Needham Community Education

Longer days and warmer weather call for a picnic, the perfect way to take a break from it all, enjoy nature, and improve your well-being. Picnics are also an opportunity (or an excuse) to gather with family and friends in a casual setting and enjoy a no-fuss meal under the sky. In our cooking class, you’ll learn to prepare picnic-friendly dishes inspired by the Eastern Mediterranean region, where the weather is mild and eating outdoors in a social setting is a big part of everyday life. We will focus on simple, tasty dishes that are easy to make, travel well, and can be eaten cold while sitting on a blanket, often without utensils. The menu will include pita bread, cauliflower and eggplant tahini, veggie stuffed pastry, lentil salad, and halvah cookies. This in-person class is a combination of demonstration and hands-on experience. We will spend the second part of the afternoon outdoors (if the weather permits), enjoying what we have prepared, engaging socially, and sharing more picnic dish ideas.