The Catskill Center will host an exciting new series of foraging, identification and cooking workshops with Chef Rob Handel (of Heather Ridge Farm and The Bees Knees Café in Preston Hollow, NY). The series will take place at the Catskill Center’s headquarters in Arkville as well as locations like the Platte Clove Preserve, Thorn Preserve and the Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn how to identify edible native spring greens, learn new cooking techniques like fermentation, infusion and pickling, learn best practices for wild foraging and enjoy a delicious tasting after each session. Registration is required, please visit CatskillCenter.org/events for full details and to register. For more information, please contact Katie Palm at kpalm@catskillcenter.org or 845.586.2611. Full schedule and workshop descriptions below.

ABOUT CHEF ROB HANDEL
Chef Handel has been cooking since his grandmother first set him to cracking eggs and peeling potatoes in her Catskills resort kitchen as a child. Since then he has broadened his culinary horizons through research and travel, as well as periods of formal study in biology, chemistry, and culinary arts. Rob is currently the executive chef at The Bees Knees Café at Heather Ridge Farm, where he crafts both classic dishes and unique preparations pairing the meat and poultry raised on the farm with local produce, cheeses, dairy, and foraged goods. While not in the kitchen, Rob can be found in the woods foraging mushrooms and wild foods, or tending to his own small home farm.

CATSKILL CUISINE WITH CHEF ROB HANDEL – WORKSHOP DETAILS

Identifying Edible Spring Greens of The Catskills
Prepare for the spring flush of wild edible greens with chef and forager Rob Handel from Heather Ridge Farm and The Bees Knees Café in Preston Hollow. In his presentation Rob will highlight some of the wild edible greens common in the Catskills and how to identify them. Possible lookalikes, other identification resources, and simple ways to utilize them will be discussed. The presentation will be followed with a Q&A session and samples of foods prepared with some of the greens mentioned. Another presentation elaborating on unique ways to cook with wild foods is scheduled for April 20th and will build on the information presented in this presentation.

Thursday, March 16, 7-9pm
$15 per person  
Register at catskillcenter.org/events or call (845) 586-2611 ext 112
Program will be held at the Catskill Center, 43355 Route 28, Arkville, NY

Rethinking Wild Edibles
Join chef and forager Rob Handel from Heather Ridge Farm and The Bees Knees Café for a presentation discussing unique ways to utilize wild edibles of the Catskills. Many of the common weeds found in our gardens, pastures, and roadsides can add rich and vibrant flavors to everyday meals. Learn how techniques like fermentation, infusions, pickling, and more can unlock these flavors and turn “weeds” from drab to fab. The presentation will be followed with a Q&A session and samples of foods prepared using the techniques described.

Thursday, April 20, 7-9pm
$15 per person  
Register at catskillcenter.org/events or call (845) 586-2611 ext 112
Program will be held at the Catskill Center, 43355 Route 28, Arkville, NY

Foraging Walk, Talk and Tasting at Thorn Preserve
Learn more about the early summer flora of the Thorn Preserve with chef and forager Rob Handel from Heather Ridge Farm and The Bees Knees Café. Rob will lead an hour long walk through the preserve during which we’ll learn to identify wild edibles common in the Catskills. The walk will be followed by a short presentation outlining how to use some of the products found on the walk, and a tasting of some of these wild foods.

Saturday, July 8, 3-5 pm
$20 per person (program limited to 20 people)
Register at catskillcenter.org/events or call (845) 586-2611 ext 112
Program will be held at the Catskill Center’s Thorn Preserve, 55 John Joy Road, Woodstock, NY

Foraging Walk, Talk and Tasting at Catskill Interpretive Center
Learn more about the midsummer flora of the Catskills and Hudson Valley with chef and forager Rob Handel from Heather Ridge Farm and The Bees Knees Café. Rob will lead an hour long walk around the Catskills Interpretive Center grounds during which we’ll learn to identify wild edibles common in the region. The walk will be followed by a short presentation outlining how to use some of the products found on the walk, and a tasting of some of these wild foods.

Thursday, September 7, 6-8 pm
$22 per person  (program limited to 20 people)
Register at catskillcenter.org/events or call (845) 586-2611 ext 112
Program will be held at the Catskill Interpretive Center, 5096 Route 28, Mt. Tremper, NY

Foraging Walk, Talk and Tasting at Platte Clove
Learn more about the fall flora of the Catskills and Hudson Valley with chef and forager Rob Handel from Heather Ridge Farm and The Bees Knees Café. Rob will lead an hour long walk through the Platte Clove trails during which we’ll learn to identify wild edibles common in the region. The walk will be followed by a short presentation outlining how to use some of the products found on the walk, and a tasting of some of these wild foods.

Saturday, October 7, 3-5 pm
$20 per person  (program limited to 20 people)
Register at catskillcenter.org/events or call (845) 586-2611 ext 112
Program will be held at the Catskill Center’s Platte Clove Preserve, 2504 Platte Clove Road, Elka Park, NY

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ABOUT THE CATSKILL CENTER FOR CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Our Mission: To protect and foster the environmental, cultural and economic well-being of the Catskill region. Guided by the foundational understanding that conservation creates opportunity, we are the major force advocating for the Catskill region.  Since 1969, we have led the effort to protect the Catskill Park and Catskill Forest Preserve, while advancing local and regional economic development initiatives.  Our interdisciplinary approach to protecting our ecosystems and creating vibrant communities encompasses four program areas – Arts & Culture, Education, Natural Resources, and Regional Planning.

Connect with us on social media @catskillcenter#catskillcenter

43355 Route 28, Arkville, NY 12406   CatskillCenter.org

Since 1969, the Catskill Center has led the effort to protect  the Catskills.  Our Mission is to protect and foster the environmental, cultural and economic well-being of the Catskill region.