How long is the workshop?

The class runs three hours and covers crust, filling, and canning technique.

Do I get to take anything home?

Yes — you leave with your own canned wild blueberry filling, recipes, and a canning guide.

Is this suitable for children?

Families with older children can participate, but the session involves hot liquids and pressure canning, so parental discretion is advised.

What is the cost and are members discounted?

Members attend free; non‑members pay $25. Membership details are available at www.mfbec.org.

Do I need to bring supplies?

Bring an apron if you want one; all other baking and canning supplies are provided.

How do I book a spot?

Reserve through the provided referral link; classes are limited to eight participants and often fill in peak season.

Hands-On Wild Blueberry Pie Workshop in Wiscasset, Maine

At the edge of Maine’s working coast, the Wild Blueberry Pie‑Baking Workshop in Wiscasset gives visitors a hands‑on lesson in what makes this place taste like summer. Held at a community teaching kitchen in Wiscasset, Maine, the three‑hour class walks you through flaky crusts, bubbling fillings, and the practice of canning so you can bring a jar of Maine summer home.

The course is led by Master Food Preserver Liz Gross and designed for home bakers who want practical technique rather than tricks. With room for just eight people, stations are set so every participant rolls dough, blind‑bakes when needed, measures filling by sight and feel, and seals lids on mason jars under guided pressure. Key features are the worksheet of recipes, the hands‑on rolling table, and the canning setup where wild blueberry filling is reduced to a spoonable shine. The workshop centers on wild lowbush blueberries—tiny, intensely flavored berries native to Maine—whose tang and concentrated sweetness define the filling and distinguish this pie from supermarket versions.

What makes this workshop a special part of the local scene is its link to Maine’s seasonal harvest rhythm. Wild blueberry season is celebrated across the region each summer; the class (held Sunday, August 9, 2026) distills that seasonal energy into a practical skill set you can repeat at home. Participants leave with their own canned filling, recipes, a canning guide, and a clear path to nurturing their own small‑batch preserves. It’s an intimate, tactile experience: measure by hand, feel the dough give, hear the jars ping as lids set.

This is not a spectator demonstration. Expect flour on the table and an instructor who corrects hand position and explains why high‑fat butter makes a flakier crust or how the wild berries’ natural pectin behaves differently than garden blueberries. The class also reinforces safe canning technique and food preservation best practices, which matters if you plan to bottle summer for winter.

Practical notes: the session is three hours and limited to eight seats—book early via the referral link. Members attend free; non‑members pay $25. Bring an apron if you like to keep your clothes clean; all other supplies are provided. Whether you’re a local curious about the coastal harvest or a traveler seeking a hands‑on taste of Maine, this workshop turns a simple slice of pie into a map of place and season.

The instructor, Liz Gross, emphasizes food safety, stamping each jar and demonstrating headspace and pressure canning in a clear, step‑by‑step way. This workshop is ideal for families with older children, food writers, and travelers who prefer active cultural experiences. Advance registration is essential; spaces are small and fill quickly during peak wild blueberry season. Bring curiosity, appetite, and sturdy containers.

About Maine Tasting Center

Maine Tasting Center is a tasting room and culinary classroom located in Wiscasset, Maine. The center showcases Maine products through guided tastings, hands-on workshops, and specialty classes led by recognized local experts. Offerings include short guided sessions like Flavors of Maine 101; focused tasting classes such as Ciders of Maine and Meads of Maine led by WSET Level 3 certified instructor Lynda Gaines; and immersive cultural classes with cookbook author and instructor Jeff Mao, including Chinese hot pot, dumplings, and mooncakes.

Hands-on workshops explore local ingredients and preservation techniques, including a garlic jelly and preservation class, and seasonal sessions like Eat the Invasive: A Green Crab Supper that pairs education on ecology with culinary practice led by John Painter. Collaborations with local producers such as Waldoberry Farm bring regional specialties like aronia berry tastings into the program.

Sessions vary in length and format, from 45–60 minute guided tastings to multi-hour classes and communal feasts. Participants taste Maine-made products—wild blueberries, artisanal cheese, craft ciders, meads, and more—while learning preparation methods, tasting techniques, and the stories behind local producers. After many tasting classes, attendees can enjoy complimentary pours or full pours as described in specific experiences.

Maine Tasting Center focuses on education, local sourcing, and expert-led experiences to introduce visitors to the flavors of Maine. The center operates in Wiscasset and offers public classes and special events that highlight regional foodways and craft beverages. Reservations are available for individuals and small groups; advance booking is recommended for specific seasonal classes and dates.