Food and Drink Certificate Classes

We've spent the summer fine-tuning the curriculum for the fall season of food and drink certificate classes. The course is highly interactive, we explore the tastes, aromas, textures and history of 8 major groups of Maine-made food:

- Cheese and Dairy
- Bread and Water
- Seafood
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Meat, Eggs and other protein
- Maine Foodways
- Oils, herbs, spices and condiments
- Beer, Wine, Mead and Spirits

Upcoming sessions include Tuesday mornings from 9:30 to noon in Falmouth at Black Cherry Provisions at 56 Depot Rd. beginning September 15th and Thursday evenings 7 to 9:30 in Portland at the Old Port Wine Merchants on Commercial Street, beginning September 24. Courses consist of 4 class sessions and a fifth session/graduation gathering at a local restaurant.

The cost of the program is $175 dollars and includes course materials and food and drink samples during the class sessions. It does not include the price of dinner at the fifth session. Class size is limited to 15 participants in Falmouth, 10 in Portland.

Program Overview

The Maine Ambassador of Food and Drink Program is a series of 8 courses that examine the history, geography, sociology and of course, flavors and aromas of Maine food and drink. We look at the burgeoning artisanal cheesemaking community and the beer, wine, mead and distilled spirits that are unique to Maine. We discuss contemporary farming and consumer issues as we look at the fruits and vegetables and the various animal, seafood and plant based proteins that are grown here. We take a culinary look at water and at the herbs and spices that flavor many dishes. We explore Maine's food ancestors: the natives and the settlers and how their cuisines interact and what that means for Maine's food future. Upon completion of the program, Ambassadors receive a certificate and are entitled to reduced rate for future classes and events.