” Let’s Cook Together” at The Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. Garden Club with California Greek Girl, Mary Papoulias-Platis...
Welcome to my cooking classes!
Just recently I have partnered with the Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club to teach and direct a new culinary program for the community. My goal and emphasis for the program is to build a relationship with our community by scheduling educational programs, introducing new foods, and experiencing the practice of ”eating daily as close to our homes” as our motto. Our menu will represent what is in season locally from our nearby farmers as the source of our class ingredients which will support and encourage our farmers to continue bringing us farm fresh ingredients to our tables.
We are beginning a C.S.A. (Community Supported Agriculture) delivery with Suzie’s Farm for our neighbors, also purchasing locally from our organic health-food stores, and in the future building a children’s program for our younger audience. I ‘m just thrilled to have the opportunity to organize and develop my own program of inspiring events, involving the talents of our local writers, chefs, and artists surrounding our beautiful city.
My joy will be when we can gather together for a meal and enjoy many “culinary discussions around the open table”. The center began from the garden community in town as far back as 1926 and many of my classes will continue to be focused around the family garden. A few classes I will be teaching include the use of herbs in our daily dishes, vegetables grown from our gardens, and seasonal fruits and berries for your summer entertaining. The complete class schedule will be available soon. Classes are scheduled to begin May 10th, every Tuesday morning at 11:00 and Thursday evening at 6:30 in the kitchen.
More about Mary Papoulias-Platis
Mary stayed in Southern California to pursue a college education. She graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a teaching credential, and a Master in Computer Education. She has always been most passionate about teaching students how to read and write. Mary has taught many years in North County San Diego, and over the years has continued to create innovative ways of engaging her students. One of her favorite tactics is to include cooking classes into her lesson plan!
In addition to her teaching career, Mary opened the first children’s bookstore in North County San Diego called “The Reading Patch”. Here, she held author signings, live events, art classes, and wrote a children’s newsletter that was sent out to the local teachers and parents. While Mary has enjoyed her many years as an educator, she has also loved being a chef.
More than 15 years ago she combined her love of cooking with her entrepreueial skills to become Co-Owner and executive chef of the Greek Gourmet, a family run concession business and catering business. Her successful business has provided Mary with an array of opportunities to express her culinary talents, as well as the perfect outlet to provide her community with fine Greek Cuisine. Mary is currently working on her first collection of recipes for her first Greek cookbook. Mary’s blog is about her travels along the beautiful California coastline, as well as her enjoyment of Greek cooking, gardening, and the lifestyle that she has created with her family and friends over the years.
You can reach me for special engagements, food demonstrations, cooking classes, or catering events at: Thme4Mary@sbcglobal.net.
