Kitchen Science Alaska Tour

Skagway is known as the “Garden City of Alaska” with nutrient-rich soil, a temperate climate, plenty of rain, and long summer days that have given Skagway gardens a bounty of beauty. On the corner of 7th & Broadway, the garden of the Alaska House restaurant grows cabbage, swiss char, rhubarb, nasturtiums, herbs, and more. Learn how to smoke Alaskan halibut or salmon, how the sun and temperature affect greens grown in our Northern Garden, and peek into making sourdough bread as part of the Alaska food story.

Sitting atop the notorious Gold Rush era “Paradise Alley” learn food preservation technologies from the Gold Rush like smoking salmon are still used today. Gain traditional and modern insights for cooking and preparing food that is easy to apply in your own kitchen - an artful blend of the old and new.

Finally enjoy a snack of smoked fish, vegetables from the garden, sourdough bread, and finish up by learning how to make (and eating) homemade ice cream! This unique and personal experience will give you the skills to bring your Alaskan food favorites home while creating memories of life in the Last Frontier!

Kitchen Science Alaska Outline:

A 10-minute city bus tour that focuses on the history of food during the Gold Rush
Transport to Olivia’s Bistro & Bar at the Historic Skagway Inn’s kitchen garden (tour venue)
Tour the organic garden to study soil preparation, moisture, temperature, and daylight
Review the secrets of the traditional preservation process of fish smoking
Handout with recipes, resources, and background information on food preparation
Red cabbage pH experiment to determine the relative acidity of various foods we consume
Learn knife skills including the Native Alaskan ulu knife
Tips on sourdough bread making and its importance during the Gold Rush
Finally, enjoy a snack of smoked fish atop fresh baked sourdough bread
Learn to make (and taste) small-batch ice cream using garden herbs and household items
Return to the dock via bus or walk on your own through downtown