The Pie Academy on the Road
Would you and your group like to learn the secrets of making fabulous pies from the guy whose definitive book on the subject – Pie, Harvard Common Press, 2004 – was recently named one of the top 7 baking books of the last 25 years? Would you like to be entertained and educated – up close and personal – by a recipient of The Julia Child Cookbook Award, someone who has appeared on Good Morning America, given talks at the Smithsonian, and taught thousands of home cooks how to bake?
If so, then consider asking Ken to join you at your upcoming event.
Ken has traveled extensively across the United States – from the islands of Hawaii to the back roads of New England – sharing his passion for baking and teaching home cooks the essential skills for pie mastery.
Whether the venue is the more structured format of a classroom…or the informal setting of a private home…Ken will help you design a memorable cooking event that’s just right for your situation.
Here’s a sampling of some of the events Ken is available for on a limited basis (as scheduling allows – please inquire at least 3 months ahead, if possible; at least 6 months for a fall event)
Demonstration Classes – These classes are typically held in a cooking school environment where an overhead mirror and sound system are available. Class size is anywhere from 20 to 50 or more students and runs about 2 hours in length. Students observe, ask questions, but do not participate in any hands-on work. The teaching style is engaging and personal, with an emphasis on a variety of techniques for preparing and handling pie pastry. The techniques are applied to the assembly of a classic apple pie finished 3 ways: with a full top crust, a lattice top crust, and a crumb topping. Pie samples are provided, as are printed recipes and other handouts.
Hands-On Classes – More intimate than a demonstration class, a hands-on class usually involves no more than 20 students who want to learn or improve their pie making skills. These 3 to 4 hour sessions are all about rolling up your sleeves and diving into the fundamentals – preparing and rolling pastry, making a filled fruit pie, lattice tops, and much more. Each student makes a pie, which is either baked on site or taken home to bake. A venue for a hands-on class might be a sponsored event at a large hotel, a country inn, cruise ship, or supermarket chain with appropriate facilities. Recipes and other handouts are provided.
Private Pie Party (aka Ken Unplugged) – Are you holding a private party or fundraiser – in your home or at your club – that you’d like to spice up with a cooking celebrity? Why not invite Ken to be your guest of honor? Ken will mingle with your group, talk pie, and sign his cookbooks for your guests, then deliver an entertaining talk about the food writing life or other chosen topic. Arrangements can be made – if desired – to serve a variety of Ken’s delectable pies. Your guests will long remember this special get-together with one of America’s foremost food writers and cooking teachers.
These are just some of the events Ken is available for, and if you have a specific, customized need, just let us know. Ken has done demonstration classes for groups as large as 300…he has judged numerous cooking contests…and he’s even been the grand prize – a weekend of private baking lessons with him at a Vermont country inn – for a major recipe contest. If you’d like to speak with Ken about appearing at your function, you can contact him by clicking the Contact tab at the top of the page.
Note: Fees are available on request and determined by the scope of the event.
