Cooking to Celebrate Ontario
from the farm to the kitchen
One of my favourite things to do, and ways I stay connected to the place that I live, is to pick Ontario fruit and vegetables fresh from the farm when I can.
So this year let’s hit the road, find an orchard, or spend some time getting our hands into the dirt! We’ll bring back the local bounty to prepare into a fresh recipe for you to take home with you.
Spring
Early springs respectfully foraged wild ramps, asparagus, late spring strawberries.
- marinated wild ramp cheese
- savoury strawberry thyme preserve
- pickled asparagus
Summer
The bursting season for abundant preserves: strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches and more.
- cherry basil preserve
- herb de provence jelly
- strawberry jam
Autumn
Early fall tomatoes and pears, late fall beets and apples.
- herb roasted tomato sauce
- spicy corn salsa
- pickled beets
- cinnamon spiced applesauce
Winter
Farm-fresh Milk: Artisinal cheeses, homemade butter, yogurt, ice cream
+
Sourdough Bread
Available all year round.
A Message from The Contemplative Cook
an invitation to you...
For the sake of slowing down, art and spirit and good food, I dedicate my love and hands to artisanal cooking in my kitchen; to be steadily rooted down to a place and touched by its natural rhythm, to care for the world and your soul in this way.
Somehow this way of living and cooking is continually feeding a gentle goodness in my life - it always has, and something about it tells me it always will. It's in the slower moments, the quiet ones, when I feel it: a gratitude warming the heart full with daring to live such a simple, yet rich and meaningful life. If I am so lucky, a lifetime of this will refine and teach me how to cook well, and live well.
Come, join me in my home kitchen to cook, create, and find a little peace - it would be my joy to serve you.
May the Contemplative Cook in you shine, too.
Love,
Alissa
homemade Kitchen Staples
seasonal preserves
seasonal preserves
seasonal preserves
Jams, herb jellies, salsas, pickles, fruit preserves.
Beautiful accompaniments that capture the flavours, colours and spirit of Ontario.
farm-fresh milk
seasonal preserves
seasonal preserves
Artisanal cheese + hand churned butter + yogurt + ice cream.
Discover a delightful craft made with a slow, gentle and patient touch.
sourdough rising
seasonal preserves
sourdough rising
Natural, whole-wheat goodness baked for you.
Who doesn't love the warming scent of bread, fresh from the oven?
Private Cook + Bespoke Meal Service
A
Love good food but life is too busy to cook?
Let me make your life easier, your home more peaceful, and your belly happier with my bespoke private cooking service.
Please email to discuss the details!
Culinary Sessions
Hands-On Cooking experience
Mindful Cooking for Children
Mindful Cooking for Children
Slowing down and cooking together to help you unwind, be creative, and savour the goodness of life.
(PS. Gift Certificates Available!)
Mindful Cooking for Children
Mindful Cooking for Children
Mindful Cooking for Children
One-to-one sessions to nurture your child, and inspire creativity and confidence in the kitchen.
Special Events
Mindful Cooking for Children
Special Events
This winter join poet Rev. Dr. Candice Bist + The Contemplative Cook Alissa Price for a nourishing conversation over a delicious, autumn-inspired lunch.
(PS. More dates coming this winter!)
Hands-On Cooking
mindful cooking for children
Supporting children to thrive in life, and the kitchen!
- Developing mindfulness + thoughtfulness with the foods we cook, eat, and share
- Fostering creativity, kindness + self-awareness
- Teaching accessible cooking techniques to build confidence and encourage fun, healthy eating
Winter 2025
Conversations Over Poetry + Lunch
Winter dates coming!
11:30am-2:30pm
Join poet Rev. Dr. Candice Bist + The Contemplative Cook Alissa Price for a nourishing conversation over a delicious, autumn-inspired lunch.
$135 taxes incl. per person. Limited seating.
Winter Mindful Cooking Sessions
Rustic Roasted Squash + Sage Galette
February Mondays 10:30am-1pm
Come and feel nourished with some creative cooking time together; to slow down, and celebrate the winter season!
With this hands-on session, we'll dive into this savoury take on the classic galette pastry, filled with roasted delicata squash, bacon, crispy sage, sprinkled with a homemade creamy cheese (that's right...we'll make cheese!), and topped with toasted pumpkin seeds.
Guests will leave with their galette lovingly packaged to take home with them.
Homemade Pierogi
March Mondays 10:30am-1pm
There is peace in a slower, creative rhythm.
Let's settle into a chill groove together, preparing a large batch of homemade perogies from scratch to finish.
Each guest will leave with plenty to enjoy for dinner or freeze.
Please be in touch to discuss date and time availability.
Winter Mindful Cooking Sessions
rustic roasted squash galette
Come and feel nourished with some creative cooking time together; to slow down, and celebrate the winter season!
With this hands-on session, we'll dive into this savoury take on the classic galette pastry, filled with roasted delicata squash, bacon, crispy sage, sprinkled with a homemade creamy cheese (that's right...we'll make cheese!), and topped with toasted pumpkin seeds.
Guests will leave with their galette lovingly packaged to take home with them.
homemade pierogies
There is peace in a slower, creative rhythm.
Let's settle into a chill groove together, preparing a large batch of homemade perogies from scratch to finish.
Each guest will leave with plenty to enjoy for dinner or freeze.
Please be in touch to discuss date and time availability.
Join The Contemplative Cook!
Private Winter Sessions:
Mondays 10:30am-1pm
$195 + HST for a single person session
or
$149 + HST per person when booked in a pair!
The fee includes preparation for your arrival, an artisanal breakfast snack + lunch prepared just for you, the cooking experience, the cost of ingredients, and the finished creation, lovingly packaged to take home with you.