Experience Level: Beginner

Learn how to grow herbs in the Central Illinois climate, pot herbs in a container, and then taste how they are used in a meal at Cooking with Herbs on Saturday, Sept 12 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m in the Herb Garden and Evergreen Lodge.

Join Kay Karnes and Piatt County Master Gardeners in the Herb Garden to begin this workshop, where you will receive a tour of the garden, which is certified by the Illinois Herb Association.

Then, adjourn to the classroom in Evergreen Lodge to learn how to grow herbs and plant a container of herbs that do well in Central Illinois.  Finally, a buffet lunch prepared by Leah Bodine of the Greenhouse Cafè will be provided along with cooking tips to use herbs and spices in various recipes.

$50/person.Registration closes Sept. 5 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn about the process of making sourdough bread at Beginner Sourdough Breadmaking on Sundays, Sept. 27 or Oct. 11 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Mansion Kitchen and Carriage House.

Instructor Hannah Fink will cover the basic biology of a ferment and what it means to a sourdough culture, how to mix sourdough, how to maintain a healthy starter in your home and the importance of baking with regionally grown grains. Students will also get hands-on experience as they learn to mix sourdough.

Prepared dough will be available to showcase baking and for students to prepare a snack toward the end of class. Students will take home their own jar of sourdough culture, a sample of gains from Janie’s Mill, as well as printouts of everything covered, simple recipes and a thorough list of resources.

$100/person*. Registration will close 10 days before each course begins or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should bring a container to take home their sourdough (5-quart capacity preferred)

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn about the process of making sourdough bread at Beginner Sourdough Breadmaking on Sundays, Sept. 27 or Oct. 11 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Mansion Kitchen and Carriage House. (Each class covers the same material.)

Instructor Hannah Fink will cover the basic biology of a ferment and what it means to a sourdough culture, how to mix sourdough, how to maintain a healthy starter in your home and the importance of baking with regionally grown grains. Students will also get hands-on experience as they learn to mix sourdough.

Prepared dough will be available to showcase baking and for students to prepare a snack toward the end of class. Students will take home their own jar of sourdough culture, a sample of gains from Janie’s Mill, as well as printouts of everything covered, simple recipes and a thorough list of resources.

$100/person. Registration will close 10 days before each course begins or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

All Skill Levels (Ages 15+; parents/guardians are not required to register with their children, but all minors must have a parent/guardian on-site.)  

Make your own delicious, flaky creations at Whole Grain Pie Dough Workshop on Sunday, Nov.1 from 2-5 p.m. in the Mansion Kitchen.  

Instructor Hannah Fink will share how to make a flaky, buttery pie crust using locally grown wheat from Janie’s Mill. Students will make pie dough to take home, working with whole grains for a flavorful and nutritious bite. In addition, students will work with pre-made dough to showcase several ways to build sweet and savory treats, utilizing local and seasonal produce. Best of all, students will snack and enjoy each other’s company!

$85/person*. Registration closes Oct. 18 or when the capacity is reached. All sales are final.  

*Students should wear clothes suitable for getting flour on. Students should bring a rolling pie and their favorite pie recipe to share.  

Experience Level: Beginner/Youth

Learn how to decorate fall-themed cookies at Fall Cookie Decorating for Kids on Sunday, November 1 from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Evergreen Lodge.

Instructor Jennifer Holhubner will demonstrate and walk youth through classic buttercream frosting application and other techniques. Each participant will complete 3 fall-themed cookies.

$40/person*. Register here by Oct 25. All sales are final.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the instructor

Champaign-Urbana native Jennifer Holhubner taught herself how to decorate cakes when she was 16 years old and took up cookie decorating in 2019.

“Although they intimidated me, I forged on and got better with each order. I still have room to grow as we all do in whatever task we take on,” she said. “But I love to share the aspects of baking and decorating. I can actually now say, I am cookier!”

Jennifer also teaches decorating classes at Parkland College.

Experience Level: Beginner/Youth

Learn how to decorate fall-themed cookies at Fall Cookie Decorating for Kids on Sunday, November 1 from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Evergreen Lodge.

Instructor Jennifer Holhubner will demonstrate and walk youth through classic buttercream frosting application and other techniques. Each participant will complete 3 fall-themed cookies.

$40/person*. Register here by Oct 25. All sales are final.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the instructor

Champaign-Urbana native Jennifer Holhubner taught herself how to decorate cakes when she was 16 years old and took up cookie decorating in 2019.

“Although they intimidated me, I forged on and got better with each order. I still have room to grow as we all do in whatever task we take on,” she said. “But I love to share the aspects of baking and decorating. I can actually now say, I am cookier!”

Jennifer also teaches decorating classes at Parkland College.

Experience Level: Beginner (ages 18+)

Join us for a hands-on baking experience and leave with everything you need to bake a homemade fruitcake to share with family and friends this holiday season at Traditional Christmas Fruitcakes on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 6-8 p.m. in the Carriage House.

In this class, participants will learn about the history of the fruitcakes, and make their own richly fruited batter to take home and bake.

There is no fancy equipment needed. All other equipment, including the ingredients and the instructions, will be provided. By the end of the class, participants will have made a traditional fruitcake according to a time honored English recipe to take home and bake in their own oven—a wonderfully indulgent addition to their holiday feast!

$80/person. Registration closes Nov. 5 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students will need to bring their own mixing bowl (preferably glass, ceramic, or stainless steel, not plastic), a wooden spoon (a thick heavy spoon works best), and an 8″ round cake pan.