Tag Archives: food

Register now for kids’ Spring Break cooking classes at the Downtown Market

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , , , ,

 

By Downtown Market Grand Rapids

 

Spring break is nearly here and you know what that means — a lot of extra time for kids to get antsy, especially if you plan on staying home. No worries! The Downtown Market has the perfect recipe for keeping kids ages 7-11 engaged — take a trip around the world without leaving Grand Rapids!

 

KIDS SPRING BREAK GLOBETROTTERS

Doing a staycation this spring break? The Downtown Market can help! Spring break classes will take kids around the globe as they make foods such as Jamaican jerk chicken skewers, Asian egg rolls, Norwegian elk sliders and Madagascan marshmallows on the braai. For kids ages 7-11.

  • Tues., April 4, 10 am-12:30 pm — $50/child
  • Wed., April 5, 10 am-12:30 pm — $50/child
  • Thu., April 6, 10 am-12:30 pm — $50/child

KIDS SPRING BREAK ROADTRIPPERS

For the young domestic traveler, you’ll visit a few delicious U.S. destinations that are sure to expand kids’ culinary knowledge. Kids will cook up tasty Memphis barbecue, Chicago-style hot dogs and southwest veggie quesadillas. Not to be forgotten, the Floria orange sorbet will have your kids asking, “Are we there yet?” For kids ages 7-11.

  • Tues., April 4, 2:30-5 pm — $50/child
  • Wed., April 5, 2:30-5 pm — $50/child
  • Thu., April 6, 2:30-5 pm — $50/child

Click here for the complete April 2017 culinary calendar.

Kentwood 50: 16th Annual ‘Taste of Kentwood’ — Bigger, tastier than ever

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Upcoming Events, , , ,
By WKTV Staff

What tickles your tastebuds — Thai? Mexican? Barbecue?

This year, Taste of Kentwood will host more than 15 local restaurants on March 2 at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE.

There will be a variety of food including the above-mentioned perennial favorites, Thai, Mexican and barbecue — plus soups, sandwiches and other gastronomical delights. Sample delicious creations from Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Pepping’s South Kentwood, The Candied Yam, Celebration! Cinema South, Daddy Pete’s BBQ, Jet’s Pizza, On the Border, Beta Bars, Bloop Frozen Yogurt, Larues Kitchen & Catering, Taco Bob’s, Zoup! and Mosbyspopcorn.

“Taste of Kentwood is a great way to showcase the variety of restaurants we have in the community and a delicious and wonderful way to bring together our local community with our businesses,” said Mayor Stephen Kepley.

The event is open to the community. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at www.yourkprd.com. Two time slots are available, from 4:30-6 pm. and from 6:30-8 pm.

For questions, please contact City of Kentwood’s Park and Recreation Event Coordinator Laura Barbrick at barbrickl@ci.kentwood.mi.us or 616.656.5272.

Take an ‘awesomely autumn’ class at the Downtown Market this October

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Education, Entertainment, Food, Holidays, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Upcoming Events, , , , , , , ,

downtown market logo

 

Fall is just around the corner, and you know what that means: Time to celebrate the season with classes at the Downtown Market!

 

For the complete fall schedule, go here. To download a pdf of classes and events, go here. (There are classes for everyone — family, kids and adults.) Meanwhile, here are just a few highlights:

 

autumn nights in mediterranianAUTUMN NIGHTS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
Fri, October 14, 6p-8:30p • $65

The Mediterranean always offers bright flavors and healthy meals. You’ll master an olive tapenade, herb-fresh tabouli, chicken souvlaki, and a citrus semolina cake. Learn how to select authentic ingredients and how the right olive oil can add the finishing touches to your meal. Register here.

stews and brewsSTEWS & BREWS
Tue, October 18, 6p-8:30p • $65 (21+)

Pair some great beers while snacking on Beer Nuts and make a classic gumbo, a hearty meat and bean chili, sweet cornbread and chocolate stout brownies. Register here.

pumpkin patch cookingPUMPKIN PATCH COOKING

Fri, October 21, 6p-8:30p  • $55

Celebrate pumpkins in the most delicious ways! You will enjoy some fresh-roasted pumpkin hummus while creating pumpkin sage soup, roasted herb chicken with pumpkin polenta and festive pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. Register here.

boozy halloweenBOOOOOOOZY HALLOWEEN COCKTAIL PARTY

Tue, October 25, 6p-8:30p • $55

In this class, you will learn how to make cocktails along with an appetizer and dessert to host the spookiest Halloween cocktail party. Learn how to make Pumpkin Cauldron Rhum Punch, Apple Cider and Bourbon Spritzers, mini pumpkin cream soup, and a fall tiramisu. Register here.

Brewery Vivant’s 6th Annual Wood-Aged Beer Festival celebrates art of craft brewing

3-bottom, Beer, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Food, Upcoming Events, , , , ,
brewery vivant
Photo courtesy of Brewery Vivant
Brewery Vivant presents its 6th annual Wood-Aged Beer Festival (WABF) on Saturday, September 17th, 2016. Showcasing over 20 wood and wild beers, Brewery Vivant will take over its parking lot once again with tents, taps and two sessions. Beers range from light to dark, sweet to sour, and rest in wood from bourbon barrels, wine barrels, scotch barrels, cognac foeders and more.
This year’s annual autumn event not only celebrates the art of wood-aging beer but also serves to celebrate this past summer’s launch of the brewery’s Plein de Vie series.
 brewery vivant (2)

“It’s been so exciting to bring some of these wood-aged beers out into the Michigan and Chicagoland markets,” said Kate Avery, Abbess of Beer and Director of Sales & Marketing. “This festival is like a capstone to our launch and also it serves as a testing ground for what is to come in the series. Get your first sips here. Maybe get your only sips here!”

Several Plein de Vie beers got their start at WABFs of yore: Angelina, Habanango and most recently, Paris.

Brewery Vivant’s farmhouse tradition lends itself to exploring the complexities wood-aging beer. Since its very first year of production, the brewery siphoned off a few gallons here and there from batches of beer to experiment with wood aging. As the brewery grew in volume, so did the barrel program. Now in its sixth year, three 40-barrel wooden foeders, 240+ barrels, and three stainless wild fermentation tanks, the creativity brewing for this festival is boundless.

“Thinking up flavor profiles and the guiding the recipe from beer to barrel is part of the fun,” says Master of Wood, Brian Kuszynski, “Of course, drinking these wood-aged beers is the other part of the fun.”

brewery vivant funOf all the beer festivals in Michigan, WABF resonates with taste trippers, explorers and fans of community building. Recently voted “3rd Best Beer Festival” in West Michigan in a reader’s choice poll, Wood-Aged Beer Festival not only offers the unique beer tasting experience but also festival foods from the acclaimed Brewery Vivant kitchen.

The brewery will offer two identical sessions: Afternoon 12pm-3pm and Evening 5pm-8pm. Tickets are $35 and include 10 tasting tokens (good for food as well) and a collector’s tasting glass. Space is limited due to physical parking lot size and small-batch, rareness of beer. Get tickets at www.breweryvivant.com or WABF16.BrownPaperTickets.com.

Brewery Vivant is located in the East Hills neighborhood of Grand Rapids, in a renovated funeral chapel built in the early 1900s. Its staff of around 60 employees specialize in Belgian/French-inspired beers and fare in a unique setting.

Husband and wife partners Jason and Kris Spaulding opened the doors for business in December of 2010. Vivant beers are distributed throughout Michigan and the greater Chicago area. It’s the first commercial brewery in the nation to receive Silver LEED Certification from the USGBC. Additionally they are 100% renewable powered, a silver-level Bicycle Friendly Business, and are a certified B Corporation.

Beer the Change®!

Don’t miss Yassou! Grand Rapids Greek Cultural Festival Aug. 26-28

Beer, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Food, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Upcoming Events, , , , , , ,
yassou

Photo by Tim Motley

Food. Dance. Opa!

The smell of lemon, oregano and garlic fill the air as fresh meats are grilled over open flames and the sight of the pastry table proves to be more than anyone’s willpower could bear. From a great live band and dance demonstrations, to wine tastings and cooking classes, there is something for everyone at Yassou!

 

salad

The food

An assortment of freshly prepared authentic Greek food and pastries will tempt even the most stubborn palate. Great effort has been put into obtaining fresh, local ingredients wherever possible, from the eggplant in the Moussaka, to the tomatoes that go on your Gyros and in your salad.

 

Choose from appetizers, full meals, sandwiches and side items. And do not forget dessert — baklava is only the beginning. Menu items are available as complete meals or a la carte. Prices range from $5 for most a la carte items to $14 for most complete meals.

 

The dance

Besides irresistible Greek food, there will be plenty of Greek dancing, a very old tradition that has been documented by Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch and Lucian. Traditional Greek dancing has a primarily social function, bringing the community together at key points of the year, such as Easter, the grape harvest or patronal festivals; and at key points in the lives of individuals and families, like weddings.

MOTLEY CAT
Photo by Tim Motley

 

Holy Trinity’s youth dancers will don traditional Grecian dress and perform some of these spectacular dances. Then, when the time is right, join hands with members of the dancing circle and join in. Beginners are always welcome.

 

The wine (and beer)

Greece is one of the oldest wine producing regions in the world — evidence of wine production dates back more than 6,500 years. Since that time, wines have been shared and enjoyed not only in households, but in communal celebrations. And what cultural celebration would be complete without access to the local libations?

Here’s what’s happening and when

Friday, August 26, 2016: 3 -10 pm

  • Live music from open to close, The Levendes.

  • 4 pm:  Greek cooking class.

  • 5 pm: Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (12-17 y/o).

  • 6 pm:  Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (5-12 y/o).

  • 7 pm:  Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (12-17+).

  • 8:15 pm:  Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (18+).

  • 8:35 pm:  Dance lessons and open dancing for all!

  • 8:00 pm:  Children’s play area closes.

Saturday, August 27, 2016: 11 am – 10 pm

  • Live music from open to close, The Levendes.

  • 1:00 pm:  Greek cooking class.

  • 2:30 pm:  Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (12-17 y/o).

  • 4:00 pm:  Wine tasting.

  • 5:00 pm:  Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (12-17 y/o).

  • 6:00 pm:  Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (5-12 y/o).

  • 6:00 pm:  Greek cooking class.

  • 7:15 pm:  Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (12-17+).

  • 8:15 pm:  Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (18+).

  • 8:35 pm:  Dance lessons and open dancing for all!

  • 8:00 pm:  Children’s play area closes.

2016 Yassou Sponsorship - 1(1)

 

Sunday, August 28, 2016: 12-4 pm

  • No live band. DJ playing modern Greek music.

  • 2:00 Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (5-12 y/o).

  • 3:00 pm: Traditional Greek dance demonstrations (12-17 y/o).

 

OK, so you’ve been warned. The Yassou! Grand Rapids Greek Cultural Festival is always a crowd pleaser, and this year it’s happening Friday, Aug. 26 through Sunday, Aug. 28 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 330 Lakeside Dr. NE between Fulton and Michigan.

 

 

 

 

Detroit healing arts practitioner to share her wisdom in Grand Rapids

3-bottom, Community Health, Education, Food, , , , ,
Adela Nieves
Adela Nieves

As part of its Women of Color strategy, Our Kitchen Table is bringing some amazing women (and one man!) to Grand Rapids to educate and inspire through a series of events entitled Women of Color Cook, Eat and Talk. On August 11, Adela Nieves ADS, CCT, RMT, presents “One Bite at a Time: Food as Medicine.” OKT cooking coaches will start the event with a healthy-foods cooking demo and sampling.

 

“Take the time to nourish your body by learning some important guidelines for food grouping and combining for ailments such as arthritis, gout, sinus allergies, anxiety and hypertension,” Nieves says. “In this workshop we will share information that supports a strong digestive system and helps the body break down food easily, while also discussing simple and hearty meals. So fun!”

 

A traditional community health and healing arts practitioner, Nieves currently is studying to become a Naturopathic Doctor. She is deeply committed to integrative wellness approaches, practicing Acudetox (ear acupuncture), indigenous traditional medicine, cupping therapy, whole person natural care, and Reiki for individuals and groups struggling with addiction, PTSD, stress and trauma.

 

Nieves co-founded Homemade Healing, a small neighborhood wellness center in Southwest Detroit. There, she practices supporting those in their journeys to tell their own stories and define health, healing and wellness for themselves. “Homemade Healing is a collaborative space where we decide and practice what healing is for ourselves,” Nieves says. “We offer bodywork and energy work, natural health consultations, classes and shared space that prioritizes the local community.”

 

Her lecture will be from 6-8 pm, Thursday, Aug. 11, at Sherman Street Church, 1000 Sherman St. SE.

 

In February, the Women of Color Cook, Eat & Talk event featured, Lila Cabbil, president emeritus of the Rosa Parks Institute, and Barbara Roos, former GVSU film department head and ’60s civil rights activist, facilitated a dialogue  on white allies against racism. On May 12, Lottie V. Spady, Detroit food and media justice activist, taught about “Herbs from Your Garden as Medicine.” On May 21, Shane Bernardo, outreach coordinator for Detroit’s Earthworks Urban Farm, led a daylong Anti-racism Summit.

 

On November 10, Shakara Taylor, mother, returning generation farmer, educator, activist-scholar and doctorate student at Michigan State University Department of Community Sustainability, will speak about “Woman-ism and Agroecology: An Intersectional Praxis.”

 

Summertime is the perfect time to try new recipes at Downtown Market GR

3-bottom, Entertainment, Food, Going Local, Local Food, Upcoming Events, , , , , ,

downtown market

 

August is just around the corner… and it’s Downtown Market’s mission to introduce you to some refreshing new recipes. Whether you want to become more confident in the kitchen; have the desire to eat healthier, be greener, cook more; or simply want a new and fun activity for your next “date night” or “girls’ night out”, you’re sure to find something you love among all the fun classes and programs offered here.

 

Click here to download the full May-August Class Schedule. Learn more by going here.

 

adult ice cream and sorbetsADULT ICE CREAM AND SORBETS

Thursday, August 4, 6-8:30 pm – $40

 

Downtown Market GR teams up with Love’s Ice Cream to teach you all about what goes into making great ice cream while enjoying a few light snacks along the way. Must be 21 or older Register here.

 

summer bbq essentialsSUMMER BBQ ESSENTIALS

Tuesday, August 9, 6-8:30 pm – $55

 

Head outside and heat up the grill! You’ll learn to make a variety of marinades for grilled chicken, learn the perfect cooking technique for mouthwatering burgers, and create a light, refreshing coleslaw to put right on your burger. Then you’ll wrap it all up with a grilled pound cake with seasonal fruit. Register here.

 

hot nights in spanish rivieraHOT NIGHTS IN THE SPANISH RIVIERA

Wednesday, August 17, 6-8:30 pm – $65

Take a food journey to the Spanish Riviera with Spanish style grilled meats and seafood; baby octopus salad, sweet potato empanadas and torta Santiago (the classic Spanish almond cake). Register here.

 

intro to home cocktailingINTRO TO HOME COCKTAILING

Tuesday, August 30, 6-7:30 pm – $35

 

You’ll learn the top techniques and tools to become an expert at your own bar. Get hands-on experience in shaking (classic Margarita), stirring (traditional Manhattan) and muddling (seasonal smash) your way to a better home bar. Register here.

 

AND THERE IS SO MUCH MORE IN STORE…

Check out the August schedule here.

 

 

Living Like the Locals in Thailand

3-bottom, Education, Entertainment, Food, Local Faces, Travel, , , , ,

By Lynn Strough

Travelynn Tales

 

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This is the fifth installment chronicling the adventures of Lynn Strough, a local artist and writer who’s been traveling the world since November 2014. Lynn’s travels have (so far) taken her to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, Slovenia, Croatia, Ireland, England, France, Italy… and I’m sure we’re forgetting a few destinations. To learn more about her journey, go here.

 

 

Udonthani, like most of Thailand, is a blend of old and new, low tech and high tech, and

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local market and super market.

 

What’s it like to live like a local in Thailand? I was lucky enough to find out, thanks to a connection made by another Travel Angel, my friend Lee in California, who introduced me via email to what turned out to be two more Travel Angels, Paul and Joi. They live in Udonthani, which is a fairly big city in the northeast of Thailand, however they live in the outskirts, so in effect, more like a village, with quick access to the city center.

 

They welcomed me with open arms, and I settled into village life for a week, which included meeting Joi’s mother, who lives with them, as well as many of the other nearby relatives and neighbors.

 

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The days started with Joi rising about 5:30 am to cook rice for alms for the monks. At about 6:20 am the three of us would join other neighbors out on the street to give out rice, fruit, and packets of coffee to the monks who pass by and chant us a blessing.

 

After our breakfast of scrambled eggs, corn on the cob, and cool, sweet mint-green guava juice, we head to the market, where I see a plethora of interesting fruits, vegetables, fish, and piles of my nemesis, mushrooms, as well as things I’m not sure how to categorize. Longans (I call them the little round eyeball fruit), tamarind, sweet juicy mangos, dragon fruit, they’re all here for pennies.

 

 

[huge_it_slider id=”38″]

 

 

The market  is even busier in the evenings. Lots of people stop by to pick up their dinner, assorted pre-made meals in little clear plastic baggies, curries and tofu balls floating in brown liquid – their version of fast food. Joi knew just how to pick the sweetest, juiciest fruit, and later, made mango with coconut sticky rice for dessert, pure ambrosia! And there are always lottery tickets for sale if you want to try your luck.

 

When Paul mentioned he gets his eye drops in Thailand for a fraction of what they cost in the U.S., I told him I pay $40 a pill for my migraine prescription and he immediately insisted that they take me to see their doctor at the local hospital to find out if I could buy some there. It’s about $10-15 to see the doctor to write the prescription, and yes, they have my rx for $5 a tablet! They even gave me my own medical card, even though I’m just a visitor (I said Ms, but they added an R).

 

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Paul ordered 100, enough to last me a year. It was a big bite out of my travel budget, but is such a relief to not have to worry about where I can refill. The doctor asked, “Do you really want that many? They are very expensive, $5 each!” He has no idea. (As a side note, I also found them affordably in Australia, although a much smaller quantity. Same medication, same brand, made in the U.S., but eight times more expensive for us in the States – there’s something wrong here…)

 

We made a day trip to nearby Nong Khai, a town on the 2700 mile-long Mekong River, just across from Laos, where they treated me to a feast. Joi went to school in Nong Khai for years, living with the monks, so we visited his old school. By the way, the Mekong is the world’s 12th longest river, running through China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

 

I even got to go to the local barbershop with the guys, where they can get a 45-minute shave and a haircut for $1.85. The barber likes them as they tip about 100%. Some things are universal – Joi plays Candy Crush and other games while he waits his turn.

 

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On my last day, we took an early morning walk past the rice paddies, which were dried up and brown now, but will be lush and green soon with the rainy season. We saw stray dogs and water buffalo, and the round peach sun rising, along with its twin floating on the water.

 

Paul and Joi were delightful hosts, kind and generous, fun and funny, and they showed me a side of Thailand I wouldn’t have seen as a tourist. Many thanks, Kob Khun Ka!

 

About Lynn Strough

Lynn is a 50-something year old woman whose incarnations in this life have included graphic designer, children’s book author and illustrator, public speaker, teacher, fine art painter, wine educator in the Napa Valley, and world traveler. Through current circumstances, she has found herself single, without a job or a home, and poised for a great adventure.

 

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“You could consider me homeless and unemployed, but I prefer nomad and self-employed, as I pack up my skills and head off with my small backpack and even smaller savings to circumnavigate the globe (or at least go until the money runs out). Get ready to tag along for the ride…starting now!”

 

All images copyright Lynn Strough and Travelynn Tales

Reprinted with permission

travelynnlogo

5th Annual GRJazzFest announces line-up April 27

3-bottom, Beer, Entertainment, Food, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Local Food, Non-Profits, Upcoming Events, , , , , , , , ,

grand-jazz-logo

By GRandJazzFest

 

Summer’s still quite a way off, but it’s never too early to get excited about good jazz!

 

GRandJazzFest presented by DTE Energy Foundation returns to Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich., this Aug. 20 and 21, for the fifth annual festival. The popular family-friendly festival, which attracted more than 10,000 people last year, is West Michigan’s only free, weekend-long jazz festival. The two-day festival will again be free because of Presenting Sponsor DTE Energy Foundation, the City of Grand Rapids and other sponsoring organizations and individuals.

 

Edye-Evans-Hyde
Edye Evans Hyde performed last year

“Grand Rapids and West Michigan have embraced GRandJazzFest,” founder Audrey Sundstrom said. “We’re proud to say GRandJazzFest is one of the most diverse, community-oriented festivals for people who live here, who travel here, and who want to enjoy two days of great live music in a vibrant downtown setting. THIS is what community is all about.”

 

Each year, GRandJazzFest has been held at Rosa Parks Circle in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids to enable festival-goers to take in all that downtown has to offer: restaurants, clubs, museums, microbreweries and shops. The festival typically occurs during Restaurant Week in Grand Rapids. The festival’s location provides easy access to those who ride the bus, walk or bike, and is also close to parking.

 

The 2016 festival lineup will be announced on April 27 at the House of Entertainment and Music (H.O.M.E.) at The B.O.B. That night at H.O.M.E., the band Evidence led by saxophonist Michael Doyle takes the stage. Evidence performed at the 2014 GRandJazzFest.

 

Like last year’s reveal, festival organizers will coordinate with leaders at International Jazz Day to include GRandJazzFest’s reveal announcement as a sanctioned International Jazz Day event.

 

At the 2016 festival in August, 11 diverse jazz artists and bands will perform, including a student jazz band and two major headline acts.

Walt-Gutowski1
Walt Gutowski performed last year

 

Free face painting by Fancy Faces will be available for kids and, if lines aren’t too long, for “kids at heart.”

 

GR and Jazz (the non-profit, all-volunteer-run producer of GRandJazzFest) is pleased to announce a special collaboration with the Grand Rapids Art Museum: Under an agreement with GRAM, the festival’s VIP area will be located on the GRAM front terrace where refreshments and snacks will be provided. The VIP area is for sponsors of GRandJazzFest. Additionally, GRAM will have an outdoor bar area set up at the base of its front steps adjoining Rosa Parks Circle for attendees who would like to purchase and consume refreshments and enjoy the festival.

 

Grand Rapids city commissioners approved GRandJazzFest as one of 24 events that it will co-sponsor in 2016, a distinction only given to events that have proven to be successful and enrich the community. GRandJazzFest 2015 received distinction as a Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. Signature Event along with two other festivals, ArtPrize and LaughFest.

 

In addition to DTE Energy Foundation, the City of Grand Rapids, and GRAM, sponsors for the 2016 event to date include GR and Jazz, IntentPR, Gilmore Collection, Comcast, Hilger Hammond, Amway Hotel Corporation, Experience Grand Rapids, ICON Sign, Meijer, Moxie Men Incorporated, Hungerford Nichols, WGVU, Steelcase and Clark Hill. Sponsorship opportunities are here.

Grupo-Aye
Grupo Aye performed last year

 

“We are so grateful to all of our sponsors for their support – we could not do it without them,” Sundstrom said. “We’re seeking additional sponsors to help us bring a full weekend of FREE, family-friendly live jazz performances to West Michigan!”

 

Get a taste of past GRandJazzFests by viewing the “recap” videos here.

 

More information on the 5th annual GRandJazzFest presented by DTE Energy Foundation can be found here and at the festival’s Facebook and Twitter sites.

‘Kids Simmer Camp’ stirs up kids’ imaginations and cooking skills

3-bottom, Education, Entertainment, Food, How-To's, Kids Activities, Upcoming Events, , , , , , ,

simmer camp 5By Downtown Market

 

Kids Simmer Camp, for ages 6-11, is a great way to get your kids excited about preparing meals. Fun and educational, these three-day camps explore adventurous weekly themes. From discoveries in the Greenhouse to hands-on cooking in the Teaching Kitchen, “Simmer” Camp cultivates growth and bakes up excitement. Each activity and recipe will pair with the inspiring weekly theme and stimulate inventive imagination and creativity.

 

Everything needed for class is provided: ingredients, the aprons, and the fun! If you shop prior to class and need to put any perishable food purchases in the cooler, please let the sous chef know on your way into class.

 

If your child has an allergy, simply indicate during the registration process if there are any dietary restrictions that our chef should be aware of. We will make the appropriate accommodations to ensure an excellent culinary experience.

 

Please include ages on registration so our chef can prepare ahead for all ages.

 

These classes fill quickly.

______________________________________________________

simmer camp 2

 

Week 1: Baking 101-Oven Science
June 28, 29, and 30, 10a-2p • $125

From savory to sweet, to sneaking in a few secret ingredients, kids will learn the science behind baking, and how to incorporate greenhouse fresh ingredients into their baked goods.

 

This week’s kids’ creations include:

Buttermilk biscuits, homemade baked chicken tenders, nutty chocolate chip quinoa cupcakes, mini seasonal fruit tarts, savory supper pie, black bean brownies, pizza with vegetable pizza sauce, and monkey bread.
REGISTER HERE

 

Week 2: Roadtrip USA
July 12, 13, and 14, 10a-2p • $125

From the Southwest, to Creole country, to New England, and back, kids will take a culinary road trip throughout the US!

 

simmer camp 4This week’s kids’ creations include:

Mexican enchiladas, southwestern slaw, Tex-Mex style chocolate pudding, hopping John rice and beans, pimento cheese spread, lemon parfaits, New England crab cakes, rhubarb tea, and hasty pudding.

Kids will also learn about water resources, plant adaptation, rice farming, food preservation, and other important agricultural facts from around the country.
REGISTER HERE

 

 

Week 3: SOLD OUT!

 

 

Week 4: Movie Meal Mayhem
July 26, 27, and 28, 10a-2p • $125

Ever wondered how to make a real Ratatouille or what would happen if Minecraft food was served at your dinner table? What would happen if food took over Grand Rapids like it does in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs? Join us as we explore the food, farming, and environment related to these popular movies.

 

This week’s kids’ creations include:

Sausage meatballs, giant pancakes, peach sauce, fresh fruit juice, pixelated fruits and veggies with homemade sauces and dips, vegetable ratatouille, French chocolate mousse, and homemade bread sticks.
REGISTER HERE

 

simmer camp 3

Week 5: Modern City Homesteading
July 19, 20, and 21, 10a-2p • $125

Kids will learn the ten basic concepts of urban homesteading and align them with practical skills, such as growing potted plants, making sauces from scratch, designing your own reusable snack sack, and using dry ice to create a fun dessert. Kids will also learn about rain barrels and worm bins (vermiculture) and how they add value to any urban yard.

 

This week’s kids’ creations include:

Cucumber salad, black bean quesadillas, banana pudding vegetable pancakes with homemade ketchup, carrot slaw, ice cream, deviled eggs, seasonal veggie soup and homemade soft pretzels with honey mustard dip.
REGISTER HERE

 

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Questions?  Email classes@downtownmarketgr.com or call 616.805.5308 ext 217.

Take Date Night to a Whole New Level

Local Entertainment, Local Food, Senior Living, Upcoming Events, , , , , , , ,

Treat yourself or your loved one to an unforgettable night of food-focused entertainment. Enjoy the classic romance film, Like Water for Chocolate in the UICA Movie Theater. Then, head to the Downtown Market where market chefs will put together a delectable six–course dinner inspired by the food featured in the movie complete with drink pairings.

 Chef’s Dinner:

– Cocktail: Mezcal, pineapple, chile, honey, cinnamon, and lime
– Green salad with crispy pork, avocado, and tomato
– Vinho verde rose
– Chiles in walnut sauce
– Chateau L’Aqueria Tavel
– Quail in rose-petal sauce
– Adelsheim Pinot Noir
– Turkey mole
– Langmeil Shiraz-viognier
– Oaxacan cream fritters
– Cocktail: tepache, blanco tequila, wild thyme, and lemon

About Like Water for Chocolate:
The youngest daughter in her family, the beautiful Tita (Lumi Cavazos) is forbidden to marry her true love, Pedro (Marco Leonardi) because tradition dictates that Tita must care for her mother. So, Pedro weds her older sister, Rosaura (Yareli Arizmendi), though he still loves Tita. The situation creates much tension in the family, and Tita’s powerful emotions begin to surface in fantastical ways through her cooking. As the years pass, unusual circumstances test the enduring love of Pedro and Tita.

$75 per person

Includes six-course chef dinner, drink pairings, and movie.

Like Water for Chocolate
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Movie: 3:00 pm
Class/Dinner: 5:30 pm

Reserve your tickets today.

What’s the Big Brew-ha-ha? Beer Week GR, Of Course!

Beer, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Our Cities, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , , , , , , , ,

beer week

By Victoria Mullen

 

Hmmm. Sense that? There’s something in the air.

 

No, not a smell, specifically. And it isn’t something you can readily see. It’s more like a growing vibe. Or anticipation. Or something.

 

Ah, yes. There is something brewing in Grand Rapids, and it’s the 4th Annual Beer Week GR, February 17-28. Founded in 2012, the event celebrates and promotes the craft beer culture in the greater Grand Rapids area through a series of unique beer events.

 

“Beer Week GR has grown into a 12-day event that is not only a celebration for beer lovers, but also the local economy,” said Doug Small, President and CEO of Experience Grand Rapids. “The Grand Rapids area beer scene continues to be recognized on a national level. Paired with our ever-popular Cool Brews. Hot Eats. collaboration with more than 50 local restaurants, as well as the popular Winter Beer Festival, Beer Week GR offers beer and culinary fans a unique experience during a period of the year not known to draw as many leisure visitors to the area.”

 

Ohhhh, yeah. You’ll need your strength–you know, something to soak up that delicious craft beer–and Cool Brews. Hot Eats. is just the ticket. Sort of like killing two birds with one stone (so to speak): Fill the belly and celebrate perfect pairings (food and beer, of course) as local chefs and brew masters offer beer-infused dishes and meals with complementary beer pairings. We’ve listed just a sampling of participating eateries at the end.

 

But that’s not all, folks.

 

Nope.

 

The 2016 Winter Beer Festival (the 11th annual) will feature more than 100 Michigan breweries and approximately 1,000 different craft beers. Guests will enjoy fine music from local bands and other fun entertainment, and a selection of tasty food will be available for purchase. Takes place at Fifth Third Ball Park, 4500 West River Dr. NE, Comstock Park, MI 49321. $45 in advance, $50 at the gate, (if still available—tickets sell out fast). ‘Enthusiast Members’ with a valid membership ID card are invited to enter an hour early (at 2 pm on Friday / noon on Saturday) to enjoy VIP entry prior to General Admission.

 

So, devoting 12 days to celebrating beer sounds logical, right? Well, we have inquiring minds over here. What’s the real reason behind this big brew-ha-ha? Why did it start in the first place? Instead of going straight to the sources and asking the founders and powers that be–because, let’s face it, that would be too damn easy–we thought it would be fun to hazard a guess or two.

 

Maybe we hit the nail on the head. Maybe not. But here’s what we came up with:

  1. “They” started this whole thing to prevent people from going off the deep end in mid-winter. Gets mighty gray around these parts.
  2. They wanted to carve out a niche for Grand Rapids because there will never be enough lists for us to conquer.
  3. They just wanted an excuse to drink beer.

 

The last, seemingly simplest reason makes the most sense, so we’re going with that, but hell, any way you look at it, it’s win-win-win for craft beer aficionados because the brews will be a-flowing February 17-28.

 

Yes, the last week of February definitely will be beer-centric and if you’re feeling left out, maybe it’s time to join in the fun. Sure, you could stay inside and cuddle up to a fire with a good book. But where’s the fun in that? No, the answer to braving the elements is beer. We wouldn’t expect anything less from the ‘Best Beer Town.’

 

For a schedule of all the special events surrounding Beer Week GR, go here.

 

Cool Brews. Hot Eats. participating eateries:
Aperitivo
Bagger Dave’s- Fulton
Black Heron Kitchen & Bar
Blue Water Grill
Bobarino’s at the B.O.B.
Bostwick Lake Innbeer week graphic
Brann’s – Leonard
Brewery Vivant
CitySen Lounge at CityFlats Hotel
Cork Wine & Grille
The Cottage Bar
Divani
Donkey Taqueria
El Barrio Mexican Grill
Elk Brewing
FireRock Grille
Flat River Grill
Founders Brewing Co.
Gilly’s at the B.O.B.
Grand Rapids Brewing Company
Gravity Taphouse Grille
Green Restaurant
The Green Well
Harmony Brewing Company
Harmony Hall
The Heritage Restaurant (at GRCC)
Horseshoe Smokehouse
Judson’s at the B.O.B.
Kitchen 67, A Michigan Bistro
Luna Grand Rapids
One Trick Pony
Osteria Rossa
Pearl Street Grill
Ramona’s Table
Reds on the River
Rockford Brewing Company
Rose’s on Reeds Lake
Rush Creek Bistro
six.one.six
Terra GR
Tom + Chee
The Winchester

Check back often, more locations are being added daily. Menus for participating locations will be announced on February 1, 2016.

Interested in participating? Contact Kate Herron – KHerron@ExperienceGR.com.

Area hotels are offering complementary shuttle service to and from the festival to get you there safely. More information here. It’s the responsible thing to do.

Secrets in Healthy Soil Offer Hope for the Future

Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Non-Profits, , , ,

CornfieldThe National Resources Conversation Service is putting together a PSA campaign to help with environmental solutions for healthy soil.

By: Ron Nichols

We’re looking at some pretty big challenges here on planet Earth.

World population is growing and will likely reach 9 billion by the year 2050. Every day, through development and degradation, we lose more of the farmland we need to grow our food. Across the globe, water and other resources are becoming increasingly scare. And extreme weather events like flooding and drought are adding to our food production challenges.

When it comes to growing low-cost, nutritious food, all Americans should understand that without healthy soil there are no farms, and without farms there is no food.

According to a new analysis by the American Farmland Trust, 41 million acres of rural land has been permanently lost in the last 25 years to highways, shopping malls, and urban sprawl. Of that amount, 23 million acres (an area the size of Indiana) was agricultural land.

The rate of recent farmland loss has been an astonishing one acre per minute.

CattleHealthy Farms, Healthy Food

Most Americans don’t think a lot about where their food comes from. They go to supermarkets, put items in their carts, take their groceries home and prepare their meals.

America’s cities sprang up on some of our most productive farmland. Today, the farms closest to our urban areas produce an astounding 91% of our fruit and 78% of our vegetables, but they remain the most threatened. One of the ways we can ensure the survival of these important farms is to improve the productivity and profitability of our farms – beginning with the soil.

Healthy Soil: The Foundation of Healthy Farms

In spite of increasing food production and environmental challenges, there’s a big solution that’s right under our feet – in healthy soil.

National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is working with America’s farmers and ranchers to improve the health and function of their soil through soil health management practices like no-till, cover crops, diverse cropping rotations and managed grazing. These techniques are helping make farms of all sizes more productive and profitable. Farmers with healthy soil not only grow healthier crops, they also harvest a wide range of environmental benefits off the farm.

soilRole of Public Education

The “Unlock the Secrets in the Soil” is a new campaign by USDA’s NRCS. Its purpose is to help farmers and ranchers build healthier, more productive and more resilient soils that are able to sequester more carbon and store more water – all while providing healthy food and keeping our environment clean.

The campaign offers a new hope in healthy soil –  for all of us.

Through a series of 30 and 15 – second public service messages, urban consumers will become more aware of the roll soil health plays in their food, in their lives, and in their future. In rural areas, these messages will connect with actual farmers, ranchers and landowners who can adopt soil health management systems – which is good for the farm, the farmer’s bottom line, and for our planet.

For more information about the hope in healthy soil, visit the NRCS website. To preview or download broadcast quality versions of the PSA’s, visit here.