Posts Tagged ‘Whole Foods’
Events, Tastings, Cooking Class at Whole Foods
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, January 19th, 2011
Many people love eating, but just don’t know how to cook. Almost everyone (myself included) has burned something on the stove or has caused the smoke alarm to go off and then tried to frantically fan the alarm that is most affected by the smoke. Some people just didn’t learn how to cook from their parents or never had to because they always had a meal plan in college or their spouse was an awesome cook so they never had to do anything but clean or set the table. So you want to learn how to cook, but don’t know where to find cooking classes? Or they are way too expensive? Or have you been wanting to taste some of that wine or beer you’ve been eyeing every time you pass the beverage aisle? Get plugged in on events happening at your grocery store. It is probably one of the most important places that people take for granted! Take advantage and see what they are up to!
Whole Foods has some exciting cooking classes and events this week- and they are only $5-$10 or free (depending on the location)! They also have cooking classes for your kids! Here are some upcoming cooking classes and events.
Arlington
2700 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, Virginia 22201
703.527.6596
January 25th-7p.m. – Free
Vegetarian Cooking Class
Store Chef Michael Kiss will be teaching how to cook a healthy, nutritious, vegetarian meal. Email Michael.kiss@wholefoods.com to register.
January 29th-10:30a.m. for kids ages 6 and under, 11:30a.m. for kids ages 7 and up- Free
Kids Cooking Class
Bring your kids for a hands-on cooking, educational class. This class will feature a vegetarian dish perfect for cold days. The class will be held in the café area. The dishes may contain nuts and gluten. Email Amanda.louden@wholefoods.com to register
Reston
11660 Plaza America Dr,
Reston, VA 20191
703.736.0600
January 25th-7p.m.-8p.m.-$5.00
Thai Cooking Class
Love Thai food but have no idea how to make it at home? Chef Andy will teach you how! Space is limited. Email Vernon.james@wholefoods.com to register.
Vienna
143 Maple Ave East,
Vienna, VA 22180
703.319.2000
January 22nd-12-3p.m.- Free
Gluten Free Tasting
Whole Foods’ gluten free vendors will be at the store to sample some of their specialty foods. The hot bar will also be gluten free for lunch. This is a great opportunity to get some ideas for delicious food for friends or family who cannot consume gluten. RSVP on facebook and receive a free gift at customer service.
January 25th-7p.m.-$5.00
Health in the New Year: Cooking Lean Meats
Learn how to cook lean meats with less fat and more flavor with one of the store chefs. There will be no more bland or dry chicken breasts after this class. Email Katie.wolffe@wholefoods.com to register.
January 29th-12-3p.m.- $5.00
Top Shelf Wine Tasting
Come and taste 5 or more top shelf wines that are valued at over $25. A good chance to sample these wines before you buy them. RSVP on facebook and your ticket will be $4.00.
Fair Lakes
4501 Market Commons Dr,
Fairfax, VA 22033
703.222.2058
January 19th-7-8p.m.-$10.00
Beer and Cheese Tasting
Taste pairings of gourmet cheeses and famous Chimay beers. An importer will be present to discuss the history of Chimay and describe each of the beer samples. Call 703.222.2058 to register.
January 29th-1p.m.-4p.m.-Free
Cooking Class with Chef Clay Miller and Cupcakes Actually
Chef Clay Miller from Trummer’s on Main in Clifton from Fairfax Corner will be having a live cooking show in the Sports Bar. Space is limited, call 703.222.2058 to register.
January 31st-11:30a.m.-12:30p.m.-Free
Cooking with Kids
This is a hands-on cooking class with Miss Celia for your kids. They will be making a fun and healthy alphabet vegetable soup! Call 703.222.2058 to register.
Alexandria
1700 Duke St,
Alexandria, VA 22314
703.706.0891
January 26th-6-7p.m.-Free
Beating Cancer with a Fork
Dietitian Deb Rowland from Inova Hospital will teach you about the best foods to help naturally reduce your risk of cancer. E-mail Kimberly.bryden@wholefoods.com or Rachael.chieza@inova.org to register.
-Rebecca Kim
So that’s what the Mad Hatter was drinking
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, June 28th, 2010
Perhaps you found yourself perplexed recently in the aisles of Whole Foods while searching for your favorite brands of Kombucha Tea. Or perhaps you’ve never heard of the drink. It’s a fermented tea which some claim as a panacea for a range of physical afflictions from hair loss to alcoholism. Whether valid claims or no, my interest is piqued to taste it just as it is being pulled off the shelves faster than you can say leggo-my-kombucha.
(image: The New York Times)
The problem is that the product is under suspicion for containing an uncontrollable alcoholic content. Popular brands such as Synergy may continue to ferment in the bottle and thus raise the alcoholic content level above what the label claims to be under .5%. Well, the Treasury Department calls it a problem, I’d prefer to label it as a semantics issue or a gift that keeps giving. The issue is not only a misleading label for consumers, but also that if the content increases over the .5% level it is subject to taxes along with other alcoholic beverages.
To clarify, the drinks are under review for labeling concerns rather than health and safety violations – unless you are in the habit of driving with a glass of kombucha on the rocks, that is.
And if you were thinking to just look elsewhere for your Long Island Kombucha cravings, the bad news is that other stores have pulled most brands off the shelves as well. The good news is that the Kombucha Wonder Drink remains because its pasteurization process guarantees it is within the regulations. You can find this brand at your local MOM’s Organic Market.
Until further notice, it looks like the only other resource is brewing it in the bathtub – but where will we put the moonshine?
-Jamel Daugherty
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, April 15th, 2010
It’s that dreaded day of the year: Tax Day. At least there are several free and low price food and beverage deals available to get you through the day.
Image; Whole Foods
Cinnabon Tax Day Bites: Thursday from 6-8p.m. participating mall locations will provide two free bite-sized cupcakes. Choose from Chocolate Passion, 24-Carrot Cake, Vanilla Bliss, and Cinnacake Classic.
MaggieMoos: Thursday, 3-7p.m. Get a free slice of ice cream pizza. No, it’s not frozen pizza in the shape of an ice cream scoop; it’s ice cream with red frosting and white chocolate made to look like pizza sauce and cheese.
Starbucks: All day Thursday. Bring your own coffee mug and get some free coffee. Help the environment and Starbucks will help a taxpayer.
Taco Del Mar: Thursday. Taxes Suck, Tacos Don’t! Sign up for a Free Taco 1099 Coupon via email to get a free taco. Choice of beef, chicken, fish, or pork. Locations in NOVA include Annandale and Quantico.
Boston Market: Thursday-Sunday, April 18. One free meal for each one you buy with the use of this coupon.
IHOP: 4-10p.m. all month. Free dinner for one child 12 and under with each adult meal purchased during that time throughout April.
McCormick & Schmick’s: Thursday. $10.40 dinner and drink specials, but only in the bar. Bar guests also receive a $10.40 gift certificate that can be used for another meal. On Friday professional tax preparers receive a free dessert plus a $10.40 gift certificate when they show a business card.
P.F. Chang’s: Thursday. 15% off food purchases for dine-in or take-out, not including alcohol or happy hour purchases.
2941: Thursday. Celebrate conquering your 1040 with special cocktails and martinis for $10.40. 2914 Fairfview Park Drive, Falls Church; 703-270-1500.
Rustico: Thursday, 5-7p.m. Pies for $10.40. Toppings are extra.
No Tax at Whole Foods: Stores will not charge sales tax on Thursday. Until April 17th there will be special deals throughout stores, but be sure to double check with your local stores. For example, the Old Town Alexandria store has IRS Patty Cakes at 25% and 2lbs of Snow Crab Legs for $10.99.
Capitol City Brewing Company: Thursday. $2 pints all day on any Core Four Brews at all locations.
Helix Lounge: Thursday, 5p.m.-midnight. The bar will offer a 1040-themed menu that ioffers a house-specialty cocktail and any appetizer for $10.40. Appetizers includes in the dea are fried oysters, mini crab cakes, and beer-battered Vidalia onion rings.
BLT Lounge: Thursday. 50% off all beer, wine, and cocktails. 1625 I Street NW. For reservations and information, call 202.689.8999.
Zola: Thursday. Patrons at Zola can enjoy a prix-fixe meal at the bar and get last minute tax filing assistance. While you’re there, try the IRS Raspberry specialty cocktail. Taxes are on Zola today. The prix-fixe lunch at $20.15 and dinner at $35.15 includes an appetizer, entrée, and dessert. Zola will provide IRS tax forms, calculators, envelopes, #2 pencils and even mail customer’s tax forms and pay for the postage if they complete their forms at the bar by 11p.m.
Subway may have free cookies and McDonald’s may also have freebies.
Be sure to check with your local restaurants to see if they are offering these deals before demanding your freebie.
–Aisha Salazar
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, October 26th, 2009
For those who don’t know, celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse spends countless hours here filming his latest cooking show, Emeril Green (shot almost exclusively at the Fair Lakes Whole Foods).
No word on the locals he’s helping or what culinary themes he’ll be exploring. But you can expect to find Lagasse wandering the aisles through October 30.
–Warren
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, July 23rd, 2009
By Buzz McClain
Courtesy of Planet Green
Yours truly shared the frustration of trying to feed interesting fare to my divergent family (flexitarian daughter, protein-devouring son, hard working spouse) with the “Emeril Green” producers. Chef Lagasse took pity.
Catch my reality TV-cooking gauntlet—taped over six hours at the Fair Lakes’ Whole Foods—July 13 at 8 p.m. on Planet Green.
- 1:06 p.m.: I’m absorbed into the scrum of cameras, lights and boom mics that follow Emeril around. I shake his hand—the same one I’ve seen make chicken fried pork chops with andouille milk gravy on “Emeril Live.”
- 2:25 p.m.: We cruise the aisles looking for ingredients. Emeril admits he has no idea what we’re going to make.
- 2:45 p.m.: “Oyster sauce,” I ask, “does it have oysters in it?” He explains yes, wise guy, why do you think they call it that? “Well,” I say, “then what’s baby oil?” Emeril laughs (he gets my joke).
- 3:10 p.m.: The menu unfolds: Mongolian barbecue, vegetable lo mein, scallion and mushroom pancakes, and pickled radishes with daikon. I’ve never eaten—much less made—any of it before.
- 4:30 p.m.: There are few breaks once we start the marinades for the chicken and pork. Things speed up as he begins conjuring the meal. He’s doing this from his head. It feels like a magic trick.
- 5:15 p.m.: My family arrives on set to sample the fare. Of course it gets a passing grade; what else are they going to say? But it is good. I intend to keep it in my kitchen playbook for a long time.
- 6:00 p.m.: I depart with 10 pounds of Asian food prepared by Emeril himself—when’s that happening again? In an hour, I’m reheating it for dear friends who offer up good wine.
(July 2009)
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, March 25th, 2009
While on a recent scouting expedition through McLean, I noticed a “coming soon” banner draped across the funkified ice cream parlor that was Moorenko’s.
(Image: Moorenko’s)
But as I was in-between meals (believe me, it sounds a lot cooler than it actually is), I told myself to slap on my investigative cap and follow up on that later.
Shortly thereafter, I noticed that others were bummed about the disappearing landmark (confusion voiced here; condolences expressed here).
With prime ice cream eating season just around the corner, I figured it was time to see what exactly was going on with Ms. Susan Soorenko and her uber rich indulgences.
Turns out the McLean shop has indeed been sold (it’s poised to become a neighborhood cafe) so Soorenko could move her entire manufacturing operation to a new Silver Spring facility (part of an expanded wholesale push). She noted, however, that the old Silver Spring store will come back online in just a few weeks.
But NoVA folks won’t have to hightail it around the Beltway just to snag a scoop of cotton candy-gummy bear or Danish sweet cream.
Because Soorenko is now jumping into the residential delivery game.
“We deliver in pints, quarts and half-gallons,” she said of her door-to-door, frozen dairy distrubution scheme, outlining a desire to transport ice cream anywhere her pre-existing business takes her.
“It really can be anywhere–as long as we can weave it into our route,” she said of her proposed delivery reach, estimating that everywhere from Ashburn to downtown D.C. seems perfectly doable.
Delivery minimums will include four pints or two quarts per order, though no delivery charge will be added. Regular pints run about $5.50 while quarts retail for around $9.
Orders can be placed by calling the Moorenko’s office: 301-565-8050 or their special “ice cream emergency line” (aka Soorenko’s cell phone): 703-862-6595.
Soorenko has also recruited McLean’s Organic Butcher as a local drop-off point, so her old nieghborhood fans can still get their butterfat fix while sticking close to home.
Meanwhile, her products will continue to be carried locally by retailers like Whole Foods and My Organic Market. And Moorenko’s wares continue to pop up on more restaurant menus–all the Lebanese Taverna locations, every Ray’s location (Hell Burger and the Steaks), Overwood, American Flatbread and Bazin’s on Church proudly feature her ice cream (just to name a few)–with growing regularity.
“We’re really just a phone call away,” Soorenko assured us.
–Warren Rojas