Join Chef Luca for Cookshop’s newest class, Squirrel Meals: Thanksgiving Edition! At this class, you’ll prepare and cook the iconic dishes that you can serve on Thanksgiving!
Menu 11/20/23 :
Holiday Dinner Rolls - rolls (4), butter*
Root Vegetable Gratin - gratin, herbs for garnish*
Green Bean Casserole-fall mushroom mix, mushroom bechamel, Green Beans*, crispy shallots
Spatchcock Turkey & Gravy - turkey brine, turkey*, mirepoix, chicken stock*
Fruit Crisp - whole wheat & oat crisp topping, apples (or your favorite fruit)*, ice cream or whipped cream*
Items with an * will need need to be sourced by the student.
What to Expect:
Chef Luca will provide menus, recipes and notes to help execute your meals in an efficient manner.
Some demo plus plenty of hands-on work
This week’s menu can be gluten free and vegetarian friendly (if you skip the turkey!), with the option to add animal or plant proteins at home.
CLASS DATE: Monday, November 20th, 2023, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
About our Instructor:
San Francisco native who has lived in Oregon since 2010, Luca Ponti has been helping in the kitchen since he could talk. He started cooking professionally at Veritable Quandary, a quintessential Portland restaurant, where he developed his skills ranging from osso buco to pastry. He later became Lead Baker and Kitchen Manager at Sweedeedee in North Portland. where he became known for his exuberant energy, creativity, and the best pie in the state of Oregon, according to People Magazine. He is now the owner & creator of SquirrelmealsPDX: an at-home, private chef experience.
The Squirrel Meals Origin Story
During the early days of the pandamec, Luca’s friend, who’s childhood nickname was ‘Squirrel’, reached out to ask him to cook his family some meals. Luca devised a plan for him to pick up 3 meals, every week to feed his family during the middle of the work week. There was just one catch: Luca would design the menu that HE wanted to cook.
In just a few weeks, the simple idea became routine. The meals became more refined. The instructions became more clear. A few neighbors caught wind of the concept and decided to join in on my weekly spread. Just like that, Squirrel Meals was created.
Whether you think of Luca’s friend, Squirrel, or you think of it is as “squirreling away” nourishment for the week, this class is designed to help YOU be a more organized cook and show you tips and tricks to our version of meal prepping. Hopefully, you’ll leave with new knowledge, some delicious food, and a little bit off your to-do list for the week.