SPICE LAB WORKSHOP SERIES WITH CHEF AARON SHAPIRO
Fridays November 22, December 6 & December 20
3:00-4:00 PM
Onsite | Free
Join us for this three session culinary arts workshop series led by Chef Aaron Shapiro! Explore the beautiful and delicious world of spices and learn how to harness their power in your own cooking. All materials will be provided. Learn about each workshop in the series below!
11/22:From Pumpkin Pie to Masala Chai – A Journey through Holiday Spice Blends
Join us in this warm and aromatic workshop, where we explore the spices that bring holiday treats like pumpkin pie and masala chai to life. Through tastings and hands-on guidance, you’ll learn how classic spice blends can transform ordinary ingredients into sweet seasonal favorites.
We'll dive into the foundations of flavor by introducing Kali4, a unique four-spice combination that will serve as the base for savory creations in upcoming classes. You’ll experience how small tweaks in spices can lead to bold and unexpected flavors, tasting creations like creamy spiced coconut blends and cinnamon-buttered brioche bites as we refine and balance our spice mixes together.
By the end, you’ll leave with a sachet of whole spices for steeping your own chai or curry at home, along with a shaker of spiced cinnamon sugar for topping anything from ice cream to popcorn or spicing up your morning coffee.
12/6: Getting Curry Savvy
In this second session, we pivot from sweet spices to the savory world of curry. Building on our foundation from the last class, we’ll explore how subtle shifts in spice ratios and new additions like cumin and pepper create a whole new flavor landscape, perfect for holiday dishes that go beyond dessert.
Together, we’ll blend, cook, and taste a variety of curry-inspired dishes, learning how to adapt flavors with simple tweaks that open up a world of savory possibilities. This class introduces Kali4 + the Savory Six, a 10-spice foundation that will shape our next-level holiday cooking.
Each participant will leave with a labeled bottle of curry powder and a kit of whole spices in sachets, designed to be used in a sequential technique we’ll cover in class. Our spice kits will come with an instructional cook booklet, giving you all the tools to make curry at home, plus some sweet twists we’ll produce together in class.
As we continue blending and bottling, we’ll be setting the stage for a final gift set of holiday spices—featuring Ruth’s Spice Lab label—perfect for sharing by the end of the series in December!
12/20: Sweet & Savory: Holiday Gift Set
In this final workshop, we bring it all together! Combining sweet and savory skills developed in previous sessions, we’ll create festive treats and drinks to elevate holiday gatherings. From spiced mocktails and classic hot cider to inventive bites like sweet and spicy candied nuts and veggie curry amuse-bouche cups, this class will add unforgettable flavors to your holiday table.
Participants will have a chance to share their own family recipes and create personalized spice blends, perfect for gifting. Each participant will package their blends in a beautifully wrapped gift set for local delivery, ensuring friends and family receive these homemade flavors just in time for the holidays.
Visitor Guidelines: Face masks are optional.
Access: Ruth’s Table gallery and adjacent green space are wheelchair accessible.
Registration: RSVP Here
Donate: The program is free, donations are welcome.