Cocktails and Apps: Holiday Edition!

Sushi-making doesn't have to be limited to the view from a seat at your local Japanese restaurant. Bring the sushi bar home by practicing your skills at preparing nigiri (sashimi fish on top of thumb-size, compact sushi rice), perfecting the texture of rice, and learning the proper techniques to create a stellar hand roll. Once you've gotten the basics down, you will try your hand at: sushi rice; maki and futomaki rolls (both thin and thick), inside-out rolls; nigiri and temaki (hand roll).. You will soon learn that sushi is something you too can master.

Join us for a unique evening of flavor and connection at our Guided Tea Tasting, featuring the exquisite blends of Dona Tea. The event begins with a one-hour interactive, Tea Tasting , where you’ll deepen your knowledge of unique tea flavors and origins. Then unwind during a one-hour cocktail reception, where you can sip thoughtfully crafted tea-inspired cocktails and enjoy light bites in a relaxed, social setting overlooking the Hudson River. It's the perfect way to toast a Friday night! This tea tasting is led by Navdeep Kaur, the Head of R&D and Education at DONA. DONA, a woman owned tea company based in Brooklyn, focussed on thoughtful sourcing for sustainability and equity in spice and tea trade. It involves a sensory and educational experience introducing tea and tea blends sourced through direct trade from small scale farmers, that makes the quality super high and leaves a positive impact on the food system. We will be tasting teas and botanicals separately and comparatively to understand the balance of blends and the delicate taste of teas and spices. Navdeep Kaur is the Head of R&D and Education at Dona. Born and raised in New Delhi, India, she brings her academic background in sociology, social anthropology, and food studies to her work. At the intersection of theory and practice, her approach to tea explores how human experience is shaped by the forces of capitalism, culinary globalization, and historical context. At Dona, she leads product development, quality control, ingredient sourcing, tea education, and tasting events.

Move over Bordeaux and Burgundy, wine from France's south is more and more becoming the go-to area for flavorsome as well as thoughtful selections. This region is not only one of the oldest wine regions of France, but also a top producer, second only to Bordeaux. The prime regions lie along the Rhône, but the subregions and many appellations - as well as the numerous grape varieties permitted - make for a varied and interesting wine selection. Certainly, delicious reds such as savory Syrahs of the northern Rhône or classic Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but also rich whites and refreshing rosés. Richard Vayda, ICE's resident sommelier, will host the evening's regional wine survey. Snacks for pairing will be served, with at least 9 wines included in the tasting.

Take a flavorful trip to South America with this "Essentials of Guyanese Cooking" class, where you’ll discover the “land of many waters’” vibrant cuisine. Learn to prepare richly spiced Guyana Chicken Curry and flaky Guyana Parata Roti, then explore Suriname’s savory Moksi Alesi and fragrant French Guianese Goat Columbo. Expand your culinary horizons and bring the authentic tastes of Guyana and its neighbors to your home kitchen!