Title: Awkward, Underwhelming--and Surprisingly Memorable
We signed up for Sharon's "Maine Appetizers" cooking class at Ambrosia in Bar Harbor expecting a fun, local, and authentic experience. Unfortunately, it was anything but. The menu included a nice variety of roast beef roll-ups with bacon, deviled eggs topped with cocktail shrimp, chickpea dip, caprese skewers which literally were tomato, cheese and a basil leaf, and a lobster salad made with just two ingredients--lobster and mayo--served on bread. Not exactly the showcase of Maine's culinary richness we were hoping for.
The class ended earlier than expected--lasting only 1.5 hours instead of the advertised 2. Portion sizes were quite small, and there was no inquiry about food allergies, which felt like a missed opportunity for inclusivity.
Sharon came across as genuine and quirky, which added a bit of charm to the experience. However, instruction was minimal, and when she did offer guidance, she publicly critiqued my son's cucumber slicing in a way that felt unnecessarily harsh and uncomfortable.
For someone hosting tourists in one of Maine's most visited destinations, Sharon might want to reconsider her approach--or her line of work.
That said, the experience gave us plenty to talk about afterward, and for better or worse, it's one we won't forget. Sometimes the most unexpected moments make the best stories. read more