two each morning. The package is based on a single participant joining us for the course (second person course cost is an additional $525) which includes lunch each day, 6 cooking courses, 2 tastings, Sunday welcome dinner, Hartstone Inn apron and welcome amenity.

The week long package also includes:

* Private Welcome Dinner Sunday evening: Maine Lobster Bake on the beach at Michael and Mary Jo’s House with Italian favorites

* Fresh Mozzarella Cheese Making class at the State of Maine Cheese Company

* Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar tasting at Fiore Artisan Olive Oils and Vinegars

* Wine Tasting and Private Tour of the Cellardoor Winery

Traditional Room: $1250 / Superior Room: $1500 / Suite: $1650. The course is limited to 14 participants

Click here for more information.

Spring Cake Decorating Class May 19th

Meghan — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:42:03 +0000

Last month, we offered our first cake decorating class and the response was overwhelming. Not only did the class fill, but we had a waiting list of those who hoped to get in. It was instructed by Patricia Moroz of Starlight Custom Cakes whose talent is amazing and her class did not disappoint. We received nothing but positive feedback from each participant as they took home their beautifully decorated cake. It was for this reason, that we have asked Patricia to come back and teach another class in May.

In the Spring Cake Decorating Class, students will learn to make and color a variety of beautiful edible sugar flowers such as hydrangeas, triple layer gardenias and daffodils. In addition, each individual will be provided with a tray of full of completed sugar flowers and a fresh cake that has been finished with buttercream icing and covered in rolled fondant. Everyone will decorate each of their cakes with a variety of sugar flowers while learning how to attach sugar flowers to cakes, cupcakes, cookies and just about any type of baked goods. In addition to taking home their completed cakes and flowers, everyone will bring home a folder with simple to follow instructions, a vendor supply list and recipes will be provided to each individual making it simple for them to be able to make these at home. These sugar paste flowers can be made ahead of time and kept in sealed containers for months at a time making it convenient to use them as needed. This will be a fun and casual class and no experience at all is required! Weekend cooking class packages are $352 – $542 and include two nights lodging, breakfast each morning, afternoon cookies and tea, a gourmet candlelit dinner for two and enrollment for one in the cooking class. Enrollment for the class alone is $65 per person.

3 Dogs Cafe Pastry and Cooking Classes

Meghan — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:10:32 +0000

Have you always wanted to learn to cover a cake in fondant or make beautiful sugar cookies? 3 Dogs Cafe, located just five minutes from the Hartstone Inn in Rockport, Maine can show you how. Owner and Pastry Chef Steve Watts makes delicious sweets and amazing cakes that are for sale in his bakery. You might have seen him on the Food Network show Challenge where he showcased his talent for creative cake making.

Below is the 2012 class schedule. Any one of these classes can be added on to our Gourmet Getaway Package to add some extra fun to your time away! Not interested in baking? Cooking classes are offered too!

February 5^th – Valentine Sugar Cookies: Learn to make sugar dough & create beautiful holiday cookies.

February 12th – Chocolate Mousse Cake: Make and bake a chocolate cake and fill/frost it with chocolate mousse. Fun chocolate decorations will be made to decorate your cake! Just in time for valentines day!

February 18^th – Hors d’oeuvres – Hot & Cold: For the people that like to entertain and are tired of cheese and crackers.

February 26th – Pizza: Learn to make different pizza dough’s with lots of topping ideas. Great affordable ideas to make with the whole family!

March 1st – Rolled Fondant: Learn to cover a cake with this edible clay. You’ll be shown different techniques. (All the cakes Steve created on the food network challenges were covered in fondant)

April 1st – Basic Cake Decorating: Learn to put buttercream on a cake like a professional and decorate with different ideas shown in class. Additional $15.00 charge for take home pastry bags and tips.

April 15th – Fun with Pies: Cream pie, chiffon, meringue, lattice, custard, 2 crust and different pie shell options.

April 29th – Sugar Cookies: Make and decorate your own cookies. Over 500 cutters to choose from. Each person will get to make at least 10 cookies!

All classes are limited to 10 people and are hands on! Must be 12 years of age or older must bring your own rolling pin and apron if class requires. Classes start at 3pm and last approximately 2-3 hours. $40 per person.

Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour at Shag Rock Brewing Company

Meghan — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 18:38:24 +0000

Event date/time:

Saturday, January 14th, 1-3 pm

Are you a beer enthusiast? Join us at Shag Rock Brewing Company in Rockland for a brewery tour and a presentation of the beer brewing process. Your host for this adventure is Richard Ruggiero, a veteran brewing expert and Brew Master at Shag Rock Brewing Company. There will be a tasting of seasonal hand crafted Ales and Lagers (10-12 offerings), while evaluating their styles, origin and history.

Weekend packages at the Hartstone Inn are $352 – $542. They include two nights lodging, breakfast each morning, afternoon cookies and tea, a gourmet candlelit dinner for two and enrollment for one in the cooking class. Additional enrollment in this event is $45 per person.

Specialty Cake Decorating Class at the Hartstone Inn

Meghan — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 17:27:41 +0000

Saturday, January 21st, 1-3 pm

Join local cake decorator Patricia Moroz, of Starlight Custom Cakes, in the Hartstone Inn kitchen. Patricia’s edible creations are awe-inspiring with edible flowers that look so realistic, you’ll look twice before devouring. During this two-hour (plus) cooking class you will decorate your own 6-inch specialty cake. Patricia will teach you her secrets for creating the most beautiful fondant and gum paste flowers, butterflies and decorative borders which you will apply to your cake. You will leave the class with the knowledge, skill and confidence to create an extra-special cake in your own home. Weekend Cooking Class Packages are $352 – $542 and include two nights lodging, breakfast each morning, afternoon cookies and tea, a gourmet candlelit dinner for two and enrollment for one in the cooking class. Additional enrollment into the cooking class is $65 per person.

Three Additional Cooking Classes Added to This Seasons Schedule

admin — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 19:28:28 +0000

Due to an overwhelming response to our cooking classes this year, we have added three more to this seasons schedule!

Travel to Tuscany Saturday, May 21, 2011
If you can’t join Chef Michael in Italy for one of his Culinary Adventures, then come to Camden and experience some of his favorite Tuscan dishes. We’ll begin with a hearty Tuscan Onion Soup with a Pecorino Crust followed by handmade Pici Pasta with a Pork Ragu. Next, we’ll stuff Chicken with Prosciutto, Fontina Cheese and Sage and finish things off with an Almond-Ricotta Semifreddo.

Lobster, Lobster, Lobster Saturday, May 28, 2011
A trip to Maine should be based around eating as much lobster as one can. We’re going to help you with this class. Recipes include: Maine Lobster with a Vanilla Beurre Blanc, Lobster and Gruyere Soufflé with a Grilled Corn Cream, Maine Lobster and Asparagus Salad with a Tangerine Dressing, and Avocado and Lobster Cakes with a Chive Sour Cream and Roasted Tomato Jus.

French Specialties Saturday, June 11, 2011
Starting this fall, Chef Michael is leading Culinary Adventure Tours to the Loire Valley in France. Get a sneak peak to some of his favorite French dishes that will be included in the tours French cooking classes.

Classes are informative, entertaining, and of course, filled with delicious food. Cooking Class Packages are $352 – $544 and include two nights lodging, breakfast each morning, afternoon cookies and tea, a gourmet candlelit dinner for two and enrollment for one in the cooking class. Additional enrollment into the cooking class is $45 per person. Classes are held from 1pm-3pm in the afternoon.

Private instruction, or Chef for a Day is available also, year round.

Asian Flavors

admin — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 19:46:33 +0000

Have you ever craved Asian food and had no where nearby you could rely on? After taking Chef Michael Salmon’s class Asian Flavors on March 26 or 27 at the Hartstone Inn not only will you be able to spoil yourself anytime you want to, but you can impress your friends with a themed dinner party. Who wouldn’t love homemade Sweet and Sour Pork, Lobster Pot Stickers with a Ginger-Sesame Dipping Sauce, Shrimp Toast with a Mint-Lime Dipping Sauce and Grilled Thai Beef Salad? These are only suggestions. With a few basics under your belt from an experienced chef who has spent time in the Orient, you should be prepared to begin (or continue) your journey through Asian cuisine’s modern and traditional styles. Get advice from Michael on equipment, techniques, resources, basic sauces, and pairings.

Photo of China from RadioHuvud blog.

Gourmet Specialties on a Budget

admin — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 19:57:40 +0000

Going out to eat can sometimes take as much, if not more, effort than sitting down for a home-cooked meal. Hiring a babysitter, getting a reservation, deciding what to wear, making the reservation, and then mentally ticking off all those dollar signs (bottle of wine, check, appetizer, check, salad, check, main course, check, dessert, check, after dinner drink question mark, tip, check…). Regardless of the logistics and the expense, eating out can be justified by the pure experience of having a talented chef, friendly wait staff, and intricate dishes with layer after layer of undeniable flavor. Let’s not forget there is no sink full of pots and pans awaiting rubber gloves either. Is dining out a luxury, it can be depending on the cost associated with it. What that means is maybe, in today’s financial times, adjusting how much one eats out. Instead of dinner out several times a month, maybe it is a once a week occasion.

Chef Michael Salmon realized the need for people to stretch their dollars and thus created the cooking class “Gourmet Specialties on a Budget.” Chef Michael makes gourmet approachable. He brings it into your home and practically sits it down on your dining room table. Think of the times you have said or thought “Who cooks like that?” in response to a recipe in a cookbook or food magazine. After this class maybe you!

The menu for “Gourmet Specialties on a Budget” (February 5 or 6)

Mozzarella and Charred Bell Pepper Bruschetta
Roasted Tomato Soup with Chopped Basil
Sweet Potato Crusted Salmon
Tarte Tatin of Pears

Weekend packages are $325/$515 and include two nights lodging, breakfast each morning, afternoon cookies and tea, a gourmet candelit dinner for two and enrollment for one in the cooking class. Additional enrollment into the cooking class is $45 per person. Classes are held Saturdays and Sundays from 1 -3 in the afternoon.

p.s. this is an excellent Christmas present!!!

Holiday Chocolate Making

admin — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 00:03:44 +0000

This weekend we welcome back Kate Shaffer of Black Dinah Chocolatiers to teach guests how to make gorgeous artisanal chocolates for everyone on their lists. Kate will guide participants through tempering chocolate, flavoring and mixing ganache, dipping truffles, and a few fun decorating techniques. We have a feeling this is going to be a very hands on class with a lot of chocolate to mouth movement.

A few pictures of Black Dinah’s famous chocolates and the island they are made on (where Kate lives)…Check back here next week to see pictures of the class and hear stories from it.

Have a wonderful weekend.

All photos by Black Dinah Chocolatiers.