March[masked] - Thank you for your interest everyone but this event is now SOLD-OUT and we've also closed the waiting list. Christian

Tuesday March 12, 2013

Yassas LA Foodies:

Please join me on Saturday March 23 for a very, very special and traditional "Greek Easter" Cooking Class & Lunch.

Popi Terzi is originally from Athens, Greece and is a published cookbook author ("Athenian Cuisine" and "Encore: More of Popi's Athenian Cuisine"). She's been the owner of Popi's Athenian Cuisine Cooking School for the last 20 years.

I've been attending Popi's classes for many years (9+ years) and as I've said in prior years, if you have ever thought about taking one of Popi's classes and/or would like to attend just "one" class, this one would be it: This is the class you never ever want to miss with its sumptuous, delicious & traditional Greek Easter menu. Please read on for more details.

Seats are limited (Only 7 seats are available as I write this) so please RSVP as soon as you can (The RSVPs will close on Friday March 22 at 4pm).

Here's the menu:

• APPETIZER: Eggplant-Almond dip/spread with toasted Pita Bread
• SOUP: Delicate, traditional Greek Easter Magiritsa Soup (Note from Christian: This is, and no, I'm not exaggerating, the BEST soup I've ever had. Ever!)
• SALAD: Spring Salad
• MAIN COURSE: Succulent roasted whole baby Lamb* stuffed with Meat and Rice Stuffing - Served with roasted Lemon Spiced Potatoes and Sautéed Peas with Scallions
• DESSERT: Ekmek Kataifi Torte (see picture and recipe of this amazing Ottoman/Anatolian-influenced dessert here: http://kalisasorexi.com/2010/02/ekmek-kataifi)

+ Greek Coffee

+ Several Easter treats

Christos Anesti!

*Please note that the "whole baby lamb" menu item will be based on seasonal availability (esp since Easter is early this year). If a whole baby lamb is not available, Popi will prepare a large leg of lamb and will cook the stuffing separately. All the side dishes will remain the same.

The class will start at 12:00 pm sharp and will last about 4-5 hours usually, definitely running on "Greek time" (ie Slow, enjoyable and leisurely time.) This is not a good class to take if you're in a rush to get somewhere afterward.

LOCATION: Please note that the exact street address will be provided to all who RVSP YES and PAY. If you'd like to map this online please enter the following intersection and zip: Springdale St. at Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92647

DISTANCE: If you live on the Westside of LA or the Valley and you're thinking that Huntington Beach is "too far", it takes 50-55 minutes to get there, it's about 35 miles from Mid-Town LA.. The drive is not unpleasant and traffic is usually flowing smoothly on weekend mornings. Bottom-line: You won't find better Greek food in or around LA: Popi's food is worth driving 10,000 miles for!! :-)

CLASS FORMAT: The format of this cooking class is Demonstration-style (though a couple of student volunteers usually help out stirring stews or rinsing dishes): Popi will make ALL the food in front of us and will take questions. We will also have a complete lunch and eat all this food that she prepared in front of us! All the while, you'll be VERY entertained by Popi and her funny stories and will understand why she has so many regular students. All the recipes will be provided to you in a small booklet to take with you.

CARPOOL If you're interested in carpooling, please indicate your general area in your RSVP comment. I'm cross-posting this event and will try to connect you with others who may be near you.

FEE: $65** per person (**if you pay before Friday March 22; $72 on March 22) and must be prepaid via PayPal directly to Popi. (Once you RSVP YES, I will contact you with Popi's PayPal information). Your fee will cover the cost of a full meal + the class itself. As mentioned, you will all receive a small booklet with the recipes prepared on that day so you can try them again on your own.

BOOK: Popi will also have her latest hardcover cookbook "Encore - More of Popi's Athenian Cuisine" available for sale at the class. It makes for a great gift: Popi can sign it and it's $40 + tax. Cash and checks accepted by Popi directly.

ABOUT POPI:

Popi Terzi is a native of Athens. Although her post-secondary studies were in architectural design at the Doxiades School in Greece, she began cooking at an early age. She came to the U.S. in 1964 and raised her family in Upstate New York. Twenty years later, she started her own cooking school, and in 1987, she published her first cookbook, Athenian Cuisine. In 1991, Popi moved to Southern California to be closer to her children. She continues to write and teach her cooking classes and she has published a second cookbook in 2003: "Encore: More of Popi's Athenian Cuisine - ISBN:[masked]"

DEADLINE: The deadline to sign up and PAY is Friday March[masked] at 4pm Pacific (Popi needs to have an accurate headcount to shop for the food)

DISCLAIMER and DISCLOSURE: I pay the full price for these classes, just like you would. I have no financial interest in any of Popi's cooking classes or in the sale of her books. I just like to promote her classes for one very selfish reason: They're great and I want Popi to keep offering them for a very very very long time. Did I mention that Popi's food is really truly simply amazing? So please join me if you can.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Opa!

Christian