Cooking Classes, Minus the Kitchen

Picture this as your next camping trip: A canvas cabin. A well-known chef. And 36 hungry folks learning how to make paella over the campfire. Kumbaya, indeed.

Lakedale Resort on San Juan Island kicks off its Gourmet Glamping Campfire Cuisine Cooking Classes (say that five times fast) this summer, holding two-hour events on Saturdays between June 29 and September 14. Visitors staying in Lakedale’s 16 canvas cabins get first crack at the classes, and the hotel expects sell outs.

The tutorials start at 4pm and will be taught by the likes of Kyle Nicholson from the island’s Duck Soup Inn and Holly Smith from Cafe Juanita. On July 13, Maria Hines of Tilth pairs with pastry chef Sue McCown to make a shaved fennel, citrus, and arugula salad, paella, and fancy s’mores; in August, Adam Stevenson (formally of Earth and Ocean) tackles grilled pork tenderloin and a dessert we want right the heck now: peanut butter and chocolate banana boats. Find a full schedule here.

Oh, and of course there’s wine: Washington winemakers will pair to the night’s menu, and some may even show up in person to explain their pours. Dinner’s over by 6pm, so while students will be drunk, stuffed, and out in the woods, at least it won’t be dark yet. Curl up under flannel duvets and with hot water bottles left by Lakedale’s Toasty Toes turndown service.

Two-night stays, including class admission for two, start at $448.