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The name says a lot. Nicolette Novak, the owner and dream-meister of the Good Earth Cooking School has been one of the early adopters and on the forefront of the farm to table movement in Niagara, a region renowned for its tender fruit and grape industry. As many people over the years have observed, “Nicolette is The Good Earth!”
“We have always embraced the concept of “slow food”. From our cooking demo classes, culinary events and catered affairs, to our winery and bistro, we keep things fresh, local and inspired.”
The Good Earth Cooking School is far more than a culinary school. There’s a beautiful summer patio and a warm winter dining room and to make the traveller’s life easier, there are take away picnic lunches to enjoy while exploring the back roads of beautiful Twenty Valley.
Nicolette’s team is exemplary. Her “food alchemist” Michael Pasto has tremendous street cred. She calls him ”our resident food gypsy” because his professional career has included stops in Toronto, Hong Kong, India, Rome , New York and traveling for a year with Robert Rainford of TV’s License to Grill .
Always in to food, his first experience preparing food was in the province of Campobasso in Italy. After his nonna “took care” of the chickens, 9-year-old Michael was put to work plucking and together they created his first real farm-to-table experience. And this is just a glimpse into his food life.
Then there’s the “Pit Boss” Mike McColl who worked at On the Twenty with Chef Michael Olson when his passion for fire took over. For 6 years he grilled and barbecued ‘on the road’ all across North America with that smokin’ chef Ted Reader sussing out the perfect spice rub, the perfect smoke ring or the wackiest side dish. Pastry Chef, Andrea McSpadden, was honoured as one of Ontario’s Top Hospitality Professionals Under 30.
Beyond the kitchens you’ll find the wine making team….Niagara native, winemaker Andréa (Dr. Dre) Glass; consulting winemaker Ron Wise who is officially the winemaker at Flat Rock Cellars and out in the vineyard is the ‘Grape Crusader’ Chris Andrewes.
Good Earth Cooking School is one of about 250 restaurants that usually celebrates Food Day but this year they are sadly unable to. Nonetheless, we at Food Day Canada would urge you to visit over the summer and autumn as it’s a tremendous asset to the Niagara Region.
Good Earth Cooking School
4556 Lincoln Ave
Beamsville, ON L0R 1B3
T: 905 563 7856
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