Turn Thanksgiving Leftovers Into Something Delicious at Engine Room in Mystic

At a Glance

What: Second Helpings: A Chef’s Guide to Thanksgiving Leftovers
When: Tuesday, November 17, 2026
Time: 5:30–8 p.m.
Location: Engine Room, 14 Holmes Street, Mystic, CT 06355
Type: Hands-On Cooking Class
Hosted By: Yellow Farmhouse Education Center and Engine Room
Instructor: Chef Nick Teague of Engine Room
Age: 21 and older
Admission: $125
Featuring: Creative leftover recipes, professional cooking techniques, food storage and reheating tips
Included: Hands-on cooking instruction, a shared meal, and a seasonal cocktail
Contact: (860) 245-5119
Email: info@yellowfarmhouse.org
Registration: Click the Event Ticketing link at the bottom of this page

Event Description

Second Helpings: A Chef’s Guide to Thanksgiving Leftovers invites home cooks to discover what happens when yesterday’s holiday dinner becomes the starting point for something entirely new. On Tuesday, November 17, Yellow Farmhouse Education Center and Engine Room are teaming up for a hands-on cooking class led by Engine Room’s Chef Nick Teague in downtown Mystic.

From 5:30 to 8 p.m., participants will work at professional cooking stations, learning techniques to transform familiar Thanksgiving leftovers into dishes they’ll actually look forward to eating. The evening concludes with everyone gathering around the table to enjoy their creations, accompanied by a seasonal cocktail included with admission.

Give Those Thanksgiving Leftovers a Makeover

A refrigerator full of leftover turkey, vegetables, and holiday side dishes can present an interesting challenge. How many turkey sandwiches can one person eat before wanting something different?

Chef Nick Teague will help participants look beyond simply reheating what’s left from Thanksgiving dinner. Working side by side at cooking stations, guests will explore how professional chefs approach ingredients, develop flavors, and create dishes from food that’s already been prepared.

The class focuses on practical techniques rather than simply following a recipe. Participants will learn to think creatively about leftovers, treating them as ingredients with possibilities rather than reheats waiting to happen.

It’s a useful lesson to learn before Thanksgiving, when many households will soon find themselves with containers of turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and other holiday favorites.

Learn Skills You Can Use All Year

The evening goes beyond Thanksgiving recipes.

Chef Teague will share professional techniques that help home cooks make better use of ingredients, including how to build flavor through seasoning and how to approach familiar foods in new ways.

Proper food storage and reheating are also part of the class. Participants will learn how to handle holiday leftovers safely, helping preserve both the quality and enjoyment of their meals.

These skills can be useful throughout the year, whether you’re preparing meals for a busy household, trying to reduce food waste, or looking for new ideas in the kitchen.

The organizer has not announced a specific menu of dishes participants will prepare, leaving the evening’s culinary creations as part of the experience.

A Hands-On Evening at Engine Room

Located at 14 Holmes Street in downtown Mystic, Engine Room occupies a former marine engine building that reflects the village’s industrial and maritime history.

The restaurant is known for American comfort food, burgers, craft beer, and an extensive whiskey selection. Its exposed brick, industrial details, and lively dining room provide a distinctive setting for a cooking class.

For Second Helpings, the restaurant’s Chef Nick Teague will step into the role of instructor, working directly with participants as they prepare their dishes.

The class emphasizes hands-on learning, allowing guests to practice techniques themselves rather than simply watching a cooking demonstration.

After the cooking is complete, everyone will gather around the table to enjoy the food they’ve prepared together. A seasonal cocktail is included in the ticket price, adding a relaxed finish to the evening.

Cooking With Yellow Farmhouse Education Center

Yellow Farmhouse Education Center, located at Stone Acres Farm in Stonington, offers educational programs connecting food, agriculture, cooking, and the community.

Through workshops, classes, and other learning experiences, the organization encourages people to better understand where their food comes from and how thoughtful preparation can make the most of available ingredients.

Second Helpings brings that approach into a professional restaurant kitchen, combining practical culinary instruction with a familiar seasonal challenge.

The class is open to adults ages 21 and older and is designed for participants interested in developing their cooking skills, whether they’re experienced home cooks or simply looking for new ideas.

Registration and Event Details

Second Helpings: A Chef’s Guide to Thanksgiving Leftovers takes place Tuesday, November 17, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Engine Room, 14 Holmes Street in Mystic.

The evening includes hands-on instruction with Chef Nick Teague, professional cooking techniques, guidance on seasoning and food safety, a shared meal, and one seasonal cocktail.

Advance registration is available via the Event Ticketing link at the bottom of this page.

For questions, contact the organization at (860) 245-5119 or email info@yellowfarmhouse.org.

The class offers a timely opportunity to pick up a few new kitchen skills before the holiday leftovers begin filling the refrigerator.

Featured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people, location, or activities shown.