Vegetarian cooking classes in Oakland

One Saturday morning, I took some very cool classes at a vegan cooking workshop in Oakland. Set in the First Unitarian Church near downtown, Compassionate Cooks is one of the few vegan cooking classes in the Bay Area.

In about three hours, we made:
-Hearty Three-Bean Chili
-Marvelous Mushroom Risotto
-Peanut Pumpkin Soup
-Polenta with Sundried Tomatoes & Fresh Basil -Farm-Fresh Apple Pecan Muffins

Even as a long time vegetarian, I enjoyed learning how to make vegan foods and I liked Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, the founder and head chef’s funky and energetic personality. She shopped locally and also recommended places to buy food like the Oakland farmer’s markets and the Old Mill, a natural food store in Oakland.

Compassionate Cooks won Veg News’ 2005 Veggie Awards. Come check out this cool series of classes! They offer classes once a month on Saturdays, or you can buy their DVD and recipies.