Classes offer hands-on lessons in meal prep

Walter Rhee is back with a round of June cooking classes at the new Palama Market in Kalihi. He is offering students the chance to do hands-on cooking. Class sizes are limited.

All classes are $80 except for "Secrets of Making Sushi Rolls — All Hands On," which is $99.

To reserve a spot email walter@waltereatshawaii.com or call 391-1550.

» Friday: "Korean Seafood," 4:30 to 6:45 p.m.

» Saturday: "Korean-Chinese Cooking," 4:30 to 6:45 p.m.

» June 26: "Korean Side Dishes (Namools and Beyond)," 5:30 to 7:15 p.m.

» June 27: "Ultrafast Meals in 19 Minutes or Less," 4:30 to 6:45 p.m.

» June 28: "Secrets of Making Sushi Rolls — All Hands On," 4:30 to 6:45 p.m.

Make your own chocolate bar at Kailua shop

Madre Chocolate master chocolatiers Nat Bletter and Dave Elliott will share their cacao knowledge at weekly Make Your Own Artisan Dark Chocolate Bar! classes.

The sessions run 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. every Thursday this year in Madre’s Kailua shop.

Students will learn about the origins of chocolate and taste the cacao bean in three different forms, then make their own bar using a selection of fruits, nuts and spices. Cost is $25.

Elliott will hold a beer and chocolate pairing, 7:30 to 9 p.m. June 20. Cost is $40.

Madre Chocolate events are held at the storefront at 20-A Kainehe St. Call 377-6440. Sign up for events at madrechocolate.eventbrite.com.

Students go big with donation of vegetables

Students in the Hawaii Community College agriculture program met their goal of growing and donating 1,000 pounds of vegetables to the Food Basket in Hilo.

The 22 students were enrolled for the last semester.

"It sounded daunting in the beginning of the fall," student Lenny Fujimoto said in an email. "A thousand pounds?! I thought, ‘We need to grow watermelons or something.’"

Ande Buskirk, a coordinator for the program, said the vegetables were important because the Food Basket receives mostly canned goods. She noted that much of the 1,000 pounds came from lightweight greens and other edibles.

"Twenty pounds of lettuce is three huge coolers full," Buskirk said.

Author to share recipes and tips on vegan fare

Learn about the benefits of a vegan diet and how to turn inexpensive ingredients into tasty fare when Ori Ann Li, author of "Ori Ann Li’s Vegan Paradise: 65 Unforgettable Recipes," leads a cooking workshop June 21.

In the lineup: a Chinese long rice and veggie salad with a tropical twist, a Southern Italian eggplant and tempeh pasta, and an herbal tea made with local plants.

Li has a certificate in plant-based nutrition from Cornell University and is trained in ayurvedic and traditional Chinese nutrition.

The class runs 9 a.m. to noon at Kapolei High School, portable 1. Cost is $15, $40 for families of three.

Call Chelsey at 220-4166. To register, visit goo.gl/fBd4au.