Boston Flora

Tag: Oleana

  • Saturday, April 29 – Sunday, May 7 – Small-Group Cooking Experience on the Aegean Coast of Turkey with Ana Sortun

    This 8-day Culinaria is special in so many ways. You’ll have hands-on cooking classes with two incredible cooks—Chef Semsa Denizsel, who left her well-loved restaurant in Istanbul, Kantin, and created the Cooks Grove, a cooking and event space near Ayvalik on the Turkish Aegean Coast, and Chef Ana Sortun, beloved, amazing chef and owner of Oleana, Sofra and Sarma.  The hands-on cooking lessons at Cooks Grove will be in small groups of 12 maximum, giving you lots of individual attention. We’re excited about this new format—half the group will cook with Semsa, a well known Turkish chef and dear friend of Ana’s, while the other half explores cheese farms, the market, cultural sights the town with Ana. Then, the two groups switch!

    We’ll also explore markets, visit food producers, and eat at restaurants that Chef Semsa knows and loves. We’ll also be accompanied by Banu Ozden, who is incredibly knowledgeable about Turkish food and wines, and is a great friend of Ana’s and Oldways’. No doubt! You’ll have an extraordinary experience.

    Since we’re on the Aegean Coast of Turkey, we’ll also visit two historic sites—Pergamon and the incredible Ephesus, south of Izmir. We’ll have wonderful meals in and around Izmir, and you’ll be able to experience the Izmir market, wineries, a fish auction, and the making (and tasting) of katmer, a truly delicious Turkish breakfast dish.   

    In addition, if you (and others) are interested in a food tour in Istanbul at the end of our 8 days by the Aegean, we can make arrangements for a very special food tour experience with Banu Ozden. Questions?  Please read our Travel FAQ here. Call us at (617) 896-4861, or email us at Travel@OldwaysPT.org

    For complete daily itineraries, cost, and flight information visit Oldways Cultural Food Traditions website HERE.

    Photo courtesy of Cooks Grove

  • Friday, November 3 and Saturday, November 4 – Taste America – Boston

    The renowned James Beard Foundation is coming to Boston. On Friday, November 3 beginning at 6 pm at the Taj Boston, enjoy a dinner created by Taste America All-Star Daniel Boulud of Bar Boulud (New York City), Local Star Karen Akunowicz of Myers + Chang (Boston), Pastry Chef Maura Kilpatrick of Oleana Restaurant (Cambridge), and Host Gurminder Gidda of Taj Boston (Boston).  Reception Tastings created by Carolyn Johnson of 80 Thoreau (Concord), Michael Lombardi and Kevin O’Donnell of SRV (Boston), Juan Pedrosa of Yvonne’s (Boston), Cassie Piuma of Sarma (Somerville), and Marc Sheehan of Loyal Nine (Cambridge). The Guest Master of Ceremony is Jenny Johnson, Producer and Co-Host of NESN’s Dining Playbook.

    Tickets (starting at $275) are available now on line at www.jamesbeard.org. The James Beard Foundation is proud to donate a portion of the evening’s proceeds to the James Beard Foundation’s Taste America Scholarship Fund. From April 1 through May 15, 2018 local culinary students are invited to apply through jamesbeard.org.

    Two free demonstrations will also take place over the weekend. On Saturday, November 4 at 10:00 am, Daniel Boulud will conduct a cooking demonstration at Sur La Table at Copley Place, followed by a book signing at 11.  At noon, Karen Akunowicz will take over for another hour of cooking demonstrations, and she will sign books at 1 pm. Tickets are essential since space is limited, and reservations will be taken at www.jamesbeard.org starting Friday, October 20.

  • Friday, October 28, 6:00 pm – James Beard Foundation Taste America

    Join the James Beard Foundation at The Langham, Boston (250 Franklin Street) on Friday, October 28 for a night of culinary stars benefiting the work of the Foundation.  The menu will be created by John Besh, a Taste America All-Star from Besh Restaurant Group in New Orleans, local favorite Ana Sortun of Oleana, and Host Chef Mark Sapienza of The Langham.  Guest Emcee is  Jenny Johnson, two time Emmy award winning producer and co-host of NESN’s Dining Playbook.  The reception will feature tastings by Karen Akunowicz of Myers & Chang, Irene Li of Mei Mei Group/Brookline, Peter McKenzie and Susan Regis of Shepard/Cambridge, Michael Scelfo of Alden & Harlow/Cambridge, and Jeremy Sewall of Row 34/Boston and Portsmouth.The James Beard Foundation is proud to donate a portion of the evening’s proceeds to the James Beard Foundation’s Taste America® Scholarship Fund. From April 1 through May 15, 2017, local culinary students are invited to apply through jamesbeard.org. Tickets ($275) may be purchased online at http://tasteamerica.myshopify.com/collections/boston.

  • Tuesday, January 12, 6:30 pm – A Bazaar of Flavors: Bringing the Middle East to Boston

    The 2016 Ayer Mansion Lecture Series kicks off Tuesday, January 12 at 6:30 pm with Ana Sortun, Executive Chef and Owner and Maura Kilpatrick, Executive Pastry Chef, of Oleana Restaurant Group (Sofra, Oleana, and Sarma), with a program entitled A Bazaar of Flavors: Bringing the Middle East to Boston.  Wine and cheese will be served at 6:30 followed by the lecture at 7.  The Ayer Mansion is located at 395 Commonwealth Avenue, and tickets may be purchased online at http://www.AyerMansion.org.  $35 per person.

  • Monday, November 3, 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm – The Elegant Eggplant

    Certain vegetables have a majestic quality to them that requires you to address them with a level of respect. The staff of Sofra Bakery feels that way about eggplant, and they’re fascinated with the many dishes you can prepare from the eggplant. With so many fresh varieties from the farm, eggplant has many delicious and versatile preparations. The eggplant has such a rich texture, it can be used as a great meat/poultry alternative for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Dive in with Oleana Chef de Cuisine Cara Chicazola-Tobin as she prepares some Imam Bayildi (whole braised Turkish Eggplant), Zaalouk (Moroccan Eggplant Salad), and Eggplant Fatteh (Casserole) with Yogurt Sauce. Silky, sweet and creamy eggplant is a staple in Mediterranean cooking. The class will take place at Sofra, 1 Belmont Street, Cambridge on Monday, November 3 from 6:30 – 9. Registration: $110. Register on line through Eventbrite at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-elegant-eggplant-tickets-12225959173.

  • Monday, October 7, 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm – Not Your Average Eggplant

    Sofra’s fall cooking classes are in full swing at 1 Belmont Street in Cambridge. On Monday, October 7, join Oleana’s Chef de Cuisine, Cara Chigazola, as she explores the delicious, and sometimes intimidating, vegetable – eggplant. Cara will show you several different varieties and walk you through many exotic preparations. Come to class to learn how to make dishes including Imam Bayildi (Turkish Stuffed Eggplant), Zaalouk (Moroccan Eggplant Salad) and Eggplant Sarma. Fee: $110.  You may email classes@sofrabakery.com for more information, or register on line at www.eggplant.eventbrite.com.  Image from www.hungrygerald.com.

    http://hungrygerald.com//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/imambayildi+2.jpg

  • Monday, October 15, 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm – Grains & Greens Cooking Class

    Cassie Piuma, Oleana Chef de Cuisine, will be at Sofra Bakery & Cafe, 1 Belmont Street in Cambridge, on Monday, October 15, from 6:30 – 9, to highlight whole grains and vegetable cookery to create a rich, balanced, vegetarian meal. Learn easy ways to nix the white flour and rice – and incorporate more whole grains! We will be using grains like grano, farro, bulgur, amaranth and quinoa to create Veggie Dolmas, Whole Grain Risotto, Hot & Cold Kibbeh and Hearty Soups & Salads. We’re also happy to announce our friends at Oldways and the National Whole Grains Council will be with us, too. Learn about the differences of whole grains, preparation, and also where to find them locally grown!

    Classes include a recipe booklet, tastes of all dishes demonstrated, beer or wine pairings (depending on class topic) and plenty of time for Q & A with the Chef! $110, plus $3.74 registration fee, will hold you a spot at www.grainsandgreens-eorg.eventbrite.com.

  • Monday, October 1, 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm – Farm to Fork Cooking Class

    Do you need some new ideas to help you get the most out of your veggies – no matter what the season? Oleana Chef de Cuisine, Cassie Piuma, joins us to share some flexible recipes that can be used with different vegetables all year long. Get out of your steamed-veggie and stir fry rut! Friends from Ana Sortun’s family farm, Siena Farms, will also join us for the evening as we make Boreks, Phyllo Pies, Caponata, Tzatziki and more.

    Classes include a recipe booklet, tastes of all dishes demonstrated, beer or wine pairings (depending on class topic) and plenty of time for Q & A with the Chef!  $110, plus $3.74 registration fee, at www.farmfork-eorg.eventbrite.com.  The class will take place Monday, October 1 from 6:30 – 9 at Sofra, 1 Belmont St., Cambridge.

  • Saturday, January 28 – Sunday, January 29 – Be Healthy Boston

    Be Healthy Boston is a two day urban wellness retreat, right in the heart of Boston, at The Westin Boston Waterfront, 425 Summer Street.  Meant to educate, inspire and empower members of the Boston and surrounding communities to live and maintain healthy lifestyles, Be Healthy Boston promises to be a unique experience in a unique environment, like no other.

    There’s lots to look forward to! Just a few things include:

    Learning how to adopt a healthy lifestyle holistically
    Sampling new and exciting fitness classes from local studios
    Trying acupuncture, reiki, and other integrative therapies
    Enjoying mini-massages and other spa-therapies
    Speaking with local health and wellness experts and business owners (Siena Farms owner Chris Kurth and his fabulous chef wife Ana Sortun will be among them)
    Be Healthy Boston will be more than just an event; it will be an experience like no other. Nowhere else can you meet face to face with local wellness providers, services, and businesses, all of which can help you create the healthy lifestyle you want, all under one roof.

    Your Two-Day Pass includes:

    15 Workshops on innovative topics, including nutrition, stress management, and green living
    Sample fitness classes in Gyrotonics, Yoga, Kettlebells, Zumba and more
    Mini spa treatments and integrative therapies from Aveda, Chuan Body + Soul, Spa Intercontinental, Massage Envy and others
    Coaching and wellness consultations with leading wellness coaches
    Cooking demonstrations with award-winning chefs, such as Oleana’s Ana Sortun
    Book signings with best-selling authors, great take home gifts and plentiful samples
    Healthy and delicious lunches and Saturday early evening reception
    Silent auction to benefit Dana Farber’s Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies
    and more!

    Be Healthy Boston is a two day urban wellness retreat, right in the heart of Boston! Meant to educate, inspire and empower members of the Boston and surrounding communities to live and maintain healthy lifestyles, Be Healthy Boston promises to be a unique experience in a unique environment, like no other.

    There’s lots to look forward to! Just a few things include:

    • Learning how to adopt a healthy lifestyle holistically
    • Sampling new and exciting fitness classes from local studios
    • Trying acupuncture, reiki, and other integrative therapies
    • Enjoying mini-massages and other spa-therapies
    • Speaking with local health and wellness experts and business owners
    • Attending innovative workshops
    • Participating in cooking demonstrations with local restaurants and chefs
    • Meeting like minded Bostonians interested in their health and wellbeing
    • And more!

    Come to Be Healthy Boston and be inspired to create the healthy life you deserve!
    Attending innovative workshops
    Participating in cooking demonstrations with local restaurants and chefs
    Meeting like minded Bostonians interested in their health and wellbeing
    And more!

    Come to Be Healthy Boston and be inspired to create the healthy life you deserve! For complete information, log on to www.behealthyboston.com.  Register by January 8 for the best price ($79 – $159).