Workshop: Fire & Earth–Cooking the Oldest Way

Workshop Description

Cooking with fire is as old as humanity itself, and in this workshop we’ll explore some of the most ancient and dramatic techniques still in use today. You’ll learn how to prepare a pit for cooking, manage coals for even heat, and use earth, stones, and leaves to create an oven right in the ground. We’ll also experiment with open‑fire cooking, preparing dishes that take advantage of the smoky heat of a campfire or grill. Alongside the practical skills, we’ll talk about the cultural significance of these techniques—from necessity in the backcountry to the centrepiece of community gatherings. It’s a sensory experience unlike any other, connecting you to both history and the elemental pleasures of cooking over fire.

Additional Information

All workshops are led by Chris Mathieson, General Manager of the Grist Mill and Gardens Historic Site. Chris is an experienced heritage site interpreter, educator, and culinary leader with a passion for connecting people to history through hands‑on food experiences. These three‑hour sessions take place primarily outdoors—often under the shelter of our Summer Kitchen, in the historic Apple House, or elsewhere on the site—making use of our wood‑fired ovens, open‑fire pits, and other heritage‑inspired cooking equipment. Dress comfortably for the weather and be ready to roll up your sleeves.

Custom, private workshops can be arranged for groups, families, or special events—please inquire for details.

For these workshops, we’re offering a range of prices depending on your ability to pay. The more “Benefactor” tickets we sell, the more subsidized ones we can offer.

Series Description

For generations, the summer kitchen was the heart of domestic life during the hot months in the Similkameen Valley—a breezy, shaded space where meals were prepared, chores completed, and crafts undertaken in comfort. At the Grist Mill and Gardens, our own Summer Kitchen continues that tradition, hosting costumed volunteers baking treats, preserving food, or hand‑dipping candles, and occasionally transforming into a charming stage for our intimate summer concerts. This August, join us for a special series of three‑hour, hands‑on workshops celebrating the history, ingenuity, and community spirit of this space. Drawing on heritage cooking techniques, seasonal abundance, and the unique resources of our site, each session blends history with practical skills you can take home.