Anyone Interested in Sushi Making Classes?

Feature Image Photo credit: shashinjutsu / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA

Anyone interested in sushi making classes? As part of the 2015 Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival, Philadelphian’s are invited to learn how to make sushi, Japan’s favorite culinary art, during sushi-making classes hosted by Madame Saito, one of Philadelphia’s best culinary artists and educators . Attendees can master their maki skills for their own at-home fun or they can use their new skills to compete in Madame Saito’s Amateur Sushi Making Contest on Wednesday, April 8^th. If people would rather watch the competition than participate, they’ll enjoy hors d’oeuvres, sake, wine and craft beer.

The sushi-making classes will be held on Wednesday, April 6, 2015 and Friday, April 10, 2015 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at The HeadHouse Craft Beer Café at 122 Lombard Street in Society Hill for a cost of $50 per person. Participants can register by visiting Queen of Sushi.  The Amateur Sushi Making Competition will be held on Wednesday, April 8 at 6:30 p.m. at Tokio Headhouse, 122-124 Lombard Street in Philadelphia. Advance registration is required for $25 by calling 215-922-2515 or 215-922-1223.

Madame Saito was an instructor at Temple University’s Center City Campus for over 20 years and has long given sushi demonstrations at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the University of Pennsylvania, and many other public and private events. A testament to her 29-year dedication to teaching about sushi and Japanese culture, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Education from Temple University Center City in April 2009. The American Culinary Federation (AFC) also named her Chef of the Year in 2010.

Additional Festival events include the Cherry Blossom 10K & 5K on Saturday, April 11 as well as a free film screening of the Japanese film The Wind Rises. During the week, there will be a food tasting, kaiseki dinner and more. Everyone is invited to attend Sakura Under the Stars, the Festival’s fundraising event, on the evening of April 11th at the Union Trust in Philadelphia. The centerpiece of the Festival is Sakura Sunday on April 12 at the Horticultural Center in West Fairmount Park, an event that celebrates all things Japanese by offering a full day of world-class traditional music and dance performances, colorful crafts, karaoke and activities for all ages.  A complete listing of events and additional information is available online at subarucherryblossom or by calling 267-348-0250.

The Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival is a project of the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia (JASGP) created with tremendous support from Subaru of America, Inc. as title sponsor.  The project aims to foster a better understanding of the cultural, social, and educational customs of Japan building on the JASGP commitment to plant and maintain cherry trees in local parks.  To date, JASGP has planted more than 1,000 cherry trees, supplementing the 1,600 flowering trees presented by the Japanese government as a gesture of friendship in 1926.  Upon completion of its 1,000-tree pledge in 2007, the JASGP shifted its focus to plantings in community and neighborhood parks to help green and beautify urban communities.  Since 2008, cherry trees have been planted in Clark Park, Franklin Square, and Morris Park.