We've got a packed weekend of family-friendly activities for you to partake in at SoCo Collection in Costa Mesa. Still not certain what to check out? Here's a quick rundown.
On both Saturday and Sunday, coffee and tea afficionados and novices alike can explore their inner barista over afternoon workshops being held at Portola, Theorem and Seventh Tea Bar. Classes include Coffee Roasting, Latte Art and Tea+Food Pairing. Bookworms will appreciate LA Zine fest's pop-up book shop with signings by local authors. Families should make a stop at the Cultured Petting Zoo, hosted by Kombucha Kamp.
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Saturday weekend warriors will have many options to choose from, so go where your appetite takes you. If cooking demos are your thing, cut across the parking lot to Surfas. Reality show fans will want to see CJ Jacobson's presentation on wild California ingredients. Good Food listeners can watch Even Kleiman discuss cooking under pressure, but we believe she means a pressure cooking vessel (and not managing stress levels). We know the gluten-free cooking session will draw crowds looking for tasty alternatives. Sunday subjects include Japanese pickling, historic California recipes and salted caramel.
If you're wanting to meet the man behind the bread, Dean Kim of OC Baking Company will be on hand at the Bread Stage discussing all-purpose varieties. Those with iron stomachs should check out a Sriracha talk with Randy Clemens, then stay for Gustavo and Dave's burning announcement of the winner of OC Weekly-KCRW's hot sauce/salsa contest. Goat cheese lovers will hover for samples during a talk by Colin Smith-Clark of The OC Cheese Shop. The next day, Cooking Channel personality Aida Mollenkamp explores incorporating the use of cereal in lunch and dinner. Carnivores should watch Chef Paul Buchanan discuss meat preservation techniques before going on their next grocery run.
The Chuck Jones Gallery will host panels and hands-on activities. Inquiring minds have the opportunity to interact with experts on talks about fermented drinks, the health department and Mexican spirits. Russ Parsons from the LA Times will also moderate a discussion on food critics, so get your questions ready. Kids of all ages have their choice of projects like veggie stamp art and printmaking, natural watercolors and chocolate chip cookies.
A DIY stage is hosting a slew of topics. Roll up those sleeves for presentations on chili gremolata by Anepalco's own Danny Godinez and preserved lemons with Beth Manos Brickley of Tasty Yummies. Make your own bouquet garni, learn about skin food from Giselle Baturay, then go crazy for kimchi with Break of Dawn's Dee Nguyen. And once you're done feeding your mind, feed your belly. There's no shortage of great restaurants at The OC Mix.
For a complete schedule of Patchwork Show Edible Edition events, you can click here.
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A contributing writer for OC Weekly, Anne Marie freelances for multiple online and print publications, and guest judges for culinary competitions. A Bay Area transplant, she graduated with a degree in Hospitality Management from Cal Poly Pomona. Find her on Instagram as brekkiefan.