Indian food = My greatest weakness. I’m a sucker for any protein with the word “vindaloo” next to it, and Lord knows I have never turned down the carb-y magic that is naan. I’m also a huge sucker for a quality educational program — documentaries, DIY videos on youtube, a lecture on pitmasters and barbecue — whatevs. Combine food and offbeat educational subjects, and well, you have my version of nirvana. With this in mind, it makes good sense that I’m totally enthralled by Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe, located in the Courtyard complex on West Franklin Street.
The short story: Vimala’s was born out of a highly popular community dinner series operated by Executive Chef Vimala Rajendran. Through community investors, Vimala raised the funds to open a bricks and mortar location in 2010.
This young restaurant boasts a long list of accomplishments. It was recently voted Best New Restaurant in Orange/Chatham County in the Independent’s 2011 poll, and it was a finalist in several categories including Best Chef in Orange/Chatham County; Best Vegetarian Restaurant in Orange/Chatham County; & Best Indian Restaurant in the Triangle.
Vimala’s passion for feeding her community extends beyond her work in the kitchen. On weekends and some evenings, she turns her restaurant space into a DIY classroom with the help of Carrboro Greenspace leader and Vimala’s staffer Andrea Wood. Carrboro Greenspace hosts classes on subjects ranging from Wild Fermentation workshops (learn the process for making miso, yogurt and kombucha!) to Fabric Re-purposing workshops. Today I received an intriguing list of upcoming Carrboro Greenspace classes taking place at Vimala’s sustainable community hub. I mean restaurant.
Take a minute and check out the upcoming classes listed below, details also available on Vimala’s online calendar of events. Anything here catch your eye? What other types of food-centric programming would you like to see in Chapel Hill? Leave a comment now!
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Clothing & Fabric Repair/Re-purposing Workshop
with textile artist, Amelia Roberts
When: Sunday June 26th, 2-5pm
Where: Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe (in the Courtyard), 431 W. Franklin St, Chapel Hill
The focus of this workshop is to offer techniques for making common repairs to clothing and linens. With these skills we can avoid waste and keep clothing longer by repairing common things like holes in socks and knit shirts. We’ll also learn to hem and to make some very simple alterations. We may discuss techniques for re-purposing clothing as well, or “downgrading” it to a different function. We will teach you how to:
• Darn a sock
• Repair a seam
• Repair a hem
• Repair a zipper, as well as be able to tell when the zipper needs to be replaced
• Patch denim
• Hem pants
• Replace a button and an eye-hook.
• Tighten or loosen a seam
• Repair the binding on a blanket
Suggested donation: $30-40. Space is limited to 15 people. Reserve your space by emailing carrborogreenspace@gmail.com
Please bring things that need repairs and we can get you oriented. We will also bring samples to demonstrate techniques on and to practice with.
Wild Fermentation Workshop
with Rob Jones, Liane Salgado & Andrea Wood
When: Sunday July 10th 2-5pm
Where: Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe (in the Courtyard), 431 W. Franklin St, Chapel Hill
Make Kimchi, Sour Dough & Sauerkraut to take home. Learn the process for Miso, Amazake, Dosa/Idli, Buttermilk, Yogurt/Lebneh, Vinegar & Kombucha (Take home a mother to start your own tea at home). Tastings of Miso, Dosa/Idli, Kimchi, Sauerkraut, Kombucha and other fermented products.
Suggested Donation $35-40. Please bring 2-3 quart size water tight containers – glass is recommended.
Space limited to 15 students. Reserve your space by emailing carrborogreenspace@gmail.com
Cheese Making Workshop
with Laurel Shulman of Hillsborough Cheese Co.
When: Sunday August 7th, 2-5pm
Where: Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe (in the Courtyard), 431 W. Franklin St, Chapel Hill
Learn the general process of cheese making and history of traditional methods in relation to culture and environment. Make farmer’s cheese and paneer, stretch mozzarella and take these skills home to try with family and friends. Making your own cheese is a great way to cut down on packaging and have fun; We’ll also cover some local sources for milk (goat & cow). Suggested donation: $35-40. Space is limited to 15 people. Reserve your space by emailing carrborogreenspace@gmail.com
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