Classes & Events

Classes & Workshops | Classes for Kids



Classes & Workshops

Workshop: The Healthier Italian — A Cooking and Dining Experience
Wednesday, August 4, 6:00-8:30 pm

Location: Temenos Retreat Center
1564 Telegraph Road
West Chester, PA 19383

Come join Annmarie Butera Cantrell (of Cucina Verde LLC and Maysie's Farm Conservation Center) and Cynthia Goch (of Tastes and Time, author of "MaMa Mia Cucina — A Flavor of Good Food and Good Family") as they combine their healthy cooking styles in demonstrating an "Italian Sunday Dinner."

Menu includes locally sourced produce and meats*

  • Antipasti Platter
  • Chicken Liver Sauté with garlic, onion, capers, and red pepper
  • Stuffed Escarole
  • Stuffed Peppers
  • Caponata
  • Tomato Sauce (gravy) with Meatballs
  • Gnocchi
  • Grilled Peaches served with Mascarpone Cheese

*Subject to change based on availability

This is a BYOWine Event!

$50 per person
Reservations by Friday July 30th
Call 215-499-8105 or 484-459-3685 or email ambutera@verizon.net to register.


Workshop: Making the most of Maysie's herbs with Cindy Koser
Saturday, July 10, 12:30 pm

Join us at Maysie's Farm Conservation Center on July 10th from 10 am - 12:30 pm as herbalist Cindy Koser discusses six of the world's most popular and useful herbs that are grown here on the farm. We will discuss how these six delightful herbs — Basil, Lavender, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage and Thyme — will serve you both in the kitchen as well as the medicine cabinet.

We will also discuss The Fine Art of Making Tea, as we sample a few of the splendors from the farm: Lemon Balm, Red Clover, Nettle, Peppermint, Spearmint, Apple Mint and Chocolate Mint!

$10 per person — proceeds go to Maysie's Farm Conservation Center

Location: Maysie's Farm
15 St. Andrew's Lane
Glenmoore, PA 19343

Call 610-458-8129 or email ambutera@verizon.net to register.


Special diets for healthier children
A cooking workshop with Annmarie Cantrell of Cucina Verde, LLC
Wednesday, July 21, 6:30 pm

Is your child's diet currently restricted due to food allergies, medical disabilities, developmental disabilities, or just plain picky eating? Then join us Wednesday evening, July 21st at Temenos Retreat Center for this cooking class where we will prepare foods with guaranteed child appeal using high quality ingredients and simple cooking techniques. Have your child's meals and snacks be part of their health solution!

Date/time: Wednesday, July 21, 6:30-9:00 pm
Cost: $25 per person

Location:
1564 Telegraph Rd (RT, 162)
West Chester, PA 19382
Directions: www.temenosretreat.org

Menu includes:
Grain Free Zucchini Muffins (made with coconut flour)
Mixed Vegetable Meatloaf
Transitional Macaroni and Cheese (made with rice pasta and a bit of millet flour)
Vegetable Chips with Dippers
Coconut Smoothies

To register: Contact Annmarie at 215-499-8105 or ambutera@cucina-verde.com.

Annmarie Cantrell is a graduate of the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts in New York City. Her work as an early intervention educator has led her to pursue studies linking poor nutrition with developmental disabilities. She works educating families about proper nutrition for their children and teaches parents how to implement dietary and lifestyle changes to optimize family health.

Annmarie runs workshops and classes for individuals and groups, where she provides information on how people can access real food. Cooking classes focus on simple preparation of seasonal foods and allow participants to gain the practical skills necessary to truly nourish themselves. Classes for children focus on fostering early healthy eating habits while having fun in the kitchen!


Free Community Event!

Autism and ADHD — Addressing Diet and Immunity
Saturday, July 31, 3:00 pm

We are all very well aware that autism is on the rise. The current statistic is now one in every 91 children. Typical characteristics of children diagnosed with autism include lack of expressive communication, difficulty relating socially to others, anxiety, issues with sensory integration and regulation and picky eating. Thankfully therapies such as special education, speech therapy and occupational therapy are available to these children. The crucial link that is not addressed, however, is diet. Diet is the key to helping children with autism and ADHD heal.

Come to this workshop as we explore:

  • The possibility that children who are well fed can be malnourished
  • Malnourishment contributes to developmental delays, behavior problems, sleep problems, problems with immunity, and problems with eating
  • Fats are crucial to brain development in the first 3 years of life- many children are not consuming the proper fats for proper brain development
  • Staples to include in your families diet to promote healing and nourishment while continuing to work on feeding problems
  • The real contents in processed food products and their effects on neurological development and behavior
  • Subtle food sensitivities that may be present in your child which can lead to problems with behavior, general development and overall health

Annmarie Cantrell is an early intervention educator. She has worked with children with special needs and their families for the past 14 years. In 2001, she became a chef, graduating from the Institute of Culinary Arts in NYC where she learned the important, often overlooked connection between nutrition and optimal health. For the past years, she has been working with families educating them about proper nutrition for their children, especially those children experiencing problems with immune function (ranging from chronic allergies to autism). She runs cooking classes for parents and children who are trying to eat healthier.

Date/time: Saturday, July 31, 3:00-4:00 pm

Location:
Kimberton Whole Foods Cafe
2140 Kimberton Road
Kimberton, PA 19442
Directions: www.kimbertonwholefoods.com/stores/kimberton-store

To register: Contact Annmarie at 215-499-8105 or ambutera@cucina-verde.com.


Create Your Own Class
Share a night with friends in your home. We'll come up with a menu together, the chef will bring the ingredients, and together we will prepare fun, satisfying meals with a twist! Some sample class menus include:

Caribbean Feast:

  • Plantain Chips
  • Spicy Avocado Dip
  • Jamaican Jerk Chicken
  • Hearts of Palm Salad
  • Mango Coconut Meringue

Celebrating the Autumn Harvest:

  • Butternut Squash Soup with Toasted Pepitas and Curried Cream Swirl
  • Fig, Walnut and Goat Cheese Salad with Balsamic Reduction
  • Curried Quinoa Pilaf
  • Roast Chicken with Roasted Autumn Vegetables
  • Stewed Fruit in Ginger Syrup

Contact Chef Annmarie for details



Classes for Kids

NEW FOR 2010: Cooking Camp for Kids!

Maysie's Farm Conservation Center — in connection with chef/educator Annmarie Cantrell — is excited to offer summer cooking camps for children ages 6 and up. These camps offer children the opportunity to understand where their food comes from, expand their taste buds and make proper choices when it comes to nourishing themselves. All camps will be run by Annmarie Cantrell of Cucina Verde, LLC.

During the weeklong hands on program each child will learn how food grows. They will be given the opportunity to seed, transplant, harvest and prepare healthy, seasonally inspired dishes.

Kitchen safety, cooking techniques, and introductions to international cuisines are all part of the curriculum. Each weekís curriculum is tailored to the ability of the different age groups.

Upon registration, parents will receive a form to fill out regarding any allergies, food restrictions or other needs. We are very willing to accommodate any requests or special needs.

Camp Schedule & Prices

Week 1
June 28th - July 2nd
6-9 year olds
9am - 1pm
$225 per child
CSA Members: $200

Week 2
July 5th - July 9th
10-12 year olds
9am - 2 pm
$250 per child
CSA Members: $225

Week 3
July 12 - July 16th
13-17 year olds
9am - 2pm
$250 per child
CSA Members: $225

Family Dinner
On Saturday, July 24th, at 6 pm, the chefs of the three groups will reconvene and have the opportunity to prepare and serve a delicious locally sourced seasonal meal for their families! $20 per adult

To register for cooking camp, e-mail Annmarie at ambutera@cucina-verde.com, or call 610-458-8129.

About Annmarie Cantrell:
Annmarie Cantrell is a graduate of the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts in New York City.  Her work as a special education teacher has led her to pursue studies linking poor nutrition with developmental disabilities. She works educating families about proper nutrition for their young children and teaches parents how to implement dietary and lifestyle changes to deal with common childhood issues such as allergies and autism.

Annmarie runs workshops and classes for individuals and groups, where she provides information on how people can access real food. Cooking classes focus on simple preparation of seasonal foods and allow participants to gain the practical skills necessary to truly nourish themselves.  Classes for children focus on fostering early healthy eating habits while having fun in the kitchen.

About Cucina Verde:
Cucina Verde uses the wisdom of traditional cultures to create thoughtful nourishing meals. Many of the ingredients used in the food preparation are sourced from local farmers and artisanal food producers.  We support small, local family farms which grow vegetables in healthy soil and produce meats from animals raised on pasture.  These sustainable farming practices produce nutrient dense foods which are much higher in vitamins and minerals than modern processed foods. Cucina Verde is committed to working toward a local sustainable food system which allows communities and individuals to thrive. 

About Maysieís Farm:
Maysie's Farm Conservation Center is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to improving public understanding of the importance of conservation and ecological thinking. At Maysie's Farm, we work with individuals, families, communities and educational institutions to encourage ecological living by demonstrating and advocating organic agriculture, farmland preservation and Community Supported Agriculture and by offering unique educational programs. Maysie's Farm is developing a community within Chester County that is based on a local, sustainably produced food supply and a commitment to ecological living.


Kids in the Kitchen

Let your kids have fun playing with their food while creating something that they'll be sure to eat!

They'll learn where farm-fresh food comes from and how delcious real food can be! Plus, they'll learn how to be safe in the kitchen, how to use basic kitchen tools, how to follow directions and will develop an appreciation for family meal times.

Arrangements made for children's special dietary needs. Structure of classes and menu are based on children's ages.

Contact Chef Annmarie for details


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