This picture was probably taken at the Portland Press Herald-Evening Express Cooking School, a free week-long event that the newspaper sponsored at the Portland City Hall Auditorium. For example, instructional sessions in 1934 included: "Food for Health," "Food for Vitality," "Food for Energy," and "Food for Beauty."

Food baskets were given to early attendees. These food baskets contained locally made or sold food items as well as a copy of the Portland Evening Express.