HOW IT WORKS: 

1. Gather your cooking crew! There is no minimum or maximum, but a group of 4-6 is recommended.
2. Choose from one of the menus below (substitutions/alterations are possible in the case of allergies/strong preferences) and contact Emma via the form below to book your date.
3.  One week before your event Emma will provide you with a detailed shopping list, complete with shopping tips and guidance. It’s recommended that you do the shopping (it’s part of the learning process). Emma is available to answer questions or help you source anything you’re not sure about. If you’d prefer to have the shopping done for you that is possible for an additional fee (see below).
4. On the day of your event Emma will arrive 30-60 minutes prior to the start of the event to help you set up.
5. When your guests arrive the class begins! Emma will go over the menu, providing prepping, cooking and nutrition tips, and everyone will be given a task/piece of the meal to help prepare. While the meal is being prepared Emma will be on hand to offer tips, help and guidance as needed, and to answer questions. We will also clean up as we go so there is not a huge mess to clean up after your group finishes eating.
6. Once the cooking is done, we’ll set the table and your party gets to enjoy the fruits of your labour. Any additional nutrition/cooking questions can be addressed at this time. 
    

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

• Tips on sourcing good quality plant-based ingredients, and where to find any specialty items locally that you are not already familiar with.
• How to plan, design and prepare a healthy, delicious and well-balanced WFPB meal. We'll discuss all the plant food groups and how each one contributes to good health, using your chosen menu as the example.
• How to use nutritionally beneficial ingredients like spices, citrus and vinegars to complement the flavours of your dishes (and how they benefit your health at the same time).
• Preparation, nutrition, cooking and plating tips for plant-based foods (if there are specific techniques/information you would like to learn, please let Emma know).
   

Bring your questions! Any questions to do with plant-based eating or nutrition are welcome. Each guest will receive an e-book of the recipes prepared.

MENU OPTIONS:

(Note that these are suggestions and can be tweaked to suit the tastes/preferences of your group)

1. Healthy Comfort Food - Comfort food doesn't have to make us feel guilty...there are lots of ways to make your favourite dishes healthier, bringing you a tasty, satisfying, familiar meal AS WELL AS one that will nourish you and your family/friends. This is comfort food at its healthy best!

• Beverage: Hibiscus-Mint Iced Tea
• Appetizer: Seared Brussels Sprouts with Candied Maple Pecans
• Main Event: Crave-Worth Buddha Bowl
• Dessert: Raw Mint Chocolate Brownies OR Black Bean Brownies with Chocolate Frosting

 

2. Best Ever Vegan Brunch - Brunch is a vegan's time to shine, and yet it's one of the hardest meals to eat out for. There are so many delicious options for vegan brunch that it was hard to choose for this menu (see the options!) This is a meal that you'll want to make again and again.

• Beverage: Blueberry Citrusade
• Options (or mix and match):
  • Breakfast Scramble, Fresh Greens and Roasted Potatoes with homemade salsa and guacamole OR
  • Vegan French Toast with Seasonal Fruit Salad and coconut whip OR 
  • Vegan Benny with Fresh Greens and Smoked Paprika Sweet Potato Fries 

3. Thai Style - Thai food offers a natural plant-based focus since fresh, crunchy veggies are so often at its centre. This delicious Thai-inspired menu levels up the health factor, eliminating the deep frying, lowering the sodium and powering up the plants offering you a gorgeous flavour-packed, antioxidant-rich meal that will leave everyone raving!

• Beverage: Turmeric lemonade
• Appetizer: Thai Crunch Salad 
• Main Event: Loaded Pad Thai
• Dessert: Strawberry or Blackberry Lime "Cheese"cake

 

4. Spice of Life - Indian food is popular, but so much of what you can find at restaurants is swimming in oil and loaded with sodium. This is a healthy low/no-oil Indian-inspired meal with a powerful nutrition boost, and no lack of flavour. This tantalizing meal is a fabulous example of how spices and citrus can be used to amp a meal up.

• Beverage: Homemade Chai (hot or iced)
• Appetizer: Baked Pakoras with Spicy Mint Chutney
• Main Event: Tandoori Tofu with Curry Roasted Cauliflower served with forbidden rice and greens
• Dessert: Rasmalai Tres Leches Cake

 

5. Pasta la Vista - Italian food is so often rich and heavy, but it can be just as delicious made with healthy ingredients! This Italian-inspired menu will knock your socks off, offering up all the delish with none of the guilt! This mouthwatering meal is super fun to make, and even more fun to eat! These recipes are all family favourites in our household.

• Beverage: Blueberry Ginger Shrub
• Appetizer: Beet Tartare with crusty bread
• Main Event: Lentil Bolognese & Vegan Caesar Salad
• Dessert: Dreamy Chocolate Mousse with Raspberry Compote

 

6. Eat to Live -- Custom Menu for Specific Health Conditions

These custom classes are geared toward individuals/groups who are interested in learning more about how to cook and foods to emphasize for specific health concerns/conditions, such as heart health, to improve Type 2 diabetes, for better brain health, etc. Emma will work with you to design a menu that will suit your needs and what you want to learn.

 

YOUR INVESTMENT:

Flat fee: $400 +GST (payment by etransfer; a 3% fee is additional if you’d like to pay by credit card). A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking, with the remainder due on the day of the class.

Please note that your group is responsible for the cost of groceries.

• SHOPPING ADDITION: Want the shopping done for you? $100 + GST + the cost of groceries (since the cost of groceries constantly changes Emma will provide you with the receipt for reimbursement)

 

Note: Costs are based on classes in the Powell River/ qathet region. If travel is required to Vancouver Island/Lower Sunshine Coast an additional travel fee of $200 is applicable.

QUESTIONS? OR READY TO BOOK YOUR CLASS?

Fill out the form below and please include:

• The date(s) you are interested in booking a class for (please provide at least 2 options if possible)
• The menu option you are interested in 

WHO THESE CLASSES ARE FOR:

Plant-Based at Home classes are designed to be both fun and educational, and the emphasis is up to you! Emma can tailor the information provided based on your interests/needs, providing more/less cooking/nutrition information, as the interest level of your group dictates.

• Looking for a super fun and unique way to celebrate a birthday or gather with friends? This is it!
• Wanting to bring more plant-based meals into your life, but not sure how to get started, or worried about how to get the nutrition you need? Let a class provide that information and motivation!
• Need to make a dietary change and wondering how a plant-based diet might help? This is a great way to start your learning journey, and experience the possibilities.
• Already plant-based/strong, but need an infusion of inspiration? These classes will hit the mark.

Level Up Your Plant-Based Cooking Skills with a Fun, Custom Cook & Eat Class!

Do you want to learn how to make amazing, healthy plant-based meals in the comfort of your own home? Gather your family or friends and host a private cooking class! You’ll learn to shop for, prepare and plate a delicious whole-foods plant-based meal (appy to dessert) with Certified Plant-Based Chef and Registered Holistic Nutritionist Emma Levez Larocque. This is a fun, relaxed way to learn more about (and taste) how delicious healthy plant-based eating can be!

These classes are designed to be highly nutritious and with minimal use of salt, refined sugar and oil. If other dietary sensitivities/allergies need to be considered please let Emma know at the time of booking.

Service available in Powell River, qathet Regional District, Vancouver Island and Lower Sunshine Coast.