The Gathering Project Recap

This weekend I headed to The Loft at 600 F in DC to host part of The Gathering Project. The theme of this event was hosting a summer dinner party, so of COURSE when Chelsea asked if I would be willing to teach a class, I was was all in! The Gathering Project brings people together to spend a day meeting new friends and learn how to do something new to improve their everyday lives. And that's just what we did on Saturday.

First, I can't say enough about The Loft at 600 F! Located directly across from the Verizon Center in a fun part of town I never see, The Loft building is beautiful (see below!). The space is available for rent and you can host events, parties or whatever! It has tons of floor space and lots of windows. Parking is literally the easiest I've ever encountered in DC. Not only did I parallel park twice, but I did a U turn in the middle of the street. Best street ever for this suburban-ite. Also, all hail the short Prius C!

Chelsea, the hostess, had lots of beverages and appetizers set up with some cute arrangements from Petals and Hedges in Round Hill, VA. And then we got started on the three workshops! First up was Melinda from Knead and Know who I have RAVED about! She's baked bread for photo shoots for me and is literally the coolest neighbor ever. Her workshop was all about making olive oil bread which we used to make focaccia. I made the bread from scratch again today and it was BEAUTIFUL. Please sign up to take her classes at her studio!!!

Next Rachel from RK Artwork taught us how to paint on ceramic plates. She's done collaborations with West Elm with lots of animal features. I have to admit I totally had artistic indecision for about ten minutes because I couldn't commit to what I wanted to paint!

After a quick dinner with the guests I set up with my intern, Emma for my Healthy Signature Summer Crumble workshop. Although I desperately wanted to share how to make pavlovas/ schaum tortes which are fat free, gluten free and so impressive looking, the location had no ovens! A crumble was the answer.

A crumble is not pretentious. It's not overwhelming. There's no 'wrong' way to do it. So for those who maybe have minimal cooking experience, I wanted to give a recipe that would not only translate into other seasons by changing the fruit and spices, but they could grow with the recipe. As time goes on, adding one or two other spices or zests, or perhaps pairing it with a specific ice cream. 

I set out lemon and orange zest, flax seed to grind, cinnamon, vanilla and three kinds of fruit for students to mix and match while going off of my basic recipe. It was interested to see what they came up with! So they could taste test, I pre made a big strawberry version with lemon zest and rosewater. I topped it off with a coconut cream that was pretty darn amazing if I do say so myself!

Stay tuned Monday for a tutorial here and see Instagram shots from the event.