The holidays are just around the corner and Boothbay-Wiscasset Regional Adult Education is excited to offer four popular cooking classes in October to tempt the taste buds and perhaps inspire gifts from the kitchen. 

Imagine serving Autumn Scones for an easy Thanksgiving breakfast, and later, how about 13 Types of Yeast Rolls alongside the turkey and trimmings? Christmas morning will be extra special with Hand Rolled New York Bagels. For a fun New Year’s Eve, show off the tricks of Wok & Cleaver Bootcamp. 

“Cooking classes are perennial favorites among our enrichment offerings, and four of our most beloved teachers return in October to share their culinary creativity,” Director Raye Leonard said. 

Jeff Mao will teach Hand Rolled New York Bagels from 5 to 8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 20, at Boothbay Region Elementary School. According to Chef Mao, “In this hands-on experience, you’ll craft your own bagel dough from scratch, knead it to perfection, and master the art of hand-rolling. As the dough transforms into those chewy, golden rings, I will guide you through the traditional boiling and baking process –the very same steps that make Brooklyn bagels legendary. “All ingredients, materials, equipment and recipes will be provided. This class will be held in Boothbay again on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.

In Wiscasset the same night, Chris Toy brings Wok & Cleaver Bootcamp to the middle high school from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20. Master the art of stir-frying, create restaurant-quality roasted dishes, and achieve perfectly steamed rice, all with the incredible versatility of a Chinese wok. In this hands-on bootcamp, you will learn Chef Toy’s secrets to seasoning your wok for success; cleaver wisdom; stir-fry sensations, and beyond the stir-fry. Each participant receives a curated kit valued at $230 that includes an iron wok, long-handled wok spatula, carbon steel cleaver, honing steel, sustainable wooden cutting board, and one of Chef Toy's six cookbooks. This class will also be held in Wiscasset on Wednesday. April 29, 2026.

Bring containers to take home samples from Deb Arter’s 13 Types of Yeast Rolls, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at Boothbay Region Elementary School. In this one-night class, participants learn how to mix, knead, proof, and shape yeast dough into both savory and sweet treats, including cloverleaf rolls, butter crescents, cinnamon swirls, tea rings, caramel pecan rolls and whole-wheat buns, as well as an economical savory braid that comes together quickly. Various yeast bread tricks will be shared and discussed. Everyone will go home with a basket of yummy warm treats, as well as dough to bake at home. This class will also be held on Monday, Nov. 17, at Wiscasset Middle High School.

 Arter returns with Autumn Scones, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, at Wiscasset Middle High School. In this three-hour class, participants will make Harvest Pumpkin Scones, Double Ginger Scones, Savoy Hotel Classic Scones, Maple Bacon Scones, and Cranberry Orange scones. All ingredients are provided, as well as instruction. Be sure and bring a container to take home samples. This class will also be held on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at Boothbay Region Elementary School. 

Additional October classes include, Pediatric First Aid on Oct. 23, Goat Milk Soap Making on Oct. 30, both at Wiscasset Middle High School, and Natural Meditation, beginning Oct. 14 and Fun with Feng Shui, beginning Oct. 29, at Boothbay Region High School.

Please call Director Raye Leonard at 207-315-5651 to register. Boothbay-Wiscasset Regional Adult Education offers high school completion, college preparation, English language learning, workforce training, and enrichment programs to the communities of Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Wiscasset, and nearby towns. For more information, email rleonard@aos98schools.org or visit boothbayae.maineadulted.org.