Secretly Vegan

A hands-on in-person cooking class culminating in a dinner served with wine and beer. This class is limited to 14 students. Review our registration and cancellation policies here. 

You’ve been invited to dinner. The menu is extraordinary—layers of flavor, dishes that pull you in and won’t let go. Deeply satisfying. You beg for the culinary secrets, expecting lashings of cream, a nod to butter, or at least a wink from bacon. But no. The answer surprises you.

“It’s all vegan,” your host says, with a satisfied smile.

In this class, we’ll explore the secret world of plant-based cooking that doesn’t shout its identity but quietly impresses even the most skeptical palate. No packaged vegan cheeses. No processed imitation meats. Just the kind of savory depth that feels like a bear hug from a meal.

We’ll wield the magic of whole foods—everyday ingredients transformed into something utterly remarkable. For vegans. For omnivores. For anyone who eats.

MENU

Umami Faux Meat Broth with Heirloom Beans & Herbs

Miso Caesar Salad with Brazil Nut Parmesan Cheese and Shiitake Bacon

Umami Packed Roasted Seasonal Vegetables 

Roasted Mushroom & Scallion Creamy Pasta Bake

Chocolate Coconut Mousse with Salty Toasted Coconut Flakes

This menu contains the following common allergens: Soy, Tree Nuts, Wheat. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions that concern your ability to cook along, please e-mail info@18reasons.org before purchasing a ticket.

Let’s Cook Together! 

Marie Brennan is a vegetable enthusiast, keen fermenter and an avid traveler. Her explorations are fueled by the desire to find her next pantry staple and learn yet another way to use onions. Her culinary focus is vegetarian, Californian cuisine that is imbued with global flavors. Her classes are known for their healthyish and punchy flavors as well as her non-dogmatic and enthusiastic approach to food. 

Marie graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in Dietetics and in 2014 moved to the Bay Area to attend culinary arts school. She stayed for the produce and the sunshine. Marie lives in Berkeley California and works as an educator, consultant, private chef and recipe developer. You can learn more about Marie at www.hedonistinmoderation.com

_{Photo credit: Marie Brennan}