Farm-to-Table—The Art of Creating a Late Spring Feast
June 7 @ 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
$150.00
Farm and market tours, private cooking lesson, and the art of gathering in a day.
Some of our most magical memories are made around the dinner table. But what makes these experiences unforgettable? What are the ingredients—not just on the plate, but in the atmosphere—that invite people to linger, to open up, to laugh, to connect? This class is an exploration of just that: the art of gathering.
In this immersive, hands-on experience, you’ll eat, shop, and cook your way through Leelanau County like a private chef. Along the way, you’ll learn how to craft culinary experiences where guests feel cared for, and food connects people, place, and season.
For Will Brinkerhoff, that kind of culinary magic starts in the soil. The day begins at the Suttons Bay Farmers Market, where you’ll meet local growers, hear their stories, and learn what makes Northern Michigan’s produce so vibrant. Then, take a guided tour of Loma Farm—a beautiful, diversified vegetable farm tucked in the hills of Leelanau County—and see firsthand how care for the land translates into delicious ingredients. By the end of the morning, your basket will be overflowing with tender spring greens, sweet roots, and fragrant herbs.
In the afternoon, we’ll gather in a cook’s kitchen at Cedar North in Cedar, Michigan to turn the day’s harvest into a vibrant, seasonal meal. There are no set recipes—only inspiration from what we’ve gathered and the creative energy of the group. You’ll learn to make bright dressings, infused oils and vinegars, and dishes that highlight the flavors of spring produce.
We’ll cook side by side, sharing stories, and techniques, as we prepare the meal. Then we’ll sit down together and share the feast.
This class is perfect for anyone who loved ‘The Art of Gathering’ by Priya Parker, regularly consults Martha Stewart’s ‘Entertaining,’ local food lovers, and anyone that believes that the heart of community can always be found around the table.
Itinerary:
Morning: Meet at Cedar North to outline the day and head out in carpooling groups for the day. Kick off the day by connecting with local farmers and growers at the Sutton’s Bay Farmers Market. We’ll chat about what’s in season, explore growing practices, and fill our baskets with the freshest spring produce. Head to Loma Farm, a nearby diversified vegetable farm for a farm tour. Get a deeper look at how healthy soil and thoughtful farming create vibrant, nourishing food.
Break for lunch- Linger in Leelanau County for a bite to eat or make your way to Cedar North for farmers market snacks.
Afternoon: Make our way to Cedar North in Cedar Michigan for our collaborative cooking session. Using our market haul, we’ll build a menu together—guided by the season and your curiosity. Learn hands-on techniques for creating vibrant dressings, infused oils, and simple, delicious dishes that let the produce shine.
Evening: Sit down to enjoy the meal we’ve created—an abundant, colorful spread shared in good company. This is where the magic happens: conversation, connection, and the joy of eating together. We’ll wrap up with a few final thoughts, sharing takeaways, tips, and favorite moments from the day.
What you get from the class:
- Personalized visit to the Sutton’s Bay Farmers Market
- Behind the scenes tour of Loma Farm
- Afternoon cooking lesson from a private chef
- Spring feast shared with new friends
- Leftovers to take home and savor
Meet Your Instructor:
Will Brinkerhoff
Will Brinkerhoff was trained as a cook, farmer, and scientist in Berkeley, California. He fell in love with soil science at the age of 19, and as he built relationships with farmers and ranchers through his research, he began feeding his friends and family with the produce they were growing. He quickly realized that the food he was cooking served as a bridge between his community and their local growers and landscapes. Captivated by this idea, he went straight to the birthplace of the local food movement and began his training at Chez Panisse, a kitchen that transformed the way he saw the world.
Today, Will is pursuing a PhD in soil science. When he’s not working directly with farmers through his research, he’s often checking in with them at the market to see what they’re growing and how he can honor their work in the kitchen. For Will, building community around the dinner table has always felt like magic—and he hasn’t stopped chasing that magic since his first days behind the stove.
More than a cooking class: This is more than just a cooking class. It’s for anyone who wants to go deeper in their relationship with food, farming, and gathering. We’ll explore how soil health, local food systems, and the way we come together around the table can help us care for ourselves, our communities, and the planet.
Green Door classes are immersive and intentionally long. We find that over prolonged time together, students form deeper bonds with each other, the craft, and their instructor for an over all more impactful experience. Even if you are a Traverse City local, the intention is that these classes feel a bit like a retreat away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. If you are visiting from afar, the experience can be even deeper.
Class Details:
Where is the class held?: This class takes you to three different locations in Leelanau County—Sutton’s Bay Farmers Market in Downtown Suttons Bay, Loma Farm, and Cedar North in Cedar Michigan where we will walk around the market and farm which includes uneven terrain. We will first meet at Cedar North to make a plan and arrange in carpooling groups. We will visit all of these places as a group—drives between each location are no longer than 17 minutes.
Will dietary restrictions be accommodated?: Yup! We’ll make sure everyone can enjoy. Just let us know in the additional comments section when you buy your ticket.
Cost: $150 per person which includes a $25 material fee (includes all necessary ingredients and culinary tools)
Date/Time: June 7th @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Prerequisites/Skill Level/Age Requirements:
- No prior experience required.
- Ages 18+
Booking Information and Policies:
What happens after I book the class?: After you book, we will send you a confirmation email that you are IN! A week out from the class, we will send you an email with more details about our meeting locations and some housekeeping items.
Want to make sure you have all of the information before you dive in? Here’s our cancelation policy: We understand that plans change, and we do our best to accommodate while honoring the time, energy, and resources that go into preparing for each class.
Cancellations made more than 14 days before the class start date Receive a full refund, minus a $25 administrative fee. This fee helps cover the cost of filling your spot. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer refunds for cancellations made less than 14 calendar days before class begins.
At this time, we are not able to offer:
• Course credit
• Transfers to other courses
This policy allows us to keep class sizes small and intimate, while minimizing pressure to increase overall course costs.
If the class is canceled by the school: In the event of inclement weather or other disruptions, we will issue a full refund and do our best to offer a reschedule option.
Policies:
Go for it! If you’ve been thinking about trying something new, meeting new people, and getting to understand Leelanau County even better, this is the class for you.