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October 8—October 10, 2026

Harvest Pie Intensive With Tara Bench

Harvest Pie Intensive With Tara Bench

$1,200.00
$1,200.00
Sale Sold out


October 8 - 11, 2026

Discover the uniquely curated brand of culinary and lifestyle learning offered at Eastman House Va., an enchanting home located in the heart of Appalachia. 

Join Tara "Teaspoon" Bench and Eastman House Owner, Nancy Wall Hopkins for: 

•Four In-Depth, Hands-On Pie Sessions covering a vast range of pies, crusts, fillings, decor, and entertaining tips.

•Opportunities to sample local chef-driven foods including: Welcome Reception; Irresistible Regional Lunch; and a Magical Appalachian Feast. 

•Exclusive Mountain Music and Market Experiences

Event Price: $1200, Limited to 14 Attendees. Shuttle Provided. 

NOTE: Intensive Starts with A Meet-and-Greet Reception on Thursday at 5:30, October 8 and Ends with a Magical Dinner on Saturday, October 10. Sunday, October 11, is Breakfast and Travel Day.

Lodging is Separate. Special Lodging Rate Available at The Bristol Hotel. Ask for Eastman House Workshop Rate.

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YOUR HOST

Tara Bench

Join Tara, a.k.a. Tara Teaspoon, creator of easy weeknight dinners, decadent desserts, and cooking tips. Tara is a TV Personality, two-time Cookbook Author, Culinary Producer and Content Creator, and Food Blogger with over 25 years in the industry. She is the former Food Editor at Martha Stewart Living and Food Director at Ladies' Home Journal. 

YOUR HOST

Nancy Wall Hopkins

Meet Nancy Hopkins—curator of culinary creativity. With over 30 years of expertise in the Food & Entertaining arena, Nancy brings a wealth of experience and passion to Eastman House events. She is the visionary for all events and draws on her illustrious career with Better Homes & Gardens magazine and brand. 

Full Schedule

THURSDAY - FRIDAY


Thursday

5:30 P.M.- 8:00 P.M. 

EASTMAN HOUSE

WELCOME RECEPTION; TARA MEET & GREET

Friday 

10:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. 

EASTMAN HOUSE CULINARY COTTAGE

SESSION ONE: A HANDS-ON DEEP DIVE INTO PIE CRUST, THE BASIS OF OUR BAKED CREATIONS. TWO METHODS (BY HAND AND FOOD PROCESSOR). QUICK CRUMB CRUST DEMO. 

12:00 P.M.- 1:30 P.M. 

EASTMAN HOUSE LAWN

TASTEMAKER BOX LUNCH 

1:30 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. 

EASTMAN HOUSE CULINARY COTTAGE

SESSION TWO: BLIND BAKE CRUSTS & CREAM FILLINGS. FILL PIES AND CHILL FOR DINNER. 

6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. 

SQUABBLE STATE HARD CIDER & SPIRITS 

MOUNTAIN VIEWS, MUSIC, AND HARVEST DINNER. 

FULL SCHEDULE

Saturday


10:00 A.M. - NOON 

EASTMAN HOUSE

Join us for an interactive culinary and wine experience with Emmy Award-winning Chef Missy and Thomas of French Magnolia. Roll up your sleeves and gather around the table as we prepare one of French Magnolia's signature dishes together. Chef Missy will guide you step-by-step through the art of creating her beloved Poisson en Papillote, paired with one of French cuisine's most elegant-and deceptively challenging-classic sauces, Beurre Blanc..

Thomas will lead a lively discussion on thoughtfully selected wine pairings, sharing stories and practical tips that will elevate your enjoyment of food and wine long after the afternoon is over. 

NOON - 1:00 P.M. 

We'll sit down together to savor the meal we've created, sharing conversation, laughter, and memories made around the table. Although Chef Missy & Thomas have spent decades teaching through television, hospitality, and private culinary experiences, they only occasionally offers public hands-on classes, making this a truly special occasion. Cut. Build. Fold. Whisk. Clink