Friday, June 12, 2026

10am - 3pm

Open Fire Cooking Class + Picnic Lunch + Wine with Chef Nathan Brand + Kristin

Join Kristin and special guest chef Nathan Brand for this very special day at the Barn as we learn the ancient art of open-fire cookery! We will spend a little time in the kitchen, but mostly we will be around the fire learning to cook with wood, fire and flame the way it was meant to be—simple, instinctive, and deeply satisfying.

This class will focus on the fundamentals of open-fire cooking: managing heat zones, working with live flame and embers, and understanding how smoke, time, and temperature shape flavor. You’ll learn how to build and control a fire, choose the right surfaces and tools, and develop the confidence to cook without relying on precise measurements or modern equipment. It’s less about recipes and more about feel—reading the fire, trusting your senses, and creating food that’s bold, elemental, and unforgettable.

We will cook together over the open fire, during which we will nibble on plenty of snacks, and then enjoy a lunch of what we’ve prepared together during a picnic lunch under the big oak. Wine from La Poste is included (of course!)

A little bit about Nathan:

Nathan is a really neat, super talented and highly experienced chef and restaurateur who has called Johnson City, TN home since 2016. His culinary background was shaped in some exceptional kitchens, including The Willows Inn on Lummi Island, Luksus/Tørst in Brooklyn, Amass in Copenhagen, The Roosevelt and Dutch & Co. in Richmond, VA; and Five & Ten and The National in Athens, GA. He founded and recently sold Timber! in Johnson City, to focus on teaching cooking and crafting unique hospitality experiences across the Southeast.

* this class is mostly held outdoors around the open fire, please wear safe and comfortable shoes and light-layered clothing

* this is a rain or shine event, please dress accordingly

* please be aware of the Barn’s cancellation policies before signing up