Montalvo Presents Culinary and Master Gardener Workshops

For Immediate Release Contact: Becki Gervin, 408.961.5814 January 12, 2011 [email protected]

Learn about lemons, pizza and getting rid of pests in your garden

SARATOGA, Calif. – Montalvo Arts Center continues the expansion of its educational offerings with five workshops and classes for adults, beginning Feb. 5: a workshop on lemons given by Montalvo’s very own Culinary Fellow, Andrea Blum. Also scheduled this year are lessons on making pizza, working with tomatoes and workshops with Bay Area Master Gardeners. Spaces for these workshops can be reserved through the Montalvo Box Office.

One of Montalvo’s main goals for its overall programming is to offer events that are accessible and relevant to the community. Not only is Montalvo offering the community more ways to enjoy the buildings and grounds, but also the chance to learn skills they can take home with them. Montalvo’s culinary workshops and Master Gardener series fit perfectly in this age of sustainability and best practices in food and gardening.

“Montalvo is fortunate to have resources like Andrea and the Master Gardeners with whom we have developed relationships,” said Kelly Sicat, director of the Lucas Artists Residency Program. “We look forward to sharing their culinary and gardening knowledge with the community.” CULINARY WORKSHOPS WITH CULINARY FELLOW ANDREA BLUM LEMONS Saturday, February 5, 10am-12:30pm Historic Villa Kitchen General: $55; Members: $45 Lemons are key on Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Blum hosts an intimate workshop covering a little-known lemon risotto recipe and other inspiring ways to use the abundant local lemon harvest.

THE ART OF PIZZA Saturday, April 2, 10am-12:30pm Lucas Artists Residency Program General: $55; Members: $45 Discover the magic combination of pizza and wood-burning ovens in this workshop, which will give participants a close-up look at the residency’s newest tool, a wood-burning pizza oven. A behind-the-scenes peek into Montalvo’s mostly private Lucas Artists Residency complex, this class takes place in the Commons Building.

SEPTEMBER TOMATOES Sunday, September 25, 1pm-3:30pm Historic Villa Kitchen General: $55; Members: $45 Explore the joys of homegrown tomatoes. Blum demonstrates a selection of her favorite recipes for September tomatoes in this intimate workshop.

MASTER GARDENER WORKSHOPS

HOW TO GROW A WINNING TOMATOES Saturday, March 5, 10am & 1pm Workshops are 1.5 hours Kitchen Garden, Lucas Artists Residency Program General: $30 General; Members: $20

Join certified Master Gardener Edgar Lo as he teaches participants how to grow strong and flavorful tomatoes. Lo created the tomato cultivar “Ed's Millennium,” which has garnered praise in tastings at the Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County and beyond. In addition to his enthusiasm for gardening and his appreciation for fine food and wine, Lo’s interests take him into the community as a fisherman, wild mushroom forager, and beekeeper. A retired aerospace quality assurance specialist and avid consumer advocate, Lo advocates healthy living for humans and shares his passions through Qi Gong martial arts training and instruction.

PRACTICAL PEST MANAGEMENT FOR YOUR GARDEN Saturday, May 21, 10am & 1pm Saturday, August 27, 10am & 1pm Workshops are 90 min. – 2 hrs Kitchen Garden, Lucas Artists Residency Program General: $30; Members $20

Join certified Master Gardener Ann Northrup as she teaches how to identify good versus “pesky” insects in the garden, and how to understand the relationship between these two categories of insects. Northrup, who has a background in microbiology and molecular biology, has a long-standing interest in plant pathology for which she earned a master’s degree at UC Berkeley. She currently consults privately in plant pathology and arboriculture, and teaches horticultural classes at Foothill and Merritt Colleges. This workshop will bring participants into the Kitchen Garden at the Lucas Artists Residency Program, so they can see first hand how these insects look and what they do to the garden. The Integrated Pest Management concepts taught in this class can then be applied to other pests in the garden such as weeds and disease organisms.

About Montalvo Arts Center Montalvo Arts Center is an oasis of culture and nature that fulfills its mission by creating and presenting arts of all types; by nurturing artists; and by using its historic Villa, buildings and grounds in innovative ways that engage people in the creative process. Montalvo embraces Silicon Valley’s leadership in innovation by being an inspirational catalyst that connects artists, community and visitors so they can experience and celebrate the creative process. Montalvo’s programming includes: an annual theme-based arts program; music and performance; education and public programs; new media and visual arts; and the Sally and Don Lucas Artists Residency Program. Located in the Saratoga foothills in the midst of Silicon Valley, Montalvo occupies a Mediterranean-style villa on 175 stunning acres, which Senator James Phelan left to the people of California for the encouragement of promising students in the areas of art, music, literature and architecture. Montalvo celebrates its centennial in 2012. For more information about Montalvo Arts Center, call 408.961.5800 or visit www.montalvoarts.org.