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VIEW PHOTOS
VIEW PHOTOS

Host: Karen

Washington DC, United States

USD
$92-$185 per person

Maryland cooking lesson near DC with a fun local

Host offerings
  • House
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Karen

Karen is a delightful, almost-retired nutritionist with a warm laugh and a deep love for culinary arts and the effect of food on health! Karen hosts along with her husband Doug from their home in University Park, on the outskirts of Washington D.C. Karen has been cooking since she was a child - every Saturday, her mother would let Karen have the kitchen to herself - but not before she first quizzed Karen about "menus and nutrition" from those sections in the classic cookbook, Joy of Cooking! At 12, Karen made a brioche that was so delicious that her parents told her, "You're going to be the next Betty Crocker!" With a Masters in Education and a BS in food science Karen has been teaching food and wellness for over 35 years. She started working as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in the US Navy, then later migrated into businesses related to food and communications. She is an active member of Les Dames d'Escoffier International. Ask Karen about the competitions she entered, or about her research into inflammation and the immune boosting and inflammation reducing beverage she created for a Health Fair. She and her husband are delightful conversationalists, and between the two of them would be delighted to talk with you about traveling, food, art, birds, opera, ecology, history, classical music or where to hunt for salamanders. Her husband Doug is a retired professor from the University of Maryland. He has a keen interest in environmental issues and has traveled extensively "in the wilds and in wild searches for birds." They look forward to hosting guests at their home, which is a 30-min drive from DC or a 3-minute drive from the nearby Hyattsville Crossing Metro Station. If arriving by Metro, coordinate your arrival and they will happily pick you up.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (2-6 guests) Enjoy talking with Karen and Doug over an "aperitif of the day" and an amuse bouche in their living room before joining them at the dining table for a gourmet East Coast meal. Karen offers a three-course meal paired with wine or beer. Dessert is accompanied by limoncello, herbal tea or coffee. The menu may be adjusted for seasonal availability, allergies, and special requests. Karen can make your meal gluten free or vegetarian so feel free to let her know if you have any dietary restrictions. Enjoy your meal over laughter and conversation with this delightful couple.

Cooking experience: (1-6 guests) Begin with an "aperitif of the day" and some nibbles before joining Karen in the kitchen for your cooking demonstration. You'll discuss techniques used to prepare your meal, and learn about Maryland seafood, poultry and produce. Help Karen make a starter and main course before sitting down to enjoy the East Coast meal you cooked together. This is a cooking demonstration and not a hands-on cooking class. Since Karen is a registered dietitian (and member of Les Dames d'Escoffier), feel free to ask her questions about nutrition or food. Your meal includes a paired beverage (wine, beer or other) and concludes with a dessert accompanied by limoncello, herbal tea or coffee. Enjoy your meal with Karen and Doug at their dining table. Leave with a full stomach, a new local friend, and memories that last a lifetime.

Notes: Karen has a small, older hypoallergenic dog, a Bijon Frise. If you like dogs, offer Caesar a stomach rub and become friends. In addition to the East coast menu, Karen also offers an Italian and Mediterranean menu. When setting up your reservation, let her know if you're interested in one of the these instead. If you choose to take public transport, inform Karen so she or Doug can pick you up from the Hyattsville Crossing metro station.

Languages spoken: English

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Ginger beer, rum and lime cocktail or Savignon blanc (for wine drinkers) or beer
  • Johnny cakes with salmon roe or sautéed shrimp in garlic butter
  • Maryland rockfish ceviche with mango or Maryland cream of crab soup (winter)
  • Maryland clam linguine with shallots and white wine with blistered tomatoes on baby greens or Pomegranate brushed organic chicken with stone ground cornbread and green beans
  • Whipped persimmons and cream foam with a thimble of flourless chocolate cake
  • Limoncello, herbal tea or coffee
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Karen

$92-$185 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • No waiting! Booking confirmed instantly
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $100 $92
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $185 $116 $108
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $100 $92
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $185 $116 $108
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:00pm-3:00pm 6:00pm-9:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-3:00pm 4:30pm-8:30pm

Meet Karen

Karen is a delightful, almost-retired nutritionist with a warm laugh and a deep love for culinary arts and the effect of food on health! Karen hosts along with her husband Doug from their home in University Park, on the outskirts of Washington D.C. Karen has been cooking since she was a child - every Saturday, her mother would let Karen have the kitchen to herself - but not before she first quizzed Karen about "menus and nutrition" from those sections in the classic cookbook, Joy of Cooking! At 12, Karen made a brioche that was so delicious that her parents told her, "You're going to be the next Betty Crocker!" With a Masters in Education and a BS in food science Karen has been teaching food and wellness for over 35 years. She started working as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in the US Navy, then later migrated into businesses related to food and communications. She is an active member of Les Dames d'Escoffier International. Ask Karen about the competitions she entered, or about her research into inflammation and the immune boosting and inflammation reducing beverage she created for a Health Fair. She and her husband are delightful conversationalists, and between the two of them would be delighted to talk with you about traveling, food, art, birds, opera, ecology, history, classical music or where to hunt for salamanders. Her husband Doug is a retired professor from the University of Maryland. He has a keen interest in environmental issues and has traveled extensively "in the wilds and in wild searches for birds." They look forward to hosting guests at their home, which is a 30-min drive from DC or a 3-minute drive from the nearby Hyattsville Crossing Metro Station. If arriving by Metro, coordinate your arrival and they will happily pick you up.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (2-6 guests) Enjoy talking with Karen and Doug over an "aperitif of the day" and an amuse bouche in their living room before joining them at the dining table for a gourmet East Coast meal. Karen offers a three-course meal paired with wine or beer. Dessert is accompanied by limoncello, herbal tea or coffee. The menu may be adjusted for seasonal availability, allergies, and special requests. Karen can make your meal gluten free or vegetarian so feel free to let her know if you have any dietary restrictions. Enjoy your meal over laughter and conversation with this delightful couple.

Cooking experience: (1-6 guests) Begin with an "aperitif of the day" and some nibbles before joining Karen in the kitchen for your cooking demonstration. You'll discuss techniques used to prepare your meal, and learn about Maryland seafood, poultry and produce. Help Karen make a starter and main course before sitting down to enjoy the East Coast meal you cooked together. This is a cooking demonstration and not a hands-on cooking class. Since Karen is a registered dietitian (and member of Les Dames d'Escoffier), feel free to ask her questions about nutrition or food. Your meal includes a paired beverage (wine, beer or other) and concludes with a dessert accompanied by limoncello, herbal tea or coffee. Enjoy your meal with Karen and Doug at their dining table. Leave with a full stomach, a new local friend, and memories that last a lifetime.

Notes: Karen has a small, older hypoallergenic dog, a Bijon Frise. If you like dogs, offer Caesar a stomach rub and become friends. In addition to the East coast menu, Karen also offers an Italian and Mediterranean menu. When setting up your reservation, let her know if you're interested in one of the these instead. If you choose to take public transport, inform Karen so she or Doug can pick you up from the Hyattsville Crossing metro station.

Languages spoken: English

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Ginger beer, rum and lime cocktail or Savignon blanc (for wine drinkers) or beer
  • Johnny cakes with salmon roe or sautéed shrimp in garlic butter
  • Maryland rockfish ceviche with mango or Maryland cream of crab soup (winter)
  • Maryland clam linguine with shallots and white wine with blistered tomatoes on baby greens or Pomegranate brushed organic chicken with stone ground cornbread and green beans
  • Whipped persimmons and cream foam with a thimble of flourless chocolate cake
  • Limoncello, herbal tea or coffee
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $100 $92
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $185 $116 $108
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $100 $92
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $185 $116 $108
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:00pm-3:00pm 6:00pm-9:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-3:00pm 4:30pm-8:30pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 3% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can’t make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host’s profile doesn’t work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host’s family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the “Notes” section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.