Brushwood Center presents maple inspired programming

At Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods, March is all about the maple syrup. Those maple trees that brightened up the landscape last fall are now offering up sweet maple syrup for all to enjoy. And you're invited to come and explore the many aspects of this sweet nectar.

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with local pastry chef and restaurateur Gale Gand as she leads a cooking demonstration with maple syrup. There will be two demonstrations, 1:15 and 2:15 p.m. Saturday, March 17. Each will include a taste testing. Afterward, you may purchase a Gale Gand cookbook to explore her recipes at home.

Cost is free to members and $5 for nonmembers. Registration is preferred. Call (847) 633-2424 or visit brushwoodcenter.org.

After the demo, catch a tour of the actual tapping of the maple trees just steps away. Lake County Forest Preserves will be leading maple syrup tapping tours on the hour. Cost is $6 and registration is available at LCFPD.org.

Gale Gand is a pastry chef and partner in the Michelin one-star restaurant Tru in Chicago. She was the host of Food Network's long running show "Sweet Dreams" and is the author of eight cook books.

Last year she finished a two-year pop-up at Spritzburger, a burger and craft soda joint, with The Hearty Boys, also of Food Network fame. Gand teaches cooking classes all over the country and is an artisanal soda pop maker, producing Gale's Root Beer, which is sold nationally. For information on Gand, visit www.galegand.com

Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods promotes the importance of nature for nurturing well-being, cultivating creativity and inspiring learning. Programs offered include art, photography, music, literature, film and more.

The Brushwood Center Gallery is open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 1-3 p.m. Sundays. For information, visit www.BrushwoodCenter.org.

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