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Building an Outdoor Oven
May 20, 2023 @ 9:00 am - May 21, 2023 @ 5:00 pm
$130 – $230Learn to build a cob oven at a mountainside homestead in Newry, Maine! This class is being offered on a sliding scale from $130-$230 for the weekend; please pay what you are able. If you would like to apply for a scholarship you can do so here.
Wood fired earth ovens make it possible to bake wonderfully crusty breads, pizzas, and much more. We will construct an earth oven during this hands-on 2-day workshop, giving participants the skills and confidence to build their own.
The workshop will cover design considerations, materials sourcing, mix recipes, heat management, baking methods, and other aspects of construction and usage. On day 1 will focus on constructing the dome of the oven and on Day 2 we will work on the insulation layer and plastering.
This location is an incredible 600 acre property with a large trout pond, passive solar greenhouse, market garden operation, and is powered by hydroelectricity generated onsite.
Pondside camping is available with access to shower and bathroom – please indicate if you would like to camp when registering. Meals will be made with mostly organic and locally sourced ingredients from the homestead and nearby farms. One special meal will be made on a wood-fired tandoor oven which was built in a workshop last year!
About the instructor: Jesse Stevens has 16 years of experience building and operating wood-fired ovens of both cob and brick. Past projects have ranged from backyard settings to commercial restaurants and farms. Jesse also operates Sy’s Trees, a nursery and diversified orchard in Sweden, Maine that specializes in growing fruit including figs, haskap, and kiwiberries.
Host Anna Sysko, co-owner of Gemini Café and Bakery in nearby Bethel, will share her home, hospitality, and baking expertise with participants.
Accommodations:
– Camping on site (optional; included in registration fee);
– Beautiful log Cabin rental available (bed for 2) on site (please email [email protected] for the host’s contact info to reserve; there is an additional cost for the cabin rental);
– Ruthie’s Bethel Village Hotel in Bethel (next door to Gemini Cafe!)
– Many other local hotels and AirBnbs within 10 miles of the homestead.
Schedule:
• 9 am – 4 pm Saturday, May 20 – main build
• 9 am – 5 pm Sunday, May 21 – insulation, finish plastering
Enrollment is limited to 15 participants. Please bring comfortable clothing, a water bottle, work gloves and a notebook.
This event has sold out. To join the waitlist please email [email protected]
