From the Farm Cooking School is Perfect Fit for Maison Maitland
MAITLAND - From the Farm Cooking School has arrived at Maison Maitland, formerly Maplehurst Manor and Carriage House.
Owner Cynthia Peters has been building her business in the Prince Edward County culinary region for well over a decade. Now she's relocated here to transform the 1827 Georgian Manor in Maitland into the popular farm-to-table cooking school. Chef Cynthia's signature style is creating delightful international dishes with seasonal fresh local foods in unique heritage surroundings.
"I want to create a more personal, cultural experience that highlights local ingredients and producers with the stories and heritage behind the place and region," says Cynthia, a recognized farm-to-table trailblazer, wine and food tour curator, food writer and author of The Art of Herbs Cookbook.
"I believe in showcasing the best food and drink of the region. I've been reaching out to businesses to introduce myself to learn more about their offerings. Collaborations and partnerships have been a key driver of growing my business the past 13 years," says Cynthia. "I'm hoping that Maison Maitland becomes a culinary destination for the area."
"I like to build businesses from the ground up and work with new communities to create value in tourism," she said. "There are a lot of hidden gems here in this area making it a unique destination, including activities and sites built around the water and history. It can make you feel transported to a different era."
Since opening this past spring, Cynthia has welcomed students into her large, bright kitchen for classes ranging from Tuscan Farmhouse (shown in the top feature photo) to the Vibrant Flavours of Thailand and Vietnamese Street Food. Participants come from as far away as Toronto, Belleville, Ottawa and throughout the Ottawa Valley. Her clientele is growing, including area residents.
Her plan is to renovate the coach house to create holiday gîtes (villas) like those found in France's countryside. "I've always wanted to add on accommodations to my cooking school," says Cynthia. This will expand her offerings to longer culinary retreats, getaways and historical stays for couples and groups.
The school is a division of From the Farm Enterprises Inc. Cynthia opened her cooking school in 2010 at her and her husband's Loyalist farmhouse near Belleville. It became a designated "Feast On" location and the school was also awarded a Canadian Signature Experiences designation in 2012 by Destination Canada.
A former Personal Chef, Cynthia is an honours graduate of Liaison College of Culinary Arts and studied at Le Cordon Blue. She offers public cooking classes, private group classes of four people and up, and corporate team building classes with 8-16 people with cooking competitions.
She also offers an all-day culinary adventure where you visit the market or local farm to gather your food, then return to Maison Maitland to prepare your feast. Her curriculum includes bold flavours and foods she's discovered in her world travels, including food and wine tours in France.
To learn more about the Farm to Table Cooking School and Maison Maitland, visit the website and check out the Facebook and Instagram pages. You can contact Cynthia at 613-922-9194 or send her an email.
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