“A learning journey exploring foraging, outdoor cooking and ancestral foodways. Accessible to all levels of experience!”
- Bi-monthly program on Sundays!
- From September 17th to November 26th in Kahnawake!
In this course we will learn the art of cooking with fire, and how to plan meals for trips. We will explore timeless and traditional ways of cooking and preserving food-pit cooking, smoking, baking, fermentation.
We will learn to identify, harvest, process and cook some special wild plant foods. After taking this course you will be well on your way to becoming a competent and inspired outdoors cook, whether you plan on weekend car camping or heading out on an extended canoe trip.
Throughout the course we will emphasize safety, having a positive impact on the land, cooperation and making ridiculously delicious food.Â
Some of the topics covered:
Fire:
• How to start and maintain a fire in all conditions
• Fire management for cooking
• Safe use of knife, axe and sawÂ
Outdoor cooking:
• Tripods, grills and other pot supports
• Dutch ovens, reflector ovens and baking with fire
• Simple cooking for minimalist camping and expeditions
• Fancy cooking in a basecamp setting
• Ancestral cooking methods: Smoking, drying, pit cooking
Foraging and wild food:
• Ethics and safe plant identificationÂ
• Harvest, processing and cooking methods
• Wild nuts and grains
• Spring greensÂ
• Wild teas
• Discussion of hunting, fishing and wild animal foods
Craft skills:
• Carving kitchen tools: spatulas, spoons, tongs
• Coal burning spoons and bowls
Food culture:
• Exchange of stories, methods and recipesÂ
• Learning about Kanien’kehá ka food culture with David McComber and Kawisente (Carole) McGregor
All diets are welcome, but know that we will cover techniques for processing and cooking fish and meat. We will provide ingredients to demonstrate and practice cooking techniques (we will sample lots!) but participants are otherwise responsible for feeding themselves during the course. Most of the food for the final trip will be provided.
September 17th: Fire skills and outdoor cooking 101 (Kahnawake)
You’ll learn to use an axe, knife and saw safely and efficiently to prepare firewood, light a fire and cook with it.
Click here to register!
October 1st: Fall foraging (Jardins Carya)
We’ll explore various ecosystems and see what wild food plants the fall has to offer at beautiful Jardins Carya.
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October 15th: Outdoor cooking 102 (Kahnawake)
You’ll have a chance to perfect your fire skills and learn the mysterious art of the Maine Guide cook rig.
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October 29th: Tree food staples (Kahnawake)
We’ll cook and taste the hearty food that falls for free from the trees. Nuts and Acorns have sustained entire civilisations historically, and they are still an amazing and delicious food source. We’ll learn how to identify, process and cook these abundant foods, as well as how to bake with fire.
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November 12th: Smoking meats, ancestral food preservation (Kahnawake)
The skills of preserving animal foods are as ancient as humankind. We’ll build a simple smoker and try out some fun fire cooking and various food preservation techniques.
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November 26th: End of season feast (Kahnawake)
We’ll have a big feast and share dishes from our families/cultures along with their stories. Nourishment for the belly and soul.
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Price:
570$ + tx
It is possible to pay in multiple installments through our registration platform.
You can also sign up for as a drop-in for 100$ + tx per day of activity.
(The drop-in option is not available for the November 26th, 2023 session)
We will send a welcome email with all the information 1 week before the program starts. We will also send you a link to organize carpooling.
Note:
This program is offered in English and French. Jesse, the lead instructor, is bilingual and will arrange for translations if needed. There are several guest instructors who are anglophone and so francophone participants should be ready to receive whisper translation. We believe the rich cultural exchanges that come from working with some of our anglophone Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) staff are well worth the patience of receiving the live translation.
Presence of children:
Parents are expected to take full responsibility for their kids knowing that the content is geared towards an adult audience. Let us know you will be signing up with your child, as spaces are limited. In the past this has been a very rewarding experience for families, though occasionally a little distracting for the parent. We trust your judgment in making the decision.
