BOOM Foods - herbs BOOM Food Workshops

BOOM Food

BOOM Food is a series of 1-hour workshops tucked away in a small intimate setting during Boom Festival where you can learn food-related skills from the food and farming experts in Charlotte! Gear up to learn, ask questions, meet new people, get silly, and take home something that leaves you feeling nourished ☺

Each class is designed to be small to facilitate a personal experience, so sign up quick as there is very limited space!

Tickets to these events must be purchased in advance. Tickets are available online until 12 hours before the event and at the INTERSECTION Box Office (1920 Commonwealth Ave.) up to 30 minutes before the event.

Buy BOOM Food Tickets »

Directions from Intersection:
Walk straight down Thomas St. towards Central Ave, take a right at the Pizza Peel and just past it you will see tables in the quaint grassy area with scattered trees just before Wells Fargo! You can’t miss it!

BOOM food
BOOM food location

Growing Food in Small Spaces with The Patio Farmer
Would you like to grow food in small spaces in a manageable capacity at home? In this class, Farmer Erin of The Patio Farmer will set you up for successful container gardening as she gives an overview of the essentials including spacing, planting, watering, feeding, and general maintenance. Come with questions, concerns, and stories to share! Prepare to get your hands a little dirty and leave with a new plant friend. The Patio Farmer is ready to help make your thumb and your space feel greener!

Class Cost: $20, includes all materials. Note taking materials are encouraged!
Class Time: Sunday 4/28 1-2pm

Erin Hostetler is a Charlotte native who has been farming for over 5 years. She currently operates a 1.6 acre homestead with her boyfriend in northwest Charlotte, growing food in raised beds, tending a small goat herd, backyard chickens and a healthy compost pile. She loves teaching people how to grow food in small spaces and is ready to meet you where you are in your practice of growing food.

The Patio Farmer website »

The Patio Farmer

Erin Hostetler


Fermentation Workshop with Chef John Schaal
Fermentation is one of the oldest food preparation techniques known to humans- and it's easy, safe, and fun! Join Chef John Schaal of Schaal Foods in a workshop exploring the wonders of our tiny yeast and bacterial friends, and the absolutely delicious results of teaming up with them. In the class we will sample a variety of foods that make use of fermentation while we make sauerkraut together. Everyone will take home their own quart of Sauerkraut and potentially a few other goodies as well.

“Fermenting foods is easily one of the most empowering experiences of my life, learning the art of fermentation has transformed how I relate to food, time, flavor, culture and creation.” – Chef John Schaal

Class Cost: $20, includes all materials and food.
Class Time: Sunday 4/28 2:30-3:30pm ** EVENT CANCELED **

John Schaal has been working as a personal chef and bone broth wholesaler here in Charlotte for the past five years but his love of food started long ago when he was a kid at his grandma's house. He loved the magic of the transformation of strange powders and liquids into what was probably the most delicious 2 things in the world: Chocolate chip cookie dough and Chocolate chip cookies, in that order. From there, he has continued to pursue that magic of transformation throughout his life where it has grown to include all sorts of cuisines, cooking styles, and techniques, including the growing of food, fermentation, food service and education. He is proud and happy to be part of the food community here in Charlotte, which has so much to offer and so much room to grow at the same time. Cheers!

John Schaal website »

John Schaal

Chef John Schaal


Eco-Friendly Vegan Meals with The Bulb and Nourish
Come hang out with food rescue pro Alisha Pruett and vegan chef Julia Simon as they show you some tips and tricks for creating and enjoying seasonal, carbon-neutral (or close to) eats and treats. Heavy snacks are included in the cost of your ticket! We'll also have some terra cotta pots and rescued seedlings to plant and paint and take home, so you can start your own homesteading operation. ☺

Class Cost: $20, includes all materials and food. All Profits go to The Bulb, a 501c3.
Class Time: Sunday 4/28 4-5pm

Alisha Pruett was born and raised in good ol' Greenville, South Carolina. She went to school at University of South Carolina, then transferred to Hunter College, City University of New York. There, she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Soon after, she began her career within homeless services and social work. Alisha has been working with non-profits, specifically homeless services for over 11 years. She has worked within major cities like Charlotte and New York, as well as several rural areas. She has a passion to cultivate community through service and fellowship around food, health, and creative outlets.

From art school to culinary classes at the Natural Gourmet Institute to teaching music production and a tiny passion for skydiving, Chef Julia Simon’s done many things. But in 2012, she co-founded Nourish, the first delivery service of its kind in Charlotte, NC. With the help of her team, she has encouraged a revolution of plant-based, progressive eaters in our region and continues to push the envelope of what good, nutritious food can be.

The Bulb Gallery website »

Nourish website »

Alisha Pruett

Alisha Pruett

Julia Simon

Chef Julia Simon