sold out! Cozy Winter Cooking with Chef Raquel Rivera 3.7.24

Cozy Winter Cooking with Chef Raquel Rivera

Thursday, March 7 @7 p.m.

One-pot meals are nifty to have in your repertoire, and they are the perfect excuse for warming up the kitchen and making a long, cold winter seem more cozy and inviting. In this class, we will focus on a classic, crowd-pleasing one-pot meal: Coq au Vin. We'll learn about bringing out all the best flavors with an ages-old culinary braising technique that can be used for all manner of Dutch Oven meals. Paired with delicious veggie sides, this will become your winter go-to dinner party staple!

MENU

Main: Coq au Vin

Sides: Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes • String beans w/ Thyme and Lemon Zest

Dessert: Bittersweet Chocolate Brioche Bread Pudding

B YOB: Feel free to bring wine or other beverage of choice

Chef Bio: Chef Raquel graduated with highest honors from the Institute of Culinary Education after completing her externship at Le Bernardin. After working for catering companies Raquel began teaching at a few NYC based cooking studios until opening A Pinch of Salt over 10 years ago. Chef Raquel teaches cooking fundamentals to all ages, focusing on healthy, seasonal, inexpensive meals that are culturally sensitive and delicious. Furthermore, she has trained adults desiring employment in the culinary field who are now vendors of the Bridgeport Farmers Market Collaborative. In 2010 Chef Raquel’s work was recognized with an invitation to the White House South Lawn as a part of First Lady Obama’s Let’s Move initiative and in 2019 she was awarded Women Business of the Year by the Southern CT Black Chambers of Commerce.

kids' cooking parties

At a Wakeman Town Farm cooking party, kids aged 6+ learn real-world cooking techniques with chef instructors while having a blast. We incorporate fresh and seasonal ingredients whenever possible, and our party guests learn valuable kitchen skills and ways to feel more confident in the kitchen.

We encourage our Jr. Chefs party participants to explore their imagination and creativity while learning basic cooking skills with recipes that kids love.  Simply choose a theme from our child-friendly menus (below), and our seasoned instructors will guide the participants through the cooking process and tailor the challenge level to the age group of participants. All recipes are nut-free. However, please note: Tim’s Kitchen is a shared culinary space and cannot claim to be free of allergens. 

All culinary birthday parties are 1.5 hours and feature two private instructors, exclusive use of the Farm kitchen, all food, ingredients, and materials, plus set-up and clean-up. Children will begin the party by decorating their very own take-home chef hat.

Party with Up to 10 Children | Two Recipes              $650
Additional Party Guests (per guest)                          $  65

PLEASE NOTE: WE CAP ALL PARTIES AT 12 FOR THE BEST EXPERIENCE.

Our full cooking party descriptions are available HERE. Questions? Kindly reach out via the INQUIRIES button below and let us know a little about what you’re interested in, when you’d like to host the party, and the ages of the children.

sold out! Vacation Day Cooking camp 1.15.24

Vacation Day Cooking for Grades 1-5 (ages 6-11), 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. $65 pp.
School’s out to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. Make the day meaningful by spending a few hours on your day off from school at a special, two-hour cooking camp with Chef Robyn. We will be hands-on in Tim’s kitchen with everyone contributing to the preparation of a delicious lunch. We will start with tasty Broccoli + Cheese Flatbreads, move on to learning how to prepare Korean BBQ-style Meatballs—and ending with Cranberry Crumble Cupcakes with a crunchy topping. Along the way, we are learning to read and follow recipes, while practicing a variety of culinary techniques.

sold out! kids' chinese new year dumpling class 2.9.24

Chinese New Year Dumpling Class for Kids - 2.9.24 4:15-6:15

Ages 6-11

In this two-hour hands-on Chinese cooking class, which includes dinner, we will learn the art of homemade dumplings! From rolling and stuffing, dough, to from folding techniques and dipping sauces, participants will master the art of making crowd-pleasing dumplings.

But that’s not all! We will continue on with Crispy Sheet-Pan Noodles with glazed tofu, discussing their contrasting textures, which is a characteristic of Cantonese chow mein: The crispy fried strands tangled with tender noodles is a simple Ramen upgrade. Cooked ramen noodles with aromatics and a flavorful sauce combine to create a restaurant-worthy dish that tastes delicious as it is, or with an added protein or vegetable or two!

At the end of the session, we will sit together in Tim’s Kitchen to enjoy the meal we have prepared.

sold out! adult dumpling class with nit noi provisions 1.25.24

Join us in Tim's Kitchen for an evening of dumpling construction and Thai cookery at our “Dumpling 101” class, hosted by our friends from Nit Noi Provisions, on Jan 25, from 7-9pm. Tickets are $110/ pp, and include filling prep demonstration, folding exercise, cooking demonstration, tastings, dumplings-to-go and a take away bag of essentials from everyone’s favorite local Thai dumpling purveyors. Spaces are limited, so please register early! This experience is festive and BYOB, so feel free to bring your favorite wine, beer, mocktails or cocktails!

sold out! Teas for Heart, Health and Happiness: A Tea workshop 2.13.24

Feb 13 at 7 p.m.
If you watched Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones on Netflix, you know that in certain cultures, herbal teas have been recognized for their longevity benefits for centuries. While we can’t promise you’ll live to 100, we can promise an informative workshop that centers on homemade tea blends for better health.

Join us in Tim’s Kitchen as Natalie Glidden, Farmer at WTF, Community Herbalist, Yoga Teacher and Master Gardener, along with Barbara Carr, Community Herbalist, Master Gardener and Master Naturalist, take us on an exploration of the world of herbs for teas for heart health, mood boosting, and general well being.

In this evening workshop, Natalie and Barbara will discuss herbs and tea blending, touching on the unique properties of herbs for your heart, health and happiness. Participants will leave with their own personalized tea blend. Following the discussion, Natalie will lead a Tea Meditation. Spaces are limited.

The Art of Pasta + Italian Wine Tasting 4.23.24

The Art of Pasta + Italian Wine  Tasting with Chef VIta, $145 pp

Have you always wanted to know how to make authentic Italian pasta? And what about wine?

Chef Vita Palmieri is offering a wonderful experience in the world of fresh pasta and wine! She looks forward to sharing with you more about her country’s gastronomic culture.

In this evening experience, guests will create their own pasta together with a Master Pasta Chef. During the pasta tasting, you will also enjoy some authentic regional wine pairings.

From Chef VIta: I grew up in the province of Modena, in a family of fantastic cooks, where everything was prepared at home. I’m here to share generations-old Italian recipes that are hand-made, fresh, healthy, family-friendly, sometimes bizarre, and occasionally naughty. I also am an expert with dough that is sweet, and prepare unique and decadent desserts. I take all I have learned from the expert hands of my family and pass these disappearing authentic Italian techniques and recipes on to you; I do this through convivial hands-on workshops, where we share a love of life and all things pasta!

Sold out! Valentine's Dinner with Chef Alison Milwe Grace 2.15.24

WTF VALENTINE’S DINNER

Chef Alison Milwe Grace, of AMG Catering and Events

Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 6:30 pm

$125 pp., inclusive of service, AND price includes wine pairings with each course, courtesy of Greens Farms Spirits and a Surprise Guest Vintner!

No refunds for any reason.

“LOVE AT FIRST BITE”

Lump crabcake served over “micro” greens with lemon-dill remoulade

“CUPID’S SALAD”

Winter greens, roasted beets, shaved fennel, toasted pine nuts with Champagne vinaigrette and Cambozola

Artisan rolls and baguettes with herb butter

“SWEETHEART SOIREE” PLEASE CHOOSE ONE PER PERSON

Filet of beef with “truffled” wild mushrooms, potato pave and charred broccolini

-OR-

Winter risotto with baby kale, wild mushrooms and roasted butternut squash

SWEETS FOR YOUR SWEETIE

Mini chocolate “bundt” cakes with raspberry sauce

A few spots left! Valentine + spring Wreaths 2.8.24

Valentine + Spring Wreath-Making Class
Thur 2/8  6:30 - 8PM

Spruce up your home with a cheery heart-shaped twig wreath, perfect for spreading the love. This is a great Galentine's get-together, so grab some friends and let’s get creative!

Come share the love at Wakeman Town Farm as we create our own heart-shaped twig wreaths. The Farm's own Chryse Terrill will guide participants on how to design a beautiful wreath that will brighten up your winter days. We will use stunning a mix of natural materials collected from Wakeman Town Farm and from local floral vendors to decorate our wreaths. At the end of the class, we will be able to take home our creations. Grab some gal pals, or ones you love, bring your own snacks, wine and or favorite cocktails, and let’s create something special!

Winter Seed Sowing with Master Gardener Alice Ely 1.29.24

Winter Sowing with Advanced Master Gardener Alice Ely
Monday, January 29, 2024  7 - 8pm EST

Want to get a jump on spring – and attract pollinators to your garden this summer? Sign up for our Winter Sowing Demonstration

Learn to make your own “mini-greenhouse” in a bottle to start seedlings. Leave it outside till spring, when you’ll reap a dozen or more native plants that pollinators, like butterflies, bees, and birds, love. “If you grow it, they will come!”

Collect or save your bottles now: Cear 1-litre or 2-litre soda bottles or translucent half gallon milk bottles are recommended. We’ll be sharing some special seeds sourced right in our ecoregion.

Taught by UConn advanced master gardener Alice Ely.

Let's Graze! Interactive grazing table workshop for the holidays 12.8.23

Interactive Grazing workshop - Calling all future “entertainers”! Join us for a hands on-lesson in creating an artfully arranged grazing table. $95 per person, includes class, ingredients, supplies + assorted red and white wines. This is a festive night out — spots are limited!

Just in time for the holidays, Art of the Board will guide you to create a beautiful and artistic spread that will wow your guests at your next gathering. Decorated with the most delicious and fresh ingredients, attendees will be cutting, slicing and styling a most epic cheese and charcuterie display and learning the tricks of the trade. The table will feature cured meats, gourmet local cheese selections, in-season fruits, freshly baked breads, artisan crackers, olives, nuts, and much more. Everyone will then be able to enjoy their masterpiece as they sip on their beverage and mingle with friends in a festive cocktail party environment. Each guest will leave with a full belly and some new skills! Red and white wines will be available to enjoy, or, feel free to BYO your favorite libation! Glassware, water and wine openers will be provided.

NEW! Designing with Bulbs - 12.11.23 w Sheri Forster, The Scottish Gardener

7 pm at Wakeman Town Farm

This program led by Sheri Forster. will allow participants to find inspiration and gain skills to add bulb displays into your landscape. The discussion will explore the diversity of bulbs: their culture, growing requirements and placement. It will provide knowledge on how to plan and place bulbs in new and existing beds using the Fundamental Principles of Garden Design: Purpose, Style, Site Analysis, Color, Balance & Rhythm.

You will be shown illustrations, techniques and taught strategies that ensure long term success and offer examples of bulb combinations with Trees, Shrubs and Perennials.

About Sheri Forster: Principal of The Scottish Gardener for 16 years, Sheri specializes in custom garden design of residential properties in Westchester & Fairfield counties. Her client’s gardens have been featured in garden tours and have appeared in National and local publications. Sheri was the kickoff speaker for the Connecticut Horticultural Society’s lecture series and The Connecticut Master Gardeners Association annual meeting. She received her certificate in Garden Design from NYBG in 2008. A native of Fairfield County, when not on land, she enjoys sailing with her husband, Peter on Long Island Sound.

summer cooking camp with global theme ages 7.8-7.11

Global Flavors Summer Camp Cooking Class, Ages 6-11

7/8/24-7/11/24

9am-12pm

12 max

Instructor: Robyn Herman

Explore the world of culinary delights with our “Kids’ Global Flavors” summer cooking camp at Wakeman Town Farm. This immersive culinary experience is designed to introduce young chefs to the vibrant and diverse world of international cuisine. From July 8th to July 11, your child will embark on a delicious journey, learning to prepare and savor the distinctive flavors of China, Italy, Spain, and Greece. Menu items include fresh spring rolls, Spanish paella, pasta with pesto using our homegrown basil, Cannoli, Greek chicken and tons more.

Begin the day on the farm hand picking organic ingredients to prepare the perfect dish. This is a hands-on cooking experience for kids, promoting creativity and teamwork, as well as cultural insights and  knowledge about each countries’ culinary traditions. We enjoy the foods we prepare at the Farm. Kindly let us know in advance about any allergies so we can determine whether or not we can accommodate, as we are a shared kitchen with multiple chefs/caterers who use common allergens.

rain or shine! Wakeman Town Farm holiday tree lighting 12.1.23 - a family tradition open to all!

You’re invited to the Annual Wakeman Town Farm Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration on Friday, Dec. 1 from 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Rain or shine!

It’s a festive, fun and free event for the whole family, thanks to our sponsor, Freudigman & Billings. Enjoy free home-baked cookies, sweet treats and hot chocolate from The Porch & Sweet P Bakery, and warm up around our roaring bonfire. As is our tradition, we’re featuring a variety of local school musicians playing some Christmas and Chanukkah favorites. Join us as First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker and Bill Constantino (a Wakeman family member) light up the Wakeman tree to kick off the season and keep a generations-old family tradition alive for the community! 

We would also like to extend a special thanks to Irv Daskim from AAA Tree Service for stringing the lights and making sure the Wakeman tree shines bright all holiday season!

Free and open to the public. This is an outdoor, family friendly event. Dress warmly.

Special Note: We care about our neighbors in need.

Kindly consider bringing an unwrapped toy for our donation box to the Al’s Angels Toy Drive.

Also: Staples High’s chapter Habitat for Humanity will be onsite selling baked goods to raise money to help build a home in Bridgeport. Please help these amazing students reach their goal of raising $1000!

GIVING TUESDAY: Let's re-build a barn and CONTINUE TO build community!

Does your child love visiting the Farm, feeding the alpacas, ducks, bunnies, and goats, or meandering around the gardens are grounds? Has your family experienced the wonders of farm life and the charms of our educators, including Miss Chryse and Miss Judy? Your child is one of 1,700 kids (ages 0-14) who attended hands-on school programs or summer camps in 2023, so we are asking on Giving Tuesday for your help to raise the money to complete the renovation of the Farm’s aging barn to serve Westport families just like yours

Let’s come together on Giving Tuesday (Nov. 28) to raise a community barn!

We have already raised the majority of the funding to complete a renovated barn for community use. We are now asking you to help raise the remaining $50,000 to kick the project across the finish line with a donation of $50. This barn will be a thriving multipurpose space for families; think expanded indoor educational programs for children and adults, barn suppers, potluck dinners, live concerts, art and yoga classes, barn dances, plays, workshops and more! Plus, there will be a year-round farm store where you can buy seasonal produce and products from Wakeman and other area farms. 

Thanks to incredible matching donors, your family’s donation WILL BE WORTH DOUBLE!
So, a $50 donation will turn into $100. With 500 family donations of $50 each, we will reach our goal! Of course, feel free to donate any amount! CLICK BELOW

Sold out! Chefs' Dinner with Former Tavern at GrayBarns Chef Ben Freemole 1.18.24

Grab your seats for an intimate chef’s dinner in Tim’s Kitchen (1.18.24. 7-9:30 p.m.) where we will cozy up around rustic farm tables and enjoy a four-course winter feast prepared by
Chef Benjamin Freemole, former head chef at Tavern at GrayBarns.

Freemole has a long history of utilizing the highest-quality fresh, local ingredients, and works a range of culinary methods into this incredible winter menu accompanied by wine pairings curated by Greens Farms Spirits. $140 pp, includes food, wine pairings + service. Limited seating. P.S.: Makes a fab holiday gift!

Chef Bio: Benjamin Freemole was born and raised in western Montana. After being classically trained in French cooking, he was drawn toward blending timeworn cooking techniques with the explorative nature of the more modern. 

Chef Freemole worked the past six years opening and running the Tavern at  Graybarns in Norwalk, CT. Before this, he helmed the kitchens for Major Food Group (NYC); The Crimson Sparrow in Hudson, NY; and Scotty’s Table in Missoula, MT. He has trained under chefs including Wylie Dufresne (wd-50), Josia Citrin (Melisse), and Heston Blumenthal (Fat Duck).

Freemole is a resident of Greenfield Hills, where he and his wife, Emily are raising four children.

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