Food & Wine

Classes, programs and educational experiences

Savor the flavors of the season, made with fresh local ingredients, in a social, casual atmosphere! Led by Chef Beth Fisher, Chef Shelagh Mullen, and special guests, attendees will meet fun people and try something new in a unique setting at the Farm at the Arb. 

Classes are offered in various formats, including Culinary Classroom Demonstration (lecture-style demonstrations), Chef's Counter (full hands-on participation), and Kitchen Studio (a mix of demonstrations and partial participation). Class descriptions will note any hands-on components as well as the menu offerings.

Adult classes are intended for Ages 18+ unless otherwise stated. Classes with alcoholic beverages are Ages 21+. Please note: we are unable to accommodate individualized changes to the menus.

  • Cooked pizza coming out of green outdoor pizza oven

    Pizza! with Outdoor Pizza Oven

    Friday, May 16 or Thursday, June 26 • 5:30-8 p.m.
    Kitchen Studio Participation Class
    $95 member/$115 non-member
    New date coming soon! Join the waitlist
  • table in field with food and tablecloth with mountains in background

    Montana to Minnesota: A Tasteful Journey

    Saturday, May 17 • Cancelled; rescheduled date coming soon
    Kitchen Studio Participation Class
    $95 member/$115 non-member
    Sold out, waitlist available.
  • Rhubarb and knife on cutting board with pan and jar of cooked rhubarb

    Culinary Classroom: An Ode to Rhubarb

    Saturday, May 31 • 10 a.m.-noon
    Culinary Demonstration Class
    $75 member/$95 non-member
  • steak and vegetables on grill by lake

    Grilling with Dad

    Thursday, June 12 • 5:30-8 p.m.
    Kitchen Studio Participation Class
    $95 member/$115 non-member
  • Log cabin by river with sunlight coming through trees

    Cozy Cabin Cooking

    Saturday, June 21 • 10 a.m.-noon
    Kitchen Studio Participation Class
    $95 member/$115 non-member
  • Chef and horticulturists in kitchen preparing food

    Grow. Harvest. Eat.

    June 25, July 30, Aug. 20 or Sept. 17 • 9 a.m.-noon
    $145 member/$165 non-member
    Garden to Plate Experience!
  • Beekeeper Ping harvests honey in the Bee Center.

    Watch the Honey Harvest

    Saturday, Aug 2 • 10 a.m.-noon or 1-3 p.m.
    INCLUDED with admission, no program registration needed.

Arboretum Culinary Chefs

Chef Beth Fisher, 500px, Photo by Jason Boudreau-Landis

Chef Beth Fisher

Arboretum Culinary Lead

Beth brings an extensive culinary background including an instructor at Kitchen Window and other various culinary schools in the metro area. Many people know Beth from her work at Lucia's, Wise Acre Eatery, Thirty Bales, Rustica, French Meadow and most recently, Kruse Markit. Beth is thrilled to be developing cooking classes for visitors at the Arboretum's new Myers Center, which has a new, high-tech kitchen classroom.

Read an article about Beth - Star Tribune Variety section Oct. 8, 2023.

Chef Shelagh Mullen in apron outside in front of barn

Chef Shelagh Mullen

Culinary Program Lead at the Farm at the Arb

Chef Shelagh Mullen comes to the Arboretum from the private sector where she has spent the past 18 years teaching cooking classes and leading culinary tours of the “Emerald Isle,” Ireland. She has a rich background in event planning and recipe development which has prepared her well for her new chapter at the Arboretum. Chef Shelagh hopes to reach as many guests as possible to share the joy of preparing seasonably wholesome meals. Shelagh calls herself a “food designer,” reflecting her belief that food is central to both business and life.