Our friends at The Uncommon Café, 477 Powell Street, have a workshop lined up this August that will help preserve some of your summer bounty. On August 8th, Valentine Kitamura owner of Tartine Maple will lead a class at The Uncommon Café. If you don’t know this space already, it is great little café and commissary located across the street from Oppenheimer Park. In this summer workshop, Valentine will show you how to make some delish preserves while also teaching you some basic preserving techniques. Some of what you’d be making in this upcoming class include Apple & Jalapeno Jelly, Vodka Drunken Cherries, Salsa and Canned Peaches. Did we mention these folks know how to do workshops? While learning about preserving, sip on a glass of wine during the class along with a snack or two. You will go home a 4 oz jar size of each item made and printed recipe cards. The cost of this class is also $65 per person. You can book your spot online via Eventbrite. If you haven’t already checked out their classes, we encourage to pop down and give them a try.
Workshop: Preserving The Summer Bounty August 8, 2018
25 Jul
Valentine Day Activities Happening Around East Vancouver
7 Feb
OK I know many of you say it’s just a day on the calendar, and well to some extent, we have to agree. But it CAN be a day you show someone they hold a special place in your life. It doesn’t need to be romantic. It can be a dear friend, a senior living alone, a pet, the dog walker, your favourite teacher. Honestly, who doesn’t like to feel special and know that someone was thinking about them? With that in mind, we are going to set a few things that are happening that you can or cannot participate in that is happening in and around Valentine’s in East Vancouver for big kids and little ones.
Hearts Workshop – Britannia Community Centre – February 10th
A Hearts Workshop is happening this Saturday at Britannia Community Centre from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Express your love with a myriad of collage, colour and sparkle options in this hands-on workshop. Make a gift for someone special, or how about love bombing your neighbourhood? All materials are supplied and all ages are welcome.
Valentine’s Kids Crafts – River District Neighbourhood Centre – February 11th
If you have kids looking to make some handmade crafts for Valentine’s, then River District has the set up for you this Sunday, February 11th. They will be hosting a Valentine’s Kids Craft session from 2:30 – 4:30 pm this Sunday, February 11th. This is a free event, everyone welcome, but parent participation is requested.
Storm Crow Tavern – Speed Gaming – February 14th
If you are single this Valentine’s Day and love games, we love this event at Storm Crow Tavern. It’s play-tonic Speed Gaming. What that means is for a $15 ticket you get to play a series of quick 10 minute games with a new person every 10 minutes. This event is open to all ages, all genders and orientations. Event kicks off at 7:00 pm and runs till 10:00 pm. To get your ticket, visit Eventbrite.
Federico’s Supper Club – Love To Share – February 14th
If you are looking to splurge, check out the 4 course dinner at Federico’s Supper Club on February 14th. Along with dinner, you have an evening of live music and dancing. Cost is $100 per person. To make your reservation contact Federico’s Supper Club.
Valentine’s Day Cooking Demo & Dinner – The Uncommon Café – February 10th & 14th
The Uncommon Café in Railtown will be hosting a couples only cooking class & demo. Having said this, they mean in pairs, so that pair could be 2 best friends, mom and daughter, father and son. Come learn how to make a great French meal, then enjoy the meal prepared during the demo with a glass of wine. Cost is $85 per person or $170 per couple. You can purchase tickets for the dinners through Eventbrite.
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Some Delish Cooking Classes Coming In 2018
27 Dec
A New Year is upon us. Who hasn’t made a resolution to learn something new. We try and kick our cooking skills up a notch. Thus love spending time at cooking classes learning new dishes especially this time of year when it’s cold outside. We’ve put together a selection of upcoming classes whether you are a beginner or seasoned cook, we are sure you can take away something from these classes to do at home.
French Gastronomy Series: East Country Pâtés – Uncommon Cafe – January 24, 2018
Valentine of Tartine Maple introduces a cooking class series that will take you on a culinary tour of France. Each class in the series brings you food from a different region of France. While learning about culinary and cultural facts, Valentine will prepare a main dish and sides typical of the chosen region. The first class in this series begins January 24th entitled French Gastronomy Series: East Country Pates. This class will focus on East “Terroir”. You will learn to make:
- Chicken Liver Mousse: The easiest pate.
- “Terrine Campagnard”. A rich meat pâté, delicious served for appetizer with bread and pickles.
- Pâté en Croûte: the richness of a warm porc and poultry pâté cooked in puff pastry.
After the class, you get to sit in the restaurant and enjoy the food with a glass of wine. For $65, you get a cooking class, great meal and bit of a culinary tour. To register, visit Eventbrite.
The Raspberry Trio – Gourmet Warehouse – February 4, 2018
Chef Steven Hodge, Owner/Chef of West Vancouver’s “Temper Pastry & Chocolate” hosts this demonstration class. You will learn three different techniques to use raspberries in a dessert to create some amazing dishes including:
- Light raspberry mousse
- Raspberry gelee
- Dark chocolate sponge
- Raspberry spherification
After class, everyone has the opportunity to shop in store at Gourmet Warehouse with a 10% discount on items purchased the day of your class. Cost of the class is $79. To register, visit Gourmet Warehouse.
Thai Home Cooking – Gourmet Warehouse – March 18, 2018
In this demonstration class, you will learn classic Thai cooking techniques and get to know some staple Thai ingredients including how to buy, use and store them. You will learn to make the following dishes:
- Coconut Galangal chicken soup
- Corn Cucumber salad with salted duck eggs
- Eggplant & pork stir-fry with Thai basil
- Red curry chicken with kabocha squash
After class, everyone has the opportunity to shop in store with a 10% discount on items purchased the day of your class. Cost of the class is $79. To register, visit Gourmet Warehouse.
Bon appetit!
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What Is Christmas Without Cookies?
20 Nov
One of our favourite parts of Christmas is the cookies, whether, eating, making or baking. To us, Christmas would not be complete without cookies. Not only do they taste great, look beautiful, but they also make a great gift. For those that don’t have much experience with baking, we invite you to check out some upcoming cookie baking classes being offered by The Uncommon Cafe. They are offering a Decorate & Bake class on two dates. First up is Sunday, December 3rd at 1:00 pm where you can spend the afternoon baking or December 13th at 6:00 pm. Cost is $45 for adults and $5 for kids. Now on the other hand, if you want to get a group of friends together to bake and do a cookie swap, but don’t have the space, The Uncommon Café has the space, supplies and happy to accommodate. Contact them directly for more information.
Now if you wish to teach your kids some baking skills, we’ve recently learnt about a great little spot on Fraser Street, The Bittersweet Kitchen. They have 2 Kids Holiday Baking Classes coming up this December where kids learn to bake from scratch. One class is being offered on December 16th and this one is all about the cookies, making and decorating. The second class being offered on December 17th teaches kids how to make homemade granola and cinnamon buns. The classes are from 10:00 am to 11: 30 am and cost $40 per child.
Now if you don’t bake, or like to might not have the time to do all that you want, in East Van we are fortunate to have an array of great bakeries that will be sure to help you stock up a few favourites including Fratelli Bakery, Blackrook Bakehouse, Breka Bakery and Italia Bakery. We are fans of Brekka Bakery for the German slant on their baking. If it’s gluten free you are after, East Village Bakery and the Gluten Free Epicurean and if you are seeking vegan baking, check out Fairy Cakes on Fraser Street. Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t Uprising Breads off Commercial at Venables. These are just a few local favourites that can help make Christmas delish and festive.
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The Uncommon Café Hosts Delish Workshops This June
31 May
Our friends at The Uncommon Café, 477 Powell Street, have another great line up of classes this Spring. Whether you wish to brush up on your baking skills, canning skills or need a little help with that summer party, they’ve got you covered. Classes are led by Valentine Kitamura owner of Tartine Maple. Valentine was born and raised in France and is a chef that has worked in hotels in Paris, Singapore, New Orleans and Toronto. She now works with The Uncommon Café, a commissary and café and regularly hosts classes. We’ve set out below their next series of classes which we expect will be delicious and fun.
Cooking Class: Brioche Making – June 7th 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Valentine will teach you how to make Brioche. Once you have the basic dough mastered, she will teach you how to make a Basic Brioche Loaf, Braided Brioche, Brioche Cinnamon Rolls and Brioche BBQ Pork Buns. What I love best about their classes, you get to enjoy a class of wine while brushing up on your kitchen skills. You can book your spot online through Eventbrite.
Preserve The Summer Bounty – June 11th 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Valentine will demonstrate the basics of canning and will teach you how to make Strawberry Jam, Pickled Beets & Carrots, Preserved Lemons and Rhubarb Sauce. While the demonstration happens, you get to sip on a glass of wine and you get to go home with items made in class. Again, registration is through Eventbrite.
Plan A Summer Party – Wednesday, June 21st 6:00 pm– 9:00 pm
This class will get you ready to host your next summer party. Recipes chosen are easy and perfect for a crowd. Some of the items you will be learning to make include:
o Gazpacho: Spanish cold tomato soup served with all the trimming; timeless and refreshing
o Focaccia: Italian flatbread; top it with anything and add to the side of all your party tables
o Beef Kofta Kebabs: Lebanese inspired dish pack with flavor! Served with Pitta bread and Tzatziki.
o Season’s Fruits Pana Cotta:
Once the food has been prepared, you will get to sit back and enjoy what’s been prepared with a glass of wine. To register, visit Eventbrite.
It just happens that they are currently offering 20% off all classes. Not sure how long that will last, but if you wish to take advantage of it while it’s offered, use the code SAVE20 when registering.
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The Uncommon Café Lines Up More Delish Cooking Classes
24 Apr
The Uncommon Café, 477 Powell Street, is hosting another delicious line of up cooking and baking classes this Spring. Valentine Kitamura owner of Tartine Maple will be leading the classes which will be held at two locations one of which is Trout Lake Community Centre. We’ve set out below a few of their upcoming classes. No baking or cooking experience? No worries, the recipes are easy, Valentine will walk you through it and make it fun.
Eclairs & Cream Puffs: Sunday, April 30th – Trout Lake Community Centre 2-4 pm
Valentine will teach you the basics of Choux pastry which will then be filled with cream and covered with a warm chocolate sauce. The eclairs are the long version that are filled with a bit of heaven. You are asked to bring containers so you can take some of your creations home, that is if you don’t eat them all. This class is $57.14 and runs from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Note, registration for this event is through the Trout Lake Community Centre. Hint: We’ve tasted Valentine’s cream puffs made with pistachio filling that is hands down one of the best things we’ve ever tasted. We guarantee it will impress your guests. Personally, we’d ask for that recipe.
Chocolate Lovers Cooking Class – May 7th – Trout Lake Community Centre 2-4 pm
If you love chocolate and want to learn how to make easy decadent desserts, than this class is for you. Whether you wish to impress guests, or that special someone or keep it all for yourself, no judgment. What you will learn to make in this class is:
- Chocolate Mousse
- Lava Cake
- Chocolate Truffles
- Chocolate Sauce to Drizzle
This is a demonstration cooking class after which you will get to enjoy your Lava Cake. The rest of the goodies you get to take home with you.
Mother’s Day Brunch & Bake – Sunday, May 14th – The Uncommon Café 11-2
You are invited to bring your mom to a fun food event in which Valentine will demonstrate some easy brunch recipes including:
- Beet Soup with Whipped Goat Cheese
- Mini Asparagus & Bacon Quiches
- Homemade Baba Ganoush and Tapenade with Toasted Tortillas
- Eclairs and Cream Puffs for dessert
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The Uncommon Café Offers Sweet Classes This February
23 Jan
With Valentine’s Day approaching, our friends at The Uncommon Café, 477 Powell Street, are hosting a few delicious classes this February and if location is an issue, we see one of their upcoming classes, Eclairs and Cream Puffs, will be held at the Trout Lake Community Centre on a Sunday afternoon. Valentine Kitamura owner of Tartine Maple will be leading the various classes they have lined up which include learning how to make eclairs and cream puffs, the secrets of working with chocolate or making that perfect Valentine’s Dinner. We invite you to check out their upcoming classes.
Eclairs and Cream Puff: Choux Pastry Basics – Sunday, February 5, 2017
Valentine will teach you the basics of the new pastry craze from France, Choux pastry pronounced “shoo.” If unfamiliar with the term, they are a family of dessert, big and small puffs, all made with the same dough base. In this class, you will learn to make:
- Profiteroles filled with vanilla whipped cream and covered with warm chocolate sauce
- Chouquettes with are a simple little puff simply covered with crunchy sugar bits
- Eclairs – the long version of the choux, filled with cream
Bring a container(s) so you can take some of your creations home. If you don’t have baking experience, no worries, it is not required. They assure us no fancy equipment is required either and you can easily make the items yourself at home. This class runs Sunday afternoon at Trout Lake Community Centre from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
Chocolate Lovers Class – Wednesday, February 8, 2017
If you love chocolate and want to learn how to make easy decadent desserts, than this class is for you. Whether you wish to impress guests, or that special someone this Valentine’s Day. What you will learn to make in this class is:
- Chocolate Mousse
- Lava Cake
- Chocolate Truffles
- Chocolate Sauce to Drizzle
This is a demonstration cooking class after which you will get to enjoy your Lava Cake along with a glass of sparking wine. The rest of the goodies you get to take home with you.
Valentine’s Couple Cooking Demo & Dinner – February 10, 2017 SOLD OUT
This class is designed for pairs, so whether that be a romantic couple, or maybe you want to bring someone on a first date, or you bring your mom or best friend, the field is wide open. During this demonstration class, Valentine will show you how to make some delish French dishes which we’ve set out below. After the demonstration, you get to sit down and enjoy the prepared meal in their restaurant with a glass of wine with candlelight if you wish. What you will learn to make includes:
Tarte flambée: Thin flatbread made right before your eyes, covered in onions, bacon and cream and cooked really high for extra crispiness. Served with green salad.
Aumoniere de Saumon: Salmon wrapped in purse shape phyllo dough served with a traditional white wine sauce
Lava cake: The ultimate dark chocolate indulgence served with vanilla ice cream.
Now if you like the idea of this class, but your prefer a different date, they are offering another class on February 14th, with a bit different menu. Price for the demonstration cooking classes are $75 per person. Keep an eye out for early registration offers which reduce the price by $10. To register, click on link above which takes you to the Eventbrite page for each class. Bon appetit.
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Learn Something New – Workshops Galore In 2017 In East Van
6 Jan
We are big fans of trying and learning something new. With the New Year, we tend not to make resolutions but instead sign up for a class or workshop. We also start each year with a list of new places to check out whether it be a new coffee shop, brewery or restaurant. In recent months, we’ve learned to make the perfect pie crust with the French sisters at The Pie Shoppe, we also learnt how to make some great new appetizers from Caren McSherry at Gourmet Warehouse and most recently learnt how to make chocolate at The Soap Dispensary of all places. We recently featured some DIY classes by The Wood Shop which are now sold out until March, so lots of you are looking for things to do/make yourselves. With that in mind, we’ve set out a variety of workshops/classes coming up this New Year in case you wish to take a stab at trying something new, or just brushing up on something you haven’t done in a while. There’s lots going on close to home. Here’s some of what we found in and around East Vancouver:
The great group at The Uncommon Café in Strathcona regularly has a great line up of classes whether cooking or baking. Their upcoming demonstration cooking classes will help you brush up on your cooking skills whilst enjoy a glass of wine. You do get to try everything that was made. Their next classes include:
Jan. 18: Stock, Soup & Stew – Learn To Do From Scratch
Feb. 5: Eclairs & Cream Puff – Choux Pastry Basics
Feb. 8: Chocolate Lover’s Ultimate Cooking Class
Feb. 14:Valentine’s Couple Cooking Demo & Dinner
Homestead Junction continually offers an array of classes all year long. Their aim is to bring self-sufficiency into the mainstream. So whether it’s making your own soap, yogurt, bread or foraging in the woods, they will have interesting classes at reasonable prices. Some of their upcoming classes include:
Jan. 10: Veggie Based Soaps 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Jan. 22: No-Knead Sourdough – Tartine Style 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Feb. 1: Sea Salt Soaps 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Feb. 9: Salve Making 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Mar. 4: Plant Foraging Walk 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
The French sisters know how to make the perfect pie crust and they are offering more workshops this January to teach you how to do the same. These are fun informal hands on classes where you can bring your questions. Their new location on Powell Street is a great bright space to work in and they have some great classes lined up including
Jan. 15: The Apple Pie 3:00 – 6:00 pm
Jan. 17: Gluten Free Pie Crust 3:00 – 6:00 pm
Jan. 24: Pastry Fundamentals 6:00 – 9:00 pm
If you prefer working with yarn, Baaad Anna’s in the Hastings Sunrise area regularly has a great line of classes on knitting, crocheting, spinning, felting and weaving. They, of course, also have a great selection of supplies and a wealth of knowledge to share. Some of their upcoming classes include:
Jan. 9: Beginner Knitting
Jan. 10: Beginner Knitting
Jan. 14: Intro to Loom Weaving 9:00 – 11:00 am
Jan. 15: Intro to Crocheting 2:00 – 4:30 pm
Interested in learning stand-up, improv or sketch comedy? You may wish to check out Instant Theatre on East Broadway. They regularly offer classes throughout the year and we are quite sure they offer you opportunity to test out your newly acquired skills.
Some other great spots for classes include Tiny Finery if you are interested in jewellery making, Vancouver Tool Library offers classes periodically for the do-it-yourself home projects, The Soap Dispensary has a variety of classes as does Bird On A Wire Creations if you are looking to be crafty. Note, some of these have not yet posted their offerings for 2017, but do check back with them further into the New Year.
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Delish Holiday Classes At The Uncommon Café This December
22 Nov
The Uncommon Café, 477 Powell Street, is hosting some delicious classes which will help you with your holiday entertaining and/or gift giving. Valentine Kitamura owner of Tartine Maple will be leading classes this December perfect for holiday entertaining . You can learn to make Eggnog Cream Puffs and Orange Cranberry Almond Shortbread just to name two of the goodies. These sounds so good, you may not want to gave them away as a gift, but stash away for yourself. We’ve set out below two of the upcoming classes and what they will cover.
Eclairs and Cream Puff Holiday Special – Saturday, December 10th 6-9 pm
Valentine will teach you the basics of Choux pastry and how to decorate them with cheer while, of course, sipping on Champagne. The fillings she will teach you will be sweet and savoury and include Candy Cane Eclairs, Eggnog Cream Puffs, Savory Gougeres (Cheese Puffs). You are asked to bring containers so you can take some of creations home, that is if you don’t eat them all. This class is $65 and runs from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. To register, visit Eventbrite. Register early and save $10.
Ultimate Holiday Baking Class With Champagne Wednesday, December 21st 6-9 pm
In this holiday baking class, Valentine is going to teach you how to make some amazing holiday treats which make great gifts. In this class you will learn to make Peppermint Meringue, Chocolate Truffles, Orange Cranberry Almond Shortbread and Coconut Macaroons dipped in chocolate. They all just happen to be gluten free. During the class, you will be served champagne and canapes. Now this is how one prepares for the holidays. Again, bring those containers so you can take your creations home. This class is $65 and runs from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. To register, visit Eventbrite. Register early and save $10.
No baking experience? No worries, the recipes are easy, Valentine will walk you through it and make it fun.
Bon appetit!
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Upgrade Your Thanksgiving: Learn To Make Brioche & Galette With The Uncommon Café September 28th
14 Sep
Our friends at The Uncommon Café, 477 Powell Street, have lined up another delish class this month. This one we guarantee will help you impress your guests this Thanksgiving. You are invited to learn how to make brioche and a beautiful galette to serve your guests. The class will be led by Valentine Kitamura owner of Tartine Maple. Valentine was born and raised in France and is a chef that has worked in hotels in Paris, Singapore, New Orleans and Toronto. She works with The Uncommon Café, a commissary and café located in the heart of Strathcona and we can personally attest to Valentine’s baking skills. You won’t be disappointed. On the evening of September 28th, Valentine will teach you the basics of brioche so you can make the best ever dinner rolls and a beautiful apple galette. It’s easier than pie honestly and tastes amazing. The class runs from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm and costs $50 per person (save $5 if you register one week early). If you decide to come with a small group, you can receive a discount of 20% off for groups of 3 or more. To register, visit Eventbrite.
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