Neapolitan Pizza-Making at Verde
Not every recipe requires ingredients as specific as tomatoes picked from the volcanic plains of Mount Vesuvius and mozzarella made with milk from Italy’s semiwild water buffalo. But authentic Neapolitan pizza calls for traditional cooking methods for a reason — deliciousness that can’t be replicated.
Verde, an acclaimed Neapolitan pizza restaurant, teaches groups the art of this method during its Neapolitan Pizza Making workshop. Groups tour the restaurant and learn the back story of the famous pizza as they chow down.
“The great thing about Verde is that it’s a family pizza restaurant,” said Masterton. “The father and son are the ones that conduct the experience. They explain the historical background of Neapolitan pizza in America and what makes it really good. Groups get to ask questions about the cooking process.”
The one-hour experience invites participants to feel fresh, fluffy dough; sample warm mozzarella; and taste at least three different pizza varieties. The laid-back demonstration includes wine or beer with homemade tiramisu for a finale.
Travel Back in Time with Ms. Masie at Reginald F. Lewis Museum
The hardships endured in Maryland’s Jim Crow era become more real to visitors during the Reginald F. Lewis Museum’s program Travel Back in Time With Ms. Masie. The dramatic interpretation follows Ms. Masie, an African-American who owns a hat store during segregation.
“Ms. Masie talks about what’s happening in her life at that moment by going through the things in her store and answering questions,” said Masterton. “It’s about living in Jim Crow Maryland and the plight of men and women during that time. She makes such an amazing connection with the people in the group with her.”
Participants listen to Baltimore’s jazz legends like Chick Webb while they see glimpses of Baltimore’s Pennsylvania Avenue during the 1950s. Ms. Masie explains the process of desegregating public education while leading groups through a re-created one-room schoolhouse.
Through stories, guests learn of prominent African-Americans striving for equal rights in Baltimore. The 75-minute experience can also feature an add-on question-and-answer session with the actor or an educational session on the museum’s hat collection. Groups can also combine the interpretive tour with lunch at the museum’s cafe.
The 82,000-square-foot museum doesn’t focus only on segregation; visitors also learn about the state’s African-American history and culture with interactive exhibits and an art gallery.
