
What we’re about
Whether you are Michelin Star level or can't boil water, we want you at the Hill Country Cultural Cooking Club! We are part of an initiative of NEO (Nature and Eclectic Outdoors), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our mission is to promote cultural diversity, appreciation, and understanding through cooking and eating amazing food from around the world and learning about the region's culture, history, religions, music, and more!
We are a diverse group of people who meet at various locations around the Texas Hill Country and greater Austin region to cook/bake a recipe, or two, or ten, while learning about varying cultures from around the world and a bit more about each other. We also delve into regional American dishes. Events range from our signature Cultural Cooking events to food festivals, interesting restaurants, quick weeknight potlucks, and our Culinary Crawls that allow us to sample signature dishes at multiple restaurants and eateries.
Our delicious Cultural Cooking events look something like this: We decide on a region or culture we want to learn more about, choose several traditional recipes from that region, and chip in to purchase all of the ingredients and supplies necessary to cook a feast together. During the event, we all cook together while learning about and discussing things like the region's history, religions, music, etc. Sometimes members may even wear clothing from that region. For example, the saris some people wore to one of our Indian Cultural Cooking events were stunning. At Pakistani night, we danced together with Dandiya sticks that one of our Pakistani members brought. At Filipino night, we broke out a karaoke machine to honor a popular pastime in Filipino culture.
We also explain the science that makes certain recipes work. Knowing things like why your eggs have to be at room temperature to cook a proper Tres Leches Cake will change the game for you! You'll even learn the best places to buy exotic ingredients as well as good substitutes you can easily find at HEB.
All ages, backgrounds, and experience levels are welcome...seriously. Come cook and bake with a group of people who you will never have to apologize to when the smoke detector goes off. We've all been there. We are your people! Kids are welcome at events as well.
So grab your tackiest apron and sign up for an event! We'll see you soon!
FYI: This isn't a singles meetup. It's great if you meet "the one" during an event, but don't act creepy.
Upcoming events (1)
See all- World Food DayTBD, Dripping Springs, TX
## What is World Food Day
World Food Day is an international day celebrated every year worldwide on October 16 to commemorate the date of the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in 1945. The day is celebrated widely by many other organizations concerned with hunger and food security, including the World Food Programme, the World Health Organization, the Geneva Environment Network, Save the Children, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
The Hill Country Cultural Cooking Club exists as an extension of NEO (Nature & Eclectic Outdoors) initiatives to promote cultural diversity, understanding, and appreciation through food. However, NEO also works to fight food insecurity in historically marginalized communities. This work includes consulting on and helping to create school and community gardens and nutrition programs. Please check out our website to find out more.
I would love your input into an activity we can host in observance of World Food Day.
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NEO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible. If you like what NEO does, please consider becoming a monthly supporter.