Cheesemaking Workshops

This winter, our local cheesmaking guru, Caitlin Hunter at Appleton Creamery will be holding a number of cheesemaking workshops. The first workshop (two-day), “Home Cheesemaking,” focuses on cheeses that can be made in the average home kitchen without having to go out and buy additional equipment. On day one Caitlin will teach you how to …
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Artisan Chocolate Making for the Holidays

Mary Jo and I are excited to announce a new series of cooking classes at the Hartstone Inn with Artisan Chocolatier Kate Shaffer of Black Dinah Chocolatiers. If you are not familiar with her chocolates, you are in for a real treat. Kate’s beautiful hand-crafted chocolates are made here in Maine (on the small island …
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Hartstone Inn’s “Maine Wine and Cheese Experience”

The midcoast Maine area is rich in regional culinary tradition and since we know many of you share our passion as “foodies,” we are proud to feature our “Maine Wine and Cheese Experience.” This five-hour tour takes you to two local wineries and a local sheep dairy. The first stop is Savage Oakes Winery which …
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New Herb & Vegetable Garden Beds

This Spring I completely updated all of my kitchen garden beds here at the Hartstone Inn. I planted my early spring seeds (red oak lettuce, lolla rossa, mache, mesclun, radish, beets, carrots, chervil, chives and Italian parsley) on April 15th in new raised beds, using the “Square Foot Garden” technique. I made the beds using …
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Michael’s Cheesemaking Story on “Plating Up” Blog

Following is a story I wrote for Maine Food & Lifestyle Magazine’s Blog (Plating Up) titled: “What Happened to Home Cheesemaking.” I have no childhood memories of eating homemade bread. It’s not that my Mother dislikes cooking, as she often shares with me a new recipe she is trying, I think she just had her …
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Maine Food & Lifestyle Blog

When the first issue of Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine arrived at French & Brawn (our neighborhood food market) in the Summer of 2006 I was utterly amazed by the quality writing, beautiful photography and the unique and inspiring layout of the magazine. How can a publication of this caliber focus on my little area …
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Fun for Foodies Vacation

Are you looking for a unique culinary getaway experience? Mary Jo and I started our Camden bed and breakfast and Maine restaurant with a deep passion for everything related to food and wine. We enjoy visiting farms, farmers’ markets and taking tours from food and wine producers. The midcoast Maine area is rich in these …
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Today’s Pasta Cooking Class

First a little history with an excerpt from my first cookbook “Hartstone Inn, Signature Recipes from an Elegant Maine Inn.” The origin of pasta is a very controversial subject in culinary history. The Arabic countries, Italy and China have all laid claim to the creation of what has become a favorite food worldwide. Most probably, …
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Cellardoor Winery – Maine Wine!

Located in a valley between Cameron and Levenseller Mountains, just five miles from Camden Harbor and the Hartstone Inn and Hideaway, Cellardoor Vineyard has a unique micro climate and a rich history. The vineyard, its accompanying fields, fruit trees and pond inhabit a special corner of the world. As you enter the newly remodeled 1790’s …
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Maine Maple Sunday – March 23rd

Maine Maple Sunday is an annual statewide tradition. Every fourth Sunday in March, sugar makers around the state open the doors of their sugarhouses for demonstrations, tours and maple syrup related activities. The traditional Maine Maple Sunday treats are pickles, donuts and maple syrup on vanilla ice cream. Press Information Download: Maine Maple Sunday Press …
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Exclusive to Hartstone Guests! Stay with us for 3+ nights, get a free sailboat cruise when you book our sailboat package!

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