Culinary Mini Session
Photo courtesy of iStock
Wednesday, July 1, 2026, noon-1:15 p.m.
$50 member/$70 non-member, includes Arboretum admission plus all supplies and ingredients.
Program location: Farm at the Arb - Kitchen Classroom (Myers Education Center)
Adult 18+
Class Overview:
Join Chef Cheo this summer for short, engaging cooking sessions inspired by the season. Each class features a culinary demonstration, fresh seasonal ingredients and a light lunch tasting. These fun, approachable experiences are perfect for a midweek outing.
In this session, explore the botanical elegance and culinary utility of les fines herbes — the classic French quartet of tarragon, parsley, chives and chervil. These herbs bring bright freshness and subtle depth reminiscent of a French garden lunch. Guests will begin in the Foodscape garden, experiencing the space through the eyes of a chef before harvesting ingredients for the class.
Back in the kitchen, we will learn the chemistry behind acid-based marinades for tenderizing poultry, techniques for manually emulsifying a vibrant Green Goddess dressing, a quick-pickle method for sweet peppers, and practical tips for extending the life of fresh herbs.
- Herby Bistro Salad: Fresh bibb lettuce and garden peas with a tangy Greek yogurt-based Green Goddess dressing
- Lemony Yogurt-Marinated Grilled Chicken: Lemon, Greek yogurt and fresh herb infusion
- Quick-Pickled Sweet Peppers: Sweet, tangy and crunchy
- Sparkling Botanical Spritzer: A zero-proof refresher featuring garden-fresh aromatics and fresh berries
You'll enjoy a sampling lunch featuring these dishes, along with take home recipes.
Please note: We are unable to accommodate individualized changes to the menu.
Instructor:
Chef Cheo Smith brings his experience in kitchens of all sizes — from the home oven to producing hundreds of school lunches a day, and now, to the Farm at the Arb. A Minnesota native, Cheo is a member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate and descendant of the White Earth Nation. He seeks to bridge the gaps in access and knowledge that prevent many people from getting farm fresh ingredients to their dinner table. His mission is to make preparing great tasting and healthy foods accessible to the home cook.
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.