Friday, September 25, 2026, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
UMaine Extension at UMaine Regional Learning Center
75 Clearwater Drive, Suite 104, Falmouth, ME
Cost: $15 (registration is required)
Why attend?
There’s a lot to learn about safe food preparation and handling. If you don’t do it for a living, you may not be aware of all the special techniques involved in cooking for a large group of people.
It is scary to think about people getting sick from your meal, but it can happen. More than three-quarters of the outbreaks are blamed on food eaten outside the home.
While food-borne illness can be as mild as a stomachache, it can be much more serious and sometimes fatal.
Unsafe food can “spoil” your group’s reputation — and its finances. Don’t take a chance. Sign up for the “Cooking for Crowds” workshop. Learn to protect yourself and the people you feed.
What you will learn
Learn up-to-date methods for safely preparing, handling, and serving food for large group functions such as soup kitchens, church functions, food pantries, and community fundraisers.
Workshops cover the following food safety guidelines:
- Planning and Purchasing
- Storing Food Supplies
- Preparing Food
- Transporting, Storing and Serving Cooked Foods
- Handling Leftovers
Participants receive:
- Cooking for Crowds – A manual specifically designed for volunteer cooks;
- Certificate of Attendance;
- Posters; and
- Instant Read Thermometer.
Contact
- Kathy Savoie at email ksavoie@maine.edu.
If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Renée Whiting, renee.whiting@maine.edu or 207-581-8364 by September 15, 2026.