Lunch & Partial Participation Class
Photo by Cathy Bjeldanes
Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Program location: Farm at the Arb - Kitchen Classroom (Myers Education Center)
Class Overview:
Join us in the Myers Kitchen Classroom for Cookbook Club with Chef Beth, a delightful weekday escape that blends great food with great inspiration. Each session features a delicious lunch drawn from the pages of a celebrated chef’s cookbook, followed by engaging culinary instruction from Chef Beth Fisher — a mix of demonstration and partial participation. Discover the stories, techniques and creative touches that transform recipes into artistry — and leave inspired to bring that same magic to your own kitchen.
In this Chapter One edition, we will draw inspiration from Julia Child's, "The Way to Cook." Smell the rosemary popcorn as you enter the kitchen classroom and allow Chef Beth to show you how easy it is to preserve your garden herbs for your home pantry. You will enjoy a French-inspired lunch served family-style and then have a chance to make your own dessert-filled crêpe and learn more ways to incorporate crêpes onto your holiday table.
In this lunch and partial participation class you will:
- Enjoy a fun discussion about Julia Child's, "The Way to Cook"
- Learn to make herb salts for flavorful dish enhancements
- Discover hands-on dessert ideas that are simple and tasty
- Take home new recipes for your holidays and a sample of herb salt
Lunch Menu
First, enjoy a menu featuring classic French comfort dishes with Chef Beth’s creative twist:
- Chicken Provençale
- Charred Broccolini
- Buttered Potatoes
Hands-On
After lunch, wash your hands and make your own dessert crêpe and savory crêpe:
- Sweet: Cocoa Crêpe with Cherry-Nut Filling
- Savory: Chive Crêpe with Asparagus Pesto
- Rosemary-Salted Popcorn
Please note: You are welcome to bring the cookbook, but it is not expected or necessary to fully participate in the class. We are unable to accommodate individualized changes to the menu.
Instructor:
Chef Beth Fisher is thrilled to bring her experience to a new role as Culinary Lead at The University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Known for her years of teaching at various cooking schools and creative culinary work at several popular Twin Cities restaurants, Beth is now focused on enhancing the Arboretum's fast growing culinary offerings and kitchen classroom educational experiences. Join Beth and discover the joy of learning and cooking in the kitchen!
We recommend that you enter the Arboretum via the back gate on 82nd St, not the main entrance on Hwy 5. This is the most direct route to access the Farm at the Arb, and avoids potential delays when driving through the Arboretum.
Address: Farm at the Arb Entrance Gate
If you do wish to enter through the main Arboretum gate on Hwy 5, you can take 3-Mile Drive through the Arboretum and turn right on Peter Moe Drive to get to the Myers Education Center (this route may take an additional 15-20 minutes, so please plan accordingly).
Main Entry instructions:
You will receive a bar-code ticket for entry to the Arboretum in your email purchase confirmation. Your ticket is valid for entry on the day of your class. Present your ticket to the gate attendant as you enter the Arboretum. You may stay at the Arboretum after class as long as you want during our operating hours.