Wildly Good Cook Certificate Program

Learn to cook delicious, seasonal food from scratch for $5 a day per person or less! Romp through the book Wildly Affordable Organic with these four courses and get your signed certificate as a Wildly Good Cook! All classes are 90 minutes, with a cooking demonstration and a sample to taste. Each class in a series and each series are designed to fit together nicely, so you won't have to worry about taking classes with boring overlaps or puzzling gaps. Each class can also stand on its own as well.

Best Use of Your Resources: Shopping, Planning, and Cooking

Save time and money preparing delicious meals. Learn where to scrimp and where to splurge in the grocery store, including the truth behind some popular food myths. Find seasonal bargains beyond the produce section and make your own by feeding your freezer. Learn tips to get organized, stretch your budget, and trim your waistline. Even cut down on dish washing and let foods "cook" while you sleep! See how the recipe for Better Blueberry Pancakes puts many of these ideas together.

Delicious, Thrifty, Healthy Beans

Delicious, nutritious beans are one of the great food bargains. Learn about cooking dried beans, including why to soak and when to salt. Find out how to turn one big pot of beans into three or more different recipes. Learn to make and freeze your own beany "fast food" loaded with vegetables to help you get through any time or budget crunch.

Making the Most of Seasonal Vegetables

You can afford to enjoy organic vegetables! Learn to squeeze the most flavor and value out of produce in every season. Use quick variations on tomato, peanut, and pesto sauces to showcase fresh bargains throughout the year. Easy tricks with stalks, stems, and peels help get the most out of your food dollar and reduce your environmental footprint.

Cook for Good in 20 Minutes a Day

In just 20 minutes of active time a day, you can cook a big part of your family's food for the week from pure, seasonal ingredients. You'll marvel at how easy it is to save money by cooking delicious food from scratch. I'll show you my super-efficient cooking plan that lets even a busy family enjoy home-made bread, pasta sauces, bean stews, healthy snacks, speedy side dishes, and fruit desserts.  This class is the perfect introduction to the Wildly Affordable Organic Challenge!

Cooking Certificate FAQ

Q: What good is the certificate?

A: While I'd like to be able to say that the Wildly Good Cook certificate will help get you through airport security or make your bread rise without fail, it's true purpose is to amuse and honor people who take the series. It will be suitable for framing and signed by me and the local coordinator. We hope you'll put it in a gorgeous frame and hang it in your kitchen or other favorite spot. Feel free to cite it if anyone dares challenge your cooking acumen: "Sir, I'll have you know that I am a certified Wildly Good Cook!"

Q: What recipes do you demonstrate? What samples are available for tasting?

A: It depends on the season, the place where the classes are taught, and the number of participants. Previous classes have enjoyed Better Blueberry Pancakes, Cuban Black Beans, Black Bean Chili, Hummus, Bean Salad, Spicy Peanut Noodles with Spring Vegetables, Double Asparagus Pasta, and Whisk Bread.

Q: What other classes do you teach?

A: See my other classes and talks here. I'm also open to tailoring a talk for your group. Just fill out an event-request form to get started.