Seaweed Cooking Class: Unlocking Umami
Garibaldi, OR - May 9th, 1pm-4pm
The world of seaweed is as diverse as any land-based garden, yet most of us only know the thin sheets wrapped around a sushi roll. But these sea vegetables offer a diverse spectrum of flavors ranging from the smoky Dulse to the mild, oceanic sweetness of Sugar Kelp. Understanding the unique "personality" of each species is the key to elevating your cooking. In this class, we move beyond the generic label of "seaweed" to help you distinguish between the different flavors, textures and uses of some local varieties.
Dive into the hidden world of "sea vegetables" and discover why seaweed is the ultimate culinary secret weapon. This hands-on workshop transforms these local seaweeds into pantry staples. We won’t just talk about seaweed; we’ll be getting our hands salty. We will focus on versatile staples you can use every day. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a curious home cook, you'll learn to harness the incredible depth of flavor, nutrition, and sustainability that seaweed offers.
What we’ll make:
Custom Seaweed Seasoning Blends: Forget plain table salt. We’ll toast and grind varieties like Kombu, Wakame, and dulse to create bespoke "furikake-style" sprinkles, perfect for elevating popcorn, avocado toast, or grilled fish.
The Ultimate Ocean Stock: Learn the art of making a rich, golden Dashi and a hearty vegetable-seaweed broth. This is the foundation for the best soups and risottos you’ve ever tasted.
Hydrated Kelp Salads: Master the technique of rehydrating and dressing different textures of seaweed to create vibrant, crunchy side dishes.
Why Oregon is the Ultimate Seaweed Classroom
Oregon’s coastline is home to one of the most biodiverse intertidal ecosystems on Earth, with more kelp diversity than anywhere else on the planet, offering an unparalleled living classroom for learning about wild coastal foods. These workshops bring us closer to our nearshore ocean ecosystems and provide a chance to to learn how ecology, food, and community intertwine. They offer an opportunity to bring a piece of the Pacific home in a sustainable way.
Whether you’re joining for the first time or returning for another season, these workshops are designed to open your eyes to a new pespective of Oregon’s coastal ecosystems, and the chance to see the seaweed-covered shoreline in a whole new light.
If you’d like to learn how to harvest many of the seaweeds and kelps we’ll be using in this class, consider also joining a Seaweed Foraging workshop (only available March 1 - June 15th).
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This workshop will be held near Garibaldi, OR. An exact address will be sent upon registration.
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We will be cooking inside of the Historic US Coastguard Boathouse in Garibaldi, OR. While this is an indoor space, there is a 700’ walk on a potentially wet and windy pier. There are times we may be exposed to elements outside. Be prepared for any weather.
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Bring water bottles, warm clothes, any snacks you may want during the excursion, and a sense of discovery!
Please do NOT bring dogs. I love the furry friends but this is a hands on group activity and they can make it a little challenging for the group overall. Thank you!
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Cancellations made prior to 10 days from the time of the event will get a full refund (minus processing fees) or be rescheduled. Within 10 days of the workshop time, I will do my best to schedule someone but if I cannot fill the spot, no refund will be available.
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The coast is often unpredictable. Events will happen rain or shine. Please be prepared for any and all types of weather. If ocean conditions are unsafe on the day of the event, we will do what we can to educate and have a full lesson while keeping everyone safe.
