We knew that Alaska chef (and Alaska Dispatch contributor) Kirsten Dixon was resourceful -- she's always talking about things like tending her own bees, growing her own rhubarb, and keeping her own herb garden -- but a new cooking lodge based in Tutka Bay takes it to a whole new level.
Carl and Kirsten Dixon's Within the Wild family of Alaska lodges includes one in Tutka Bay, and that location has a cooking school associated with it. A press release from Within the Wild touts the lodge's new Homer retail location, but the real gem is the renovated cooking school, built on top of what was originally a WWII era ship.
From the press release:
Originally a World War II troop carrier, then a crabbing boat, the Widgeon II has been repurposed yet again into a cooking school. Located on a lagoon across from Tutka Bay Lodge, the boat was moored to shore during a high tide by the previous owner, who then built a two-story wooden structure onto the deck. With some added renovations by the Dixons, the Widgeon II is now a rustic outpost adapted for cooking classes, large enough for 12 guests per day, and special events.
The opening of a new cooking school generally isn't a newsworthy event, but the pictures demonstrate how unique and impressive the facility really is, given its humble foundation (pun intended). The nautical theme is prominent as well, with thick ropes lining the seats placed around the dining table, and an elaborate driftwood accent hanging over it.
For more information on the facilities and for reservations, click here. To see a preview of the kind of dishes that Dixon might help visiting guests prepare, visit Kirsten's blog page here.
Contact Ben Anderson at ben(at)alaskadispatch.com.