Youth Workshop: Soy You Think You Can Sushi?

Get ready to roll, slice, and create! Join us for a fun, hands-on evening where we’re turning the kitchen into a professional sushi bar. In this workshop, we’re mastering the art of sushi—showing you how to handle delicate ingredients and balance flavours to create a delicious, satisfying meal.

Whether you’re a fan of classic rolls or looking to try something new, you’ll get to build your own masterpiece. We’ll be practicing the difference between Maki (rice on the inside) and Uramaki (inside-out rolls). You’ll learn how to source safe, high-quality sushi-grade fish and how to prepare a variety of fresh fillings. This is the ultimate "impress your friends" skill for when you want a healthy, impressive meal at home.

We’ll focus on building confidence in the kitchen, practicing specialized knife skills together, and chatting about how to make customizable meals that fit your budget. Bring your appetite and your creativity for a night of skill-building and great food!

Date: Wednesday, March 25

Time: Doors open at 5:30 PM, workshop begins at 6:00 PM

Location: Growing Chefs Headquarters, London, Ontario – https://www.growingchefs.ca

Target Audience: This workshop is for youth aged 12 to 25.

This beginner-friendly workshop is all about creativity, individuality, and tasty food — no cooking experience needed!

In this workshop, you will:

• Icebreakers & Sushi Social: Kick off the night by getting to know each other and chatting about the history and "magic" of sushi—and how making it at home is easier than you think!
• Sourcing & Safety: Learn the essentials of food safety, specifically how to identify and source "sushi-grade" raw fish and keep your workspace clean.
• Julienne Like a Pro: Work as a group to master the julienne cut, finely slicing your vegetables into perfect matchsticks safely and efficiently.
• Maki vs. Uramaki: Learn the techniques for traditional Maki (seaweed on the outside) and Uramaki (rice on the outside) using bamboo rolling mats.
• Customise Your Creation: Visit our ingredient station to select your own mix of sushi-grade fish and crisp vegetables to tuck into your rolls.
• The Perfect Slice: Learn the trick to slicing your rolls into clean, bite-sized pieces without squishing your hard work.
• Dig In & Reflect: Share the meal you helped prepare with the group, compare different flavour combinations, and head home with a full stomach and new skills.

What you’ll need:

• Your appetite and enthusiasm!
• All ingredients, tools, and materials are provided.
• Bring a container if you want to take home leftovers.
• Closed-toe shoes appropriate for indoors (please change out of winter boots to help keep our space clean and safe).
• A hair tie or clip to secure long hair during food preparation.

Bringing a friend, sibling, or support person? Awesome — just let us know when you register so we can plan ahead.

This workshop is completely FREE! However, any donations made at checkout are appreciated and go directly towards funding future workshops.

RSVP through the Dandelion Event Page. Questions or need to update your RSVP? Email us at lcrc@lcrc.on.ca. If your plans change, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your spot to someone on the waitlist!

We’re committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive space for everyone. Let us know if you require accommodations to participate fully.

Accessibility:

Step-free entrance (no automatic door). Main bathroom upstairs; a staff bathroom on the main floor is available if needed (note: narrow walkway). Staff will assist as needed to ensure participants can access the space comfortably.

About Growing Chefs Ontario:

Growing Chefs Ontario is a non-profit connecting kids and youth with fresh, healthy food through hands-on culinary education. Their professional kitchen spaces give youth a safe, engaging place to explore cooking, nutrition, and teamwork. For this workshop, we’re excited to be borrowing their space! Learn more at https://growingchefsontario.ca

About YWHO:

Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) is a nonprofit initiative supporting youth aged 12 to 25 and their families by providing the right services at the right time and place. Services include mental health and substance use support, primary care, education/employment assistance, peer support, and more. YWHO also helps connect youth to workshops like this one. Learn more at https://youthhubs.ca

About Grow Cook Learn:

Grow Cook Learn is a project of the London Community Resource Centre (LCRC), building community through food literacy and food security while promoting health and wellness for all. Learn more at https://lcrc.on.ca

Disclaimers:

• Ingredient availability may vary.
• Allergen Note: Please be aware that these recipes may contain seafood, soy, and sesame. Participants who require specific food accommodations or preferences are encouraged to let us know when they register so we can best support your needs.
• Group Sharing: Participants will be working at shared ingredient stations to create their own rolls.
• Attendance Policy: To ensure a quality experience for all, please plan to attend the entire session. Arriving late will result in missing the introductions and vital nutrition information, while leaving early may result in your recipes not being completed.
• Email Subscription: Signing up for this workshop automatically adds you to our workshop invitation email list. We send updates on future Youth Workshops. You can request to unsubscribe at any time.