Melanie Underwood

The 6 AM Burrito That Taught Me About Boundaries

At The Gather Table Nourishment Goes Beyond The Plate Delicious Living. Mindful Connections. Everyday Rituals. UPCOMING CLASSES Chocolate Lab Camp - Next Week, 9AM-12PM Just a few spots left for kids to dive into the delicious world of chocolate! From tempering to truffle-making, this hands-on camp is pure sweet magic. Fall Offerings Kitchen Passport Series Take your kids on a culinary journey around the wor...

The Skill We Need More Than Ever

At The Gather Table Nourishment Goes Beyond The Plate Delicious Living. Mindful Connections. Everyday Rituals. UPCOMING CLASSES Our Summer Cooking Camps are filling up — and there’s still space to join us for something brand new: Mind and Kind Camp. Mind and Kind is a new offering. Through a dynamic blend of art, movement, nature exploration, and mindful activities, your child will: • Develop real-worl...

🔥 Afterschool Classes Start This Week – Let’s Get Cooking! 🔥
After a long school day, kids need a place to create, experiment, and have FUN—and that’s exactly what happens in our afterschool baking and cooking classes. But here’s the secret: this is about so much more than just making food.
🌟 They’ll pick up math & science without even realizing it.
🌟 They’ll negotiate who stirs first (life skills at work!).
🌟 They’ll build confidence, kindness, and teamwork—because cooking brings people together.
👩‍🍳 Monday – Baking (4:00-5:30) | Ages 7-12
🍽️ Tuesday – Cooking (5:00-6:30) | Ages 7-12
🥄 Wednesday – Cooking (4:00-5:30) | Teens
🍕 Thursday – Cooking (4:00-5:30) | Ages 7-12
There’s still time to join the fun. Let’s get those hands messy and those skills sharpened. Your kid’s next favorite thing might just be in the kitchen.
🔗 Sign up here: https://www.gatherculinary.com/after-school

Oil & water don't mix... until they do.
Ever notice how the best conversations - kind of like the best things in cooking - are often made from contrasting elements? Sweet/acidic, smooth/bold. I wrote about the surprising way contast brings us together.
Just like a vinaigrette needs an emulsifier; conversation is what binds us, even when we see the world differently. And you'll get 2 delicous recipes....
Curious? Take a peek at my newsletter. https://www.gatherculinary.com/so/c5PKJzNuN If you love it, let me know and I'll make sure you get the next one.

At The Gather Table Curiosity+Creativity+Confidence+Calm+Connection UPCOMING CLASSES The Cookie Jar (Kids - Tuesday, 9-12): Classic cookies, including Salted Chocolate Chip—because salt makes sweetness shine. The Plant-Forward Table (Kids - Thursday, 9-12): Creative, plant-based dishes—and maybe even a batch of Miso Apple Crumble. Afterschool Classes begin Febru...

World Sound Healing Day: Join Me Live on Insight Timer + Private Sessions Launch! https://wix.to/vQOIx17

Exciting summer news! As a culinary educator and certified mindfulness instructor, I'm thrilled to announce our summer lineup of programs that nurture both practical skills and emotional well-being.
Join us for our signature cooking camps where young chefs build kitchen confidence and creativity. And this year, I'm especially excited to introduce "Mind & Kind: Mindful Skills, Kind Hearts" - a unique five-day program that gives children tools for navigating today's world with confidence and calm.
This new program weaves together mindful movement, creative projects (like nature mandalas and calm jars), gentle cooking experiences, sound exploration, and so much more. It's all designed to help children develop practical strategies for managing stress, understanding emotions, and building lasting confidence.
Ready to give your child a summer of growth and discovery? Let's connect about which program might be the perfect fit! https://www.gatherculinary.com/camp

Join Melanie Underwood on Insight Timer Live. Mindful Baking: The Twelve Days of Cookies starts on 01/12/2024 09:30 am Celebrate the season with “The Twelve Days of Cookies,” a journey into the benefits of mindful baking. Each day, we’ll bake a different holiday cookie, discovering how the act of baking can bring calm, focus, and joy. Through mindful baking, we’ll explore how using our senses—mixing, shapi...

Tips for a less wasteful Thanksgiving:
1. Use a Portion Calculator
Estimate how much food you need per person based on typical serving sizes:
Turkey: 1 to 1.5 pounds per person (including bones)
Stuffing: ½ cup per person
Mashed Potatoes: 1 cup per person
Vegetables: ¾ cup per person
Dessert: 1 slice of pie per person
Pro Tip: Slightly under-prepare for side dishes if you know your guests are light eaters or will focus on the main course.

2. Know Your Crowd’s Preferences
Poll your guests ahead of time to find out their favorites. Focus your energy on crowd-pleasers and skip the dishes no one raves about.
Pro Tip: Create a balance—if you’re hosting vegetarians, prioritize hearty veggie dishes like roasted squash or a lentil loaf.

3. Plan for Leftovers Intentionally
If you want leftovers, cook slightly more versatile dishes like turkey and mashed potatoes, which can be repurposed easily.
Pro Tip: If you don’t want leftovers, plan to send food home with guests. Stock up on reusable or compostable containers in advance.

4. Scale Back on Variety
Instead of offering 4-5 sides, choose 2-3 that complement each other well and won’t overwhelm the table. Quality over quantity!
Pro Tip: A simple green salad or roasted veggies can round out the meal without being over-complicated.

5. Use Versatile Ingredients
Focus on ingredients that work across multiple dishes. For example:
Bread for stuffing can also make breadcrumbs or bread pudding.
Extra herbs can garnish the turkey, flavor the gravy, and brighten up a salad.

6. Avoid Over-Buying Perishables
Stick to a detailed shopping list, especially for fresh produce that spoils quickly.
Pro Tip: If you need small amounts of spices or specialty items, check bulk bins or borrow from friends/neighbors.

7. Prep Dishes Ahead
Preparing dishes ahead (like pie crusts, cranberry sauce, or stuffing mix) ensures you can measure portions more accurately and avoid mid-week panic buying.
Pro Tip: Label your prepped items with cooking times to streamline the big day.