School Chef Plans Gourmet Camping Trip

You may think  a school chef looks forward to a summer without cooking, but not Laura DeSantis. 

The nutrition director at Marblehead Community Public Charter School is excited about a gourmet camping trip she takes each year with a bunch of foodie friends to Campton, NH at the base of the Mad River.

"Most of them are chefs that I worked with in Boston," said DeSantis. "On one of the days, we all get together and cook a feast over the campfire. We've done things like Spanish tapas with homemade guacamole , seafood ceviche, paella and sangria. "

Not exactly hot dogs and toasted marshamallows for DeSantis.

"Last year, we celebrated a friend's anniversary and we cooked sirloins on the open fire with  lobster tails and  fois gras, goat cheese salad with grilled peaches. "

DeSantis said they haven't set this year's menu yet. "It seems like we try and out-do ourselves every year. Some enjoy eating and some enjoy cooking so it works out pretty well."

DeSantis will also spend time planning her November wedding. And she'll work at the charter school nurturing its garden. She uses the fresh vegetables for lunches in spring and fall. 

She encourages students to get into gardening over vacation.

"Summer is so short we should take advantage of the fresh air and sunshine," she said. "Start a garden or help your parents in the garden. It's very satisfying to nurture and watch things grow and then cook or make it into something."