Nicolette Novak runs The Good Earth cooking school in the heart of Niagara's Twenty Valley region. The beautiful country setting, nestled in vineyards and fruit trees, would inspire anyone to get their hands dirty and cook up a storm. There is a big garden out back and Nicolette lives in the cottage her Grandmother lived in before her. If it sounds pastorally ideallic that’s because it is! The kitchen packed us a "Moveable Feast" of fried chicken, salads, cornbread, yummy local cheeses, and homemade cherry turnovers made from last years cherries that had been stashed in the freezer for the winter. If you have an overnight in the area book a class at the cooking school or have the kitchen pack you a lunch and head to balls falls for a picnic lunch with a bottle of wine from one of the vineyards. It was early in the season so the garden wasn't yet in full swing. The school hosts dinners at the table in the centre under a canopy. One of the visiting chefs was instructing a class while I was visiting. This is part of the alfresco kitchen in use during the summer. Click here to sign up for Christine's Food for Friendse-newsletter!