Search
Private cooking class

Local Seasonal Cooking Classes

My seasonal and local food cooking classes will satisfy the needs of both knowledgeable Vancouver Island locavores and cooks new to the concept of eating locally. With a focus on fresh, seasonal, local, sustainable ingredients, and delicious, unpretentious recipes, these cooking classes are a cut above the rest.

Local Class Schedule

Jan. 27, 2026•6:00-9:30pm

Baking•Local•

Pie-Making 101

In-Person — Royal Oak Middle School (Saanich Recreation)

$109

Vegetarian
Hands On
Demo
Register
View Menu

Jun. 9, 2026•6:00-9:30pm

Local•Basics•

Local Harvest

In-Person — Royal Oak Middle School

$109

Hands On
Demo
Register
View Menu

ONLINE: Ginger Fried Beef

Demonstration

Ginger Fried Beef from scratch
Steamed Rice
Steamed vegetables

Hands On Cooking

Ginger Fried Beef from scratch
Steamed Rice
Optional - steamed vegetables

Note ~ You can cook live with me, or watch and take notes and cook later

Register

Thai Flavours at HOB Fine Foods

Demo

Assorted Canapes provided by HOB Fine Foods
Shrimp Pad Thai (GF)
Red Curry Paste (GF)
Red Coconut Chicken Curry (GF)
Steamed Jasmine Rice
Seasonal Dessert provided by HOB Fine Foods

Hands On Cooking

this class is demonstration only
Register

Knife Skills

Demo

Knife Skills & Knife Overview
Crudite Platter

Hands On Cooking

Vegetable Cutting Practice
Squash, Ginger, and Carrot Soup (GF)
Vegetable Minestrone
Leek & Potato Soup (GF)
Tofu & Vegetable Stir Fry
Glazed Carrots (GF)
Caramelized Onions (GF)
Tomato Salsa (GF)
Spice-Roasted Cauliflower (GF)
Optional - Roasted Winter Vegetables (GF)
Optional - Kale Slaw (GF)

Note ~ Soups will all be made using homemade chicken stock.

Register

Chinese-Canadian Take Out Classics

Demo

Chinese Ingredient Overview
Vegetable Chow Mein

Hands On Cooking

Won Ton Soup
Vegetable Spring Rolls
Gai Lan with Oyster Sauce
Mixed Vegetable Stir Fry
Ma Po Tofu
Kung Pao Chicken
Sweet & Sour Pork
Ginger Fried Beef
Steamed Rice

Note ~ This class is NOT suitable for vegetarian or those on a gluten-free diet.

Register

Pie-Making 101

Demo

tender pastry vs flaky pastry
double crust fruit pie
fruit galette (rustic open top)

Hands On Cooking

Make, bake and take home your own Apple Pie
Option to use butter, locally made lard, or vegan shortening in your pie crust

Note ~ there will be no meal in this class, only samples of pie, so please eat ahead of time

Register

Chinese Canadian Take Out Classics

Demo

Chinese Ingredient Overview
Vegetable Chow Mein

Hands On Cooking

Won Ton Soup
Vegetable Spring Rolls
Gai Lan with Oyster Sauce
Mixed Vegetable Stir Fry
Ma Po Tofu
Kung Pao Chicken
Sweet & Sour Pork
Ginger Fried Beef
Steamed Rice

Note ~ This class is NOT suitable for vegetarians or anyone on a gluten free diet

Register

Mediterranean Vegetarian Cuisine

Demo

Ingredient and technique overview
Rosemary Focaccia

Hands On Cooking

Fattoush
Romesco Sauce (GF)
Chickpea and Artichoke Hummous (GF)
Falafel with Tahini Garlic Sauce and Pickled Onion (GF)
Roasted Broccoli with tomato & balsamic (GF)
Tuscan White Beans with Winter Greens (GF)
Traditional Biscotti

Note ~ This class can accommodate a vegan participant. Contact Chef Heidi for more information.

Register

Knife Skills

Demo

Knife Skills & Knife Overview
Crudite Platter

Hands On Cooking

Vegetable Cutting Practice
Squash and Ginger Soup (GF)
Vegetable Minestrone
Leek & Potato Soup (GF)
Tofu & Vegetable Stir Fry
Glazed Carrots (GF)
Caramelized Onions (GF)
Tomato Salsa (GF)
Spice-Roasted Cauliflower (GF)
optional - Roasted Winter Vegetables (GF)
optional - Kale Slaw (GF)

Note ~ Soups will all be made using homemade chicken stock

Register

ONLINE: Chinese Dumplings

Demo

Pork, Chive & Shrimp filling
Dipping Sauce
Assorted dumpling folding techniques
How to fry and steam dumplings

Hands On Cooking

Pork, Chive & Shrimp filling
Dipping Sauce
Stuff & fold dumplings according to your skill level
Cook dumplings & enjoy!
Register

Spanish Cuisine at HOB Fine Foods

Demo

Assorted Canapes provided by HOB Fine Foods
Romesco Sauce (GF)
Gazpacho Andaluz
Albondigas (Spanish Meatballs)
Seafood Paella (GF)
Seasonal Dessert provided by HOB Fine Foods

Hands On Cooking

this class is demonstration only
Register

Explore Moroccan Cuisine

Demo

Moroccan Pantry Overview
Lamb Tagine with Pears (GF)

Hands On Cooking

Moroccan Mint Tea (GF)
Chicken Tagine with olives and preserved lemon (GF)
Kefta (meatball) tagine (GF)
Briwats with fresh green chutney
Chickpea & Vegetable Tagine (GF)
Fluffy Couscous
Zaalouk (GF)
Assorted Moroccan salads (GF)
Register

Explore Moroccan Cuisine

Demo

Moroccan Pantry Overview
Lamb Tagine with Pears (GF)

Hands On Cooking

Moroccan Mint Tea (GF)
Chicken Tagine with olives and preserved lemon (GF)
Kefta (meatball) tagine (GF)
Briwats with fresh green chutney
Chickpea & Vegetable Tagine (GF)
Fluffy Couscous
Zaalouk (GF)
Assorted Moroccan Salads (GF)
Register

Thai at Home: Green Curry and Pad Thai

Demo

Thai Ingredient & Technique overview
Green Curry Paste (GF)
Green Curry Sauce (GF)

Hands On Cooking

Shrimp Pad Thai (GF)
Tom Kha (coconut milk soup with chicken) GF
Pork Satay with peanut sauce (GF)
Cucumber salad (GF)
Green Coconut Curry with White Fish (GF)
Steamed Jasmine Rice
Register

Thai at Home: Red Curry and Tom Yum

Demo

Thai Ingredient & Technique overview
Red Coconut Curry Sauce

Hands On Cooking

Tom Yum Gung (Hot & Sour Shrimp Soup) GF
Sweet & Sour Tofu Noodles
Shrimp Cakes with cucumber relish (GF)
Red Coconut Chicken Curry (GF)
Steamed Jasmine Rice (GF)
Stir Fried Garlic Greens
Mangoes & Coconut Sticky Rice (GF)
Register

Vegetarian Thai Cooking

Demo

Vegetarian Fish Sauce GF
Thai Ingredient & technique Overview
Yellow Coconut Curry Sauce GF

Hands On Cooking

Tom Kha Faktong (coconut milk soup with squash) (GF)
Salad Rolls with peanut sauce (GF)
Long Bean Stir Fry
Pad Thai (GF)
Yellow Coconut Curry with Tofu (GF)
Steamed Jasmine Rice (GF)
Thai Black Rice & Coconut Pudding (GF)

Note ~ This class is suitable for a vegan diet. Contact Chef Heidi for information.

Register

Thai at Home: Green Curry & Pad Thai

Demo

Thai Ingredient & Technique overview
Green Curry Paste (GF)
Green Coconut Curry Sauce (GF)

Hands On Cooking

Tom Kha Gai (coconut milk soup with chicken) GF
Pork Satay with peanut sauce
Cucumber Salad (GF)
Shrimp Pad Thai (GF)
Green Coconut Curry with white fish (GF)
Steamed Jasmine Rice (GF)
Register

South Indian Seafood at HOB Fine Foods

Demo

Assorted Canapes provided by HOB Fine Foods
South Indian Masala (GF)
Kerala Spiced Spinach with Yogurt (GF)
South Indian Coconut Curry Sauce (GF)
Seafood Coconut Curry with Basmati Rice (GF)
Banana-Ginger Chutney (GF)
Seasonal Dessert provided by HOB Fine Foods

Hands On Cooking

this class is demonstration only
Register

Spanish Cuisine

Demo

Ingredient and technique overview
Seafood Paella (GF)
Arroz con Leche (GF)

Hands On Cooking

Assorted Simple Tapas
Gazpacho Andaluz
Romesco Sauce (GF)
Tortilla Espanola (GF)
Gambas al Ajillo (GF)
Albondigas (Spanish meatballs)

Note ~ this class is not suitable for vegetarians

Register

Taco Party!

Demo

Ingredient and technique overview
Soft corn tortillas from scratch

Hands On Cooking

Pico de Gallo (GF)
Gucamole (GF)
Tomatillo Salsa (GF)
Frijoles (black beans) (GF)
Green Rice (GF)
Chicken Tinga (GF)
Siced Flank Steak (GF)
Optional - Poached Chicken & Salted Cabbage (GF)
Mexican Chocolate Brownies
Register

South Indian Seafood

Demo

Ingredient and technique overview
Kerala Spice Mix
South Indian Coconut Curry Sauce (GF)

Hands On Cooking

Kerela Spiced Spinach with Yogurt (GF)
Masala Potatoes (GF)
Coconut Cilantro Chutney (GF)
Banana Ginger Chutney (GF)
Mango Raita (GF)
South Indian Coconut Curry with Fish & Shrimp (GF)
Basmati Rice (GF)

Note ~ this class can accommodate vegetarians. Contact Chef Heidi for information.

Register

Indian Cuisine: Butter Chicken and Naan

Demo

Ingredient and technique overview
Naan dough
Garam Masala
Butter Chicken sauce
Tandoori Chicken

Hands On Cooking

Chiwda (street food snack)
Mumbai Spiced Vegetables
Butter Chicken
Basmati Rice Pilaf
Tomato & Onion Relish
Green Almond Chutney
Homemade Naan

Note ~ this class is not suitable for vegetarians

Register

Introduction to Indian Cuisine

Demo

Ingredient and technique overview
Homemade masalas (spice mixes) GF
Ghee (GF)
Basic homestyle curry sauce (GF)
Pappadum (GF)

Hands On Cooking

Kachumbar (layered salad) GF
Cucumber Raita (GF)
Fresh Green Chutney (GF)
Tangy Spiced Cauliflower (GF)
Mixed Lentil Dahl (GF)
Homestyle Chicken Curry (GF)
Basmati Rice (GF)

Note ~ vegetarian participants can be accommodated. Contact Chef Heidi for information.

Register

Moroccan Delights at HOB Fine Foods

Demo

Assorted Canapes provided by HOB Fine Foods
Ingredient and technique overview
Lamb Kefta Briwats (deep fried rolled pastry)
Fresh Mint Chutney
Fluffy Saffron Couscous
Chicken Tagine with Preserved lemon and olives
Spinach &Herb Baqula
Seasonal Dessert provided by HOB Fine Foods

Hands On Cooking

this class is demonstration only
Register

Authentic Indian Vegetarian Cuisine

Demo

Ingredient and technique overview
Homemade masalas (spice mixes) GF
Ghee (GF)
Basic homestyle curry sauce (GF)
Pappadum (GF)

Hands On Cooking

Chiwda (street food snack) (GF)
Kachumbar (layered salad) GF
Cucumber Raita (GF)
Fresh Green Chutney (GF)
Tangy Spiced Cauliflower (GF)
Mixed Lentil Dahl (GF)
Carrot Chickpea Potato Curry (GF)
Basmati Rice (GF)

Note ~ this class can accommodate a vegan participant. Contact Chef Heidi for information.

Register

Mediterranean Vegetarian Cuisine

Demo

Ingredient and technique overview
Rosemary Focaccia

Hands On Cooking

Fattoush
Romesco sauce (GF)
Chickpea & Artichoke Hummous (GF)
Falafel with Tahini Garlic Sauce & Pickled Onion (GF)
Roasted Broccoli with tomato & balsamic (GF)
Tuscan White Beans with Winter Greens (GF)
Traditional Biscotti

Note ~ This class can accommodate a vegan participant. Contact Chef Heidi for more information.

Register

Mediterranean Vegetarian Cuisine

Demo

Ingredient and technique overview
Rosemary Focaccia

Hands On Cooking

Fattoush
Romesco sauce (GF)
Chickpea & Artichoke Hummous (GF)
Falafel with Tahini Garlic Sauce & Pickled Onion (GF)
Roasted Broccoli with tomato & balsamic (GF)
Tuscan White Beans with Winter Greens (GF)
Traditional Biscotti

Note ~ This class can accommodate a vegan participant. Contact Chef Heidi for more information.

Register

Local Harvest

Demo

Local Ingredient Resource Guide
Local seasonal ingredient taste test

Hands On Cooking

Soup and/or appetizer
Salad and/or appetizer
Side Vegetables
Protein
Dessert

Note ~ Menu changes seasonally, and will be finalized the week of class. In the late spring our meal typically includes rhubarb, strawberries, leeks, spring lettuces, leafy greens, greenhouse tomatoes & cucumbers, asparagus, new potatoes, peas, radishes, and sockeye or spring chicken.

Register