A new non-profit cooking school is in the works in Midcoast Maine.

Isabella Mastroianni, just back from Ireland, where she attended a “cookery” school — Ireland's version of a culinary school in the U.S. — is hoping to get the 501K business of teaching young students the fine art of cooking, and other life lessons, up and running by springtime.

The Ballymaloe Cookery School in Shannigary, Ireland, is set on an organic farm. Mastroianni attended the school in 2009 for a short course, and went back this year for a more intensive, three-month course with the idea of starting up her own cooking school somewhere in the U.S.

After looking in eight states for the perfect location, Mastroianni, from New Jersey, settled on Waldoboro.

The school, called Loaves and Fishers, will be located on a four-acre farm, with a 6,000-square-foot house and a large barn, on Spruce Lane, off Route 202.

Mastroianni said that now that she has the culinary training under her belt, she can start focusing on getting her school started. The next phase is raising a half million dollars. Half of that will go toward needed renovations and the other half toward operating costs for the first year.

The 220-year-old farmhouse has 3 ½ baths, a cavernous kitchen that will need a lot of work and equipment to make it suitable for teaching, and established vegetable gardens.

Operating costs will include room and board, and transportation to and from the school for students, ranging in age from 18 to 22.

According to Mastroianni, this will not be a venue for “at risk kids.” She said the program will bring kids from all walks of life together and she wants to be sure none pose a threat to others. “We don't have a behavioral help component set up for kids with mental and emotional problems.

“We’re looking for those young people who have an interest in cooking, but don’t have the financial support needed for a regular culinary school.”

Each of the four annual 12-week sessions will accommodate 12 students, with one of the sessions aimed specifically at hearing-impaired students. The other three will be for economically disadvantaged young people. “We really want to find kids who have economic needs,” Mastroianni said. “I'm only aware of one program in the U.S. that offers a secondary program in the culinary arts.”

The school will have a staff of three or four teachers, with more during the sessions for hearing-impaired students, as sign language skills will be required.

Students will be encouraged to become involved in the community. “We want to teach them to look around and do community service projects — give back to people,” Mastroianni said. “Things like shoveling walkways ­— just get an idea of that concept of volunteerism.”

Calling the school a non-profit culinary boot camp, Mastroianni said when students graduate the organization will help them find paid jobs and internships, and will provide ongoing support when needed.

“This school is meant to get kids started on their way,” she said. “We’ll teach the basics — knife skills, good hygiene and safety skills, and try to give them a broad comprehensive understanding of the basic cooking techniques to give them a leg up to continue on their journey.

Scholarships will be available. “This is a unique opportunity that will bring a lot of positive attention to Midcoast Maine and Waldoboro,” Mastroianni said. “There are a lot of small culinary schools out there, but none of them are offering full scholarships to qualified young people who have an economic hardship.”

A website and social media are in the works. Meanwhile, you can email info@loavesandfishers.org for more information, or to make a donation. All monetary donations are fully tax-deductible.

“It doesn’t take a lot for you to help,” Mastroianni said. “What we’re doing is really worthwhile and needed, and pretty unique. You don’t have to be able to give $1,000. Any little bit will help make a change in somebody’s life.”