Cooking

The "classical" bookswap is simple: * We meet in a café and put the book(s) we brought down on the tables. * We browse and discuss the books with one another while sipping coffee or hot chocolate, or eating cake. * We write our names down on any books we’d like to take home (post-its and pens provided). * At the end of the evening, negotiate any books that are contended and take a new-to-you book home! Books/happiness shared are books/happiness multiplied! A Bookswap is 10 times better than a Book Club because you can talk about ALL the books instead of just one! This is a great way to give your books a new home and make room for new books: that book you feel guilty for not having read even though it's been sitting on your bedside table for the last 5 years, the book you liked but didn't love, the book you loved so much you want everyone to read it, the book you somehow own three copies of, that book you absolutely hated even though everyone else loves it, and so on. Moreover, you will meet fellow readers, get a new book or two, and several book recommendations. We’ve often had readers experience books they wouldn't normally buy and enjoy it. GROUP EXPECTATIONS for PLEASANT SWAPPING * Please bring a book! It's not that you bring one you take one, but do try your best to bring something. * Books stay on the tables, open for sharing, until you are ready to leave so that everyone can have a look. We are notably not first come first serve. Please wait until you are leaving to bag the book. * If two or more people want the only copy of a book, negotiate. Maybe one of you reads it first and then gives it to the others. Or perhaps they have found another book instead. Or leave it to fate and toss a coin. The best part: now you have found somebody whose taste you can really admire. In any case, please don't walk away with a book with several names on it without letting the others know. These negotiations are fun and easy, so don't shy away from a book because there's already a name on it, and feel free to put your name on as many books as you find interesting. It's not that you bring one you take one; you may take as many as you can negotiate. * Political discussions with consent: make sure the people you are talking to would like to have a political discussion with you. * Please respect this space as first and foremost a community for connecting readers over their love of books and reading, stories, and narratives of all sorts. Please be respectful of tastes and opinions. * If something is bothering you, please reach out to the organizers, and we'll do our best to resolve it. * Lastly, don't expect your book back. It will find a new home. If you love it, let it go. Major LANGUAGES (and genres) of this meetup: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian; Fiction, Non-Fiction, Serious Reading, Light Fun, “classics", Krimis, Booker winners, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Self-Help and more. You never know who can read what languages, and there's no accounting for taste. We are a delightful and international group of readers. We look forward to swapping with you!

What happens when incense and wine share the same air? In this intimate session, we pair natural incense with selected wines to explore how scent shapes taste, memory, and mood. As incense burns gently in the background, each sip unfolds differently — softer, rounder, more present. This is not a typical tasting, but a ritual of attention, guided slowly and intentionally. **Les Amis** is a women-only community of friendly souls. We provide access to hundreds of experiences that explore your passions and connect you with other event participants. **Check our website to learn more, and apply to join our community and events**: [lesamis.cc/apply](https://www.lesamis.cc/apply)

Join the dinner event and hangout this coming Friday, we are going to be in central Berlin, a short distance from Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz U-Bahn (subway) station. We are visiting a wonderful Georgian restaurant called Golden Fleece, which offers good food, cosy environment as well as fair prices. Menu also offers vegetarian choices. A nice area will be reserved for us. In case of interest for a further venue after the dinner, you can ask the event host for some tips. Come meet new friends and enjoy nice food in a relaxed and fun atmosphere, can't wait to see you all! **(Please note that spots are limited! Apply as early as you can)**

Join us for a fun **Speed Friendship & Social Meetup** at **Pizza Max Schöneberg**. This is a great chance to meet new people, have good conversations, and make new friends in a relaxed and informal environment. **What to expect** * Short conversations with different people * Friendly and social atmosphere * Meet new friends in Berlin **Special offer** Participants get **10% off on dine-in orders**, so enjoy delicious pizza while meeting new people. 🍕 **What to bring** Just bring yourself and a positive attitude. **How to find the group** Look for the **Meetup table inside the restaurant** when you arrive. Come together, enjoy pizza, and make new friends! 🤝🍕

A timeless pairing brought to life in a warm, intimate setting. Join us for an evening dedicated to the simple pleasures of good wine, fine cheese, and meaningful connection. You’ll explore carefully selected wines complemented by artisanal cheeses, each combination designed to delight the senses and spark conversation. Whether you’re a connoisseur or simply curious, this gathering invites you to slow down, taste deeply, and enjoy the art of togetherness. Sip, savor, and let the evening unfold — effortlessly and beautifully. **Les Amis** is a women-only community of friendly souls. We provide access to hundreds of experiences that explore your passions and connect you with other event participants. **Check our website to learn more, and apply to join our community and events**: [lesamis.cc/apply](https://www.lesamis.cc/apply)

Join us for a utopian game-based workshop where food becomes the starting point to imagine fairer, more connected and more sustainable ways of living. Through shared dishes, conversation, and a collective game, we’ll explore our relationship with food traditions to our local food systems. Together, we’ll reflect, exchange perspectives, and co-create new possibilities for the future. This is a welcoming experience designed for curiosity, connection, and collective imagination. **No previous experience is needed** — just bring yourself as you are. Along the way, you’ll enjoy **organic snacks included** in the experience. **Collaboration:** 25 eur - Includes organic and vegan snacks and facilitation of the game **Language**: English, German, French

**Spice & Giggles Night — Hot Wings Eating Competition & Comedy** Come down for a fun night of hot wings, laughs, and questionable life choices. Spice & Giggles Night is a live spicy wings eating competition hosted by comedian Tyrone Stallone, open to anyone brave enough to enter — or happy to watch from a safe distance. Hot wings are also available at the bar all night, so you can go at your own pace. Whether you’re here to compete, cheer on your mates, or just enjoy some wings and a laugh, there’s a spot for you. **Friday 24 April · Göttin der Weisheit, Lenaustraße 5, Neukölln · Doors 7 PM** Free to watch. Open to enter. For all upto date information visit [republicofheat.com](https://republicofheat.com/en) and head to the events page. Republic of heat : [https://republicofheat.com/en](https://republicofheat.com/en) In association with Berlin Chili Festival : [http://berlinchilifest.com/](http://berlinchilifest.com/)

**[😊Scenes from our last kitchen gathering](https://www.instagram.com/vegan_chick_mskmtur/) 🌸** In celebration of **World Healing Day** (April 25), a day dedicated to nurturing both body and mind, we invite you to join a unique and mindful vegan salad cooking experience **🌏✨** This is **not a raw food event**—salads can be prepared in *any style you like*: roasted, sautéed, grilled, or fresh! *** ### **How it works:** Everyone brings **2 vegetables (or fruit) of your choice 🍅🥒🍋** Together, we’ll create a shared vegan salad lunch in an *improv-style*—turning our ingredients into collaborative salad dishes to mix, match, and enjoy. **No strict recipes. All fusion 🌏!** This is about experimenting with flavors, sharing ideas, and enjoying a fun cooking vibe. *** 🏡 **What the organizer will provide** 🏡 **Basic and essential ingredients for vegan cooking, including:** * A selection of oils (*extra virgin olive oil, rapeseed oil, and sesame oil*), sesame seeds, and balsamic vinegar, lemon vinegar, * A range of carbohydrate options such as fine bulgur, potatoes, quinoa, short pasta, and wheat-based bread. * Legumes and plant-based proteins ( some canned beans, tofu or other soy bean-based products) * Coconut yogurt, peanut butter, pickled olives,Tomato&pepper paste. * Fresh aromatics like garlic, dill, and onions, * A variety of Mediterranean, Asian, and some Middle Eastern spices to experiment with. *** 💚 **Details at a Glance** 💚 Saturday April 25th \| 13:00–16:00 \(Doors open at 12:45\) 🧺 **Please Bring:** 2 vegetables (or fruits) of your choice 💵 **Fee:** €5 (Covers the meetup fee and shared ingredients) 🙏🙏 **please check your mail box and confirm your attendance by FRIDAY at 12:00 to secure your spot**🙏🙏 This event is limited to 7 people and hosted in my private kitchen *** ### Schedule 12:45–13:00 \| Welcome & introductions 13:00–15:00 \| Cooking time 15:00–16:00 \| Shared meal & warm goodbyes *** ### **Allergies / Food Intolerances** Some ingredients will contain **wheat (gluten) Peanut and soy**. Since participants bring different vegetables and /other vegan ingredients, the **exact dishes cannot be confirmed in advance**. **Meeting Point** Levetzowstr. 13 (EG), 10555 Berlin – Moabit *(Accessible via S-Tiergarten, U9 Hansaplatz, or U9 Turmstraße)* **✨ Why Join? ✨** * Meet new people * Experiment with flavors and get creative * Cook together, share ideas, and leave inspired ✨ *** **About the Host** [Hi! I’m Misaki](https://www.plant-spirit-living.com/) — a certified vegan/plant-based nutritionist. I usually teach simple and healthy vegan cooking, but this time we’ll be improvising a variety of salad dishes using the vegetables everyone brings. I’m really looking forward to cooking and sharing ideas with you! ***

## 🍙 Japanese Bento-Box Experience **A Hands-on Bento Workshop in Berlin** **“Regenerate your body and the earth through Omusubi.”** *** ### 🌿 About This Workshop In this workshop, you will learn how to make *Omusubi* (Japanese rice balls), the heart of a traditional bento box, while exploring: * The philosophy behind Japanese bento culture * The connection between rice-based diets and the natural environment * The impact of Omusubi on gut health *** ### 🍱 What You Will Experience * Discover the story and cultural meaning of Japanese bento * Learn basic cooking techniques that support health and child development * Understand the deeper meaning of *Omusubi* * Share a meal together and enjoy a warm, communal experience *** ### 🌏 Why This Workshop Matters In a world facing environmental destruction, food crises, conflicts, and health challenges, the need for sustainable agriculture and regenerative organic practices is more urgent than ever. In Japan, one small but meaningful step toward this future is the everyday practice of enjoying sustainably grown rice. By sharing the wisdom of bento culture—something that has long nurtured people, nature, and community—we hope to spark a *BENTO movement* here in Berlin, reconnecting people with the earth through food. *** ### ✨ Who This Is For * Those interested in healthy eating and gut health * Lovers of Japanese food and culture * Anyone seeking a deeper cultural food experience * Beginners are very welcome *** ### 📍 Details **Location:** ishinoya **Date:** April 25 (Saturday) **Time:** 11:00 – 13:00 **Duration:** Approx. 2 hours 👥 **Capacity:** Limited to 8 participants 💶 **Fee:** €40 *** ### 🎒 What to Bring * Your favorite lunch box * An apron *** ⚠️ **Only 8 spots available** This is a small-group workshop. Registration will close once it is fully booked. *** ### 👉 Reserve Your Spot [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScL5l-M2xuyYfVP3lcTfPXkgPL-iuF91z_RKbWAhR1MERXW6g/viewform?usp=header](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScL5l-M2xuyYfVP3lcTfPXkgPL-iuF91z_RKbWAhR1MERXW6g/viewform?usp=header) *** ### 💬 About the Organizer Hello, I’m Masaki Sakurai, founder of team-OMUSUBI. With a background in sustainable agriculture, managing an organic food store, and organizing food education programs, I moved to Germany in 2024 with my family of six. Currently, I work at a Japanese restaurant while hosting workshops that share Japanese food culture—fostering connections between people, nature, and health through hands-on experiences

Das Geheimnis der japanischen Gesundheit und Langlebigkeit – versteckt im täglichen Bento!? Entdecken Sie einfache und köstliche japanische Bento-Rezepte. Ort: ishinoya (Schönhauser Allee 54, 10437 Berlin) Datum: **25.04 .2026　11:00–13:00** Programm: „OMUSUBI –das japanische Superfood Onigiri“ Praxisteil: Reis kochen / Omusubi formen / Bentobox zusammenstellen Dieses Mal steht in unserem Kurs das Herzstück der Bento-Box – das OMUSUBI (Reisbällchen) – im Mittelpunkt. Wir zeigen euch, wie man Reis ganz ohne Reiskocher, sondern einfach und für jede\*n im Topf zubereiten kann! Diesmal lernen wir, wie man mit einem Staub-topf (Gusseisentopf) unkompliziert und besonders lecker Reis kocht. Außerdem sprechen wir darüber, warum OMUSUBI gut für den Körper sind, warum die gesunde Lebenserwartung in Japan so hoch ist und teilen mit euch die oft verborgenen Wahrheiten hinter der Reiskultur und der reisbasierten Ernährung. Am Kurstag stellen wir gemeinsam eine OMUSUBI-Bento-Box fertig und genießen anschließend euer ganz persönliches MY Bento. (Beilagen wie Tamago (japanisches Omelett), Karaage (japanisches frittiertes Hähnchen) und weitere kleine Gerichte werden von uns vorbereitet.) Wenn ihr euer Bento mit nach Hause nehmen möchtet, bringt bitte eine eigene Lunch-Box mit. Teilnahmegebühr: **Einführungsangebot: 40 €** pro Person ☆ Kinder bis 12 Jahre: **10€** ※ Die Teilnahmegebühr bitten wir, vor Ort bar zu bezahlen. Mitzubringen: Schürze / Brotdose (Lunch-Box)

Am kommenden Sonntag, den 26. April veranstalten wir mit Queereweide ein Rainbowkitchen, um gemeinsam zu kochen und uns kennenzulernen. Kommt gerne vorbei und macht mit! Alle Personen, die sich als LGBTQIA+ identifizieren, sind herzlich eingeladen! Wann? Sonntag, 26.04.2026, 14:00-17:00 Uhr Wo? Nachbarschaftshaus „Villa offensiv“ Hasselwerderstraße 38-40 12439 Berlin Anmeldung über folgende E-Mailadresse: rainbow@ueberdentellerrand.org Wir freuen uns auf euch! 🧡💜 Euer Über den Tellerrand – Team __ Next Saturday, April 26th , we are hosting a Rainbow Kitchen with Queereweide to cook together and get to know each other. 🏳️‍🌈 Come along and join in! Everyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+ is cordially invited! When? Sunday, 26.04.2026, 14:00-17:00 Where? Nighborhood house Villa Offensiv Hasselwerderstraße 38-40 12439 Berlin Registration via the following e-mail address: rainbow@ueberdentellerrand.org We look forward to seeing you! 🧡💜 Your Über den Tellerrand Team

Join us for a relaxed afternoon of delicious vegan food, warm conversations, and community connection. Bring a dish, meet new people, and help keep the group thriving. **🗓 When & where** Sunday, 26 April 2026 • 11:00–16:00 📍 ProVeg Berlin, Genthiner Str. 48, 10785 Berlin **🥗What to bring** Please bring only a **fully plant-based** dish (homemade or store-bought) to share with the group. ➤ Label your dish clearly with the name and any common allergens (e.g. gluten, nuts, soy). Plates, cutlery, and cups will be provided—but feel free to bring your own if you prefer! **💶 €3 event fee (non-refundable)** This small fee helps cover the venue rent, Meetup app, and small event costs. Any extra funds will be donated to animal rights NGOs. To confirm your RSVP: * Send €3 via PayPal (details in the comments) within 48 hours of RSVPing * Add a note: "Your Name + potluck" * No PayPal? Message me for IBAN details * **If payment isn’t received within 48 hours, your RSVP will be cancelled** We want everyone to feel safe and comfortable. Please respect boundaries; harassment or disrespectful behaviour isn’t welcome and will mean removal from future events.

​In this workshop you will discover how Ayurveda views nutrition as a way to support digestion, energy, and overall well-being. ​Rather than focusing on strict rules, Ayurveda teaches us how to listen to the body and choose foods that truly nourish us. ​During this session you will learn: ​• the basic principles of Ayurvedic nutrition ​• how digestion influences energy, mood, and health ​• simple ways to adapt your meals to your body’s needs ​• practical tips you can apply immediately in everyday life ​*Your body already knows the way. Ayurveda helps you listen to it.* Join me for my first in person event at the beautiful Dharma Studio in Kreuzberg!

This event is a fun and beginner-friendly introduction to the world of sourdough alongside a delicious sourdough tasting. You’ll learn the basics about the sourdough starter: what it is, how it needs to be maintained, and how to bake delicious and healthy bread with it. During the session, we’ll feed our starters together, and you’ll go home with your own active sourdough starter, plus a clear step-by-step recipe and guide to help you bake your first loaf at home. To spark inspiration and motivation, the event includes a sourdough tasting. You’ll enjoy a selection of freshly baked sourdough breads with delicious dips, along with soft drinks and tea. There’s plenty of time to chat, ask questions, and connect with others in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Perfect if you’re curious about sourdough, want to get started without pressure, and enjoy learning while sharing good food and conversation. **Les Amis** is a women-only community of friendly souls. We provide access to hundreds of experiences that explore your passions and connect you with other event participants. **Check our website to learn more, and apply to join our community and events**: [lesamis.cc/apply](https://www.lesamis.cc/apply)

Details Let's join together for a fiesta! (Invite friends - we have lots of room!) Taco Bar Margarita and Beer tasting Complementary chips and salsa Margs/cocktails at the bar for purchase Freshly prepared snacks in the deli for purchase Festive Band/Music Margaritas/Mexican Beer Tasting + Taco Bar: $15.00 per person (covers 4 Margarita or beer samples and one pass thru the Taco Bar) Where: #MarketDistrict (Grandview Yard) location. The party room (our private space) will be decorated with both patios open! Adjoining upstairs area also open for over flow and mingling. After Party: Sometimes, we head to a venue to hear live music afterwards. LDNL is at Black Swan in Hilliard tonight! Wear your bright colors and cheerful !Salud!

Welcome, readers! Our April read is **_Martyr!_ by Kaveh Akbar.** The story follows a young Iranian American poet grappling with grief, addiction, and the aching question of what makes a life meaningful. Drawn into an unexpected friendship with a terminally ill artist, he begins to confront faith, love, and the seduction of self-destruction. Lyrical, darkly funny, and emotionally piercing, the novel wrestles with beauty and despair in equal measure. It’s a story about longing—to be seen, to be forgiven, and to matter. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Free Communal Garden Class Series GROWING MUSHROOMS In this class, we will discuss how to raise mushrooms on logs outdoors as a way to raise food in parts of your yard that are usually too shady to grow vegetables or other crops. We will discuss what mushroom species can be cultivated, what tree species they can grow on, and demonstrate how to prepare and inoculate the logs. By following these steps, you can have your own bountiful mushroom harvest! APRIL 27 | 6:00-7:30 PM | WELLS BARN 1851 E BROAD ST, COLUMBUS, OH 43205 INSTRUCTOR: MARC AMANTE Mare Amante is an Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator with Central State University who is also currently serving as CSU Extension's Agriculture and Natural Resources Interim Program Leader. He has worked on and managed diversified vegetable farms across the Midwest and currently owns and operates an urban farm here in Ohio where he raises microgreens, vegetables, raspberries, and log-grown mushrooms for sale to local markets and restaurants. Registerefor free here https://www.fpconservatory.org/events/cg-growing-mushrooms/

**Our May novel is: *The Quiet Librarian* by Allen Eskens** **This month’s book is set in the 20th century and mixes historical fiction with suspense and thriller elements. It also centers on women’s stories and relationships. The novel is 368 pages in print or 8 hours and 12 minutes on audiobook.** Hana Babic is a quiet, middle-aged librarian in Minnesota who wants nothing more than to be left alone. But when a detective arrives with the news that her best friend has been murdered, Hana knows that something evil has come for her, a dark remnant of the past she and her friend had shared. Thirty years before, Hana was someone else: Nura Divjak, a teenager growing up in the mountains of war-torn Bosnia—until Serbian soldiers arrived to slaughter her entire family before her eyes. The events of that day thrust Nura into the war, leading her to join a band of militia fighters, where she became not only a fierce warrior but a legend—the deadly Night Mora. But a shattering final act forced Nura to flee to the United States with a bounty on her head\*\*.\*\*

Join us for our May Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *[Cantoras](https://caroderobertis.com/books/cantoras/)*[ ](https://caroderobertis.com/books/cantoras/)by [Caro de Robertis](https://caroderobertis.com/bio/) in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

Join us for pizza and conversation at Stone Bar & Kitchen 🍕 Good slices, good stories, and plenty of laughs around the table. Come hungry, bring your best conversation, and let’s enjoy a relaxed evening with great company. Extra cheese and extra chatter encouraged! 😄