The Sustainable Cook

Looking at the date of my last post here, I'm quite embarrassed. Three months, no posts. Yikes.

For those of you who "follow" me in other contexts, you know that I've been actively blogging as The Sustainable Cook, on The Local Beet, a website dedicated to a practical approach to local eating. Others of you may have seen some of the great press we've gotten recently, particularly in Daily Candy and on NBC related to these columns. As a result, I've decided to change the title of this blog to The Sustainable Cook.

I can't think of a better post to commerorate this change than to detail the classes I'm going to be offering under my alter identity. You can book these classes in your home or at a common facility. For more information, just call 773-991-290 or email me at melissa@monogrammevents.com

A Sustainable Evening

Enjoy an evening with a few good friends over a spectacular multi-course meal of sustainably-sourced ingredients. Chef Melissa Graham will prepare an elegant, sustainable meal and show you and your guests how to green up your act in the kitchen and ultimately become a more sustainable consumer. With her emphasis of organic and local products grown by family farmers, you can trust the food will be as good for the earth as it is delicious. Wine pairing is available.
$100.00 per person (6 person minimum, 10 person maximum)

Sustainable Eating 101

Get a ‘green’ education right in the comfort of your own home. Chef Melissa Graham will help you understand the concept of sustainability and how that relates to you and your guests. This demonstration and discussion class will help you be a more sustainable cook and consumer. You will also learn how to make dishes that are as good for the earth as they are delicious.

$25.00 per person (10 person minimum)

Cooking That's Kind to the Earth and Kind to Your Wallet

In these challenging economic times, many people are left wondering whether they can eat in a way that’s good for the earth without breaking the bank. In this demonstration class, Chef Melissa Graham will explain how, with careful shopping, smart cooking and some good old fashioned frugality, environmental and fiscal sustainability can happily coexist in your kitchen.

Chef Melissa will explain where to find savings in the grocery aisles and demonstrate how to reduce waste through recycling, composting and a judicious use of leftovers. Finally, you'll learn how to make a dish that is as good for the earth as it is for your wallet.

$25.00 per person (10 person minimum)

A Well-Stocked Sustainable Kitchen

Learn how to make delicious and nutritious earth-friendly dishes on a moment's notice by creating a well-stocked kitchen of sustainable ingredients. Chef Melissa will offer specific tips and great short cuts to making a fabulous meal for your family and friends.

$25.00 per person (10 person minimum)

To Market, To Market

Learn how to navigate a farmers market in a visit to Chicago's only all-sustainable market, Green City Market with Chef Melissa Graham, the Market's membership chair. Learn what's in season and experience the bounty of some of the Midwest's greatest farmers while getting tips on how to be a more sustainable cook and consumer.

$20.00 per person (15 person maximum)

Sustainable Family Traditions

In this class, perfect for a mom's group or a parents association, you'll learn how eating sustainably will help get families back to the table, connecting with one another and the earth. Chef Melissa Graham, head spear of Purple Asparagus, will demonstrate how with projects, activities and trips to the farmers market you can help your children understand where their food comes from, get them in tune with the rhythm of the seasons and create a sense of community and respect for the farmer and producers who raise our food.

$15.00 per person (10 person minimum)