** NEW June, July and August 2013 Classes Posted **
• All-American Classic Picnic Fare • Essential Summer Grilling • Wine Country Cuisine • Burmese Cuisine • Savory and Sweet Stonefruit Recipes • Moroccan Cuisine • Summer in Southern France • California-Style Tapas Party •
** NEW Summer Recipe Posted**
Strawberries with Cream Biscuits
A Little Taste of Who We Are
Epicurean Exchange inspires individuals to bring a sense of balance, empowerment, well-being and enjoyment to their lives by providing culinary experiences, adventures and education. Through our programs with corporations and individuals that focus on basic culinary skills, wellness and lifestyle enrichment, we strive to impart our philosophy; that embracing the day’s routines and rituals with greater awareness and commitment adds quality to life. The 'exchange' takes place in the environment we create; one of optimal learning and understanding between like-minded participants. We believe this environment encourages the commitment these individuals and work groups have made to more mindful living.
Professional Services
• Quarterly Cooking Class Schedule - Single Subject and Series Offerings
• Corporate Culinary Team Building Programs
• Interactive Cooking Programs - Custom Programs for Small Groups
• Cooking Demonstrations for Meetings and Special Functions
• Cooking Birthday Parties for Kids and Young Adults (and Grown-Ups)
• 'Kitchen Fitness' Lifestyle Transformation Programs - For Individuals and Families
• Private Cooking Instruction
• 'House Calls' - Private Chef Services
• Interactive Cooking Program Donations for Auctions and Fundraising
Our Professional Culinary Team
Chef Instructor, Charles Vollmar
Epicurean Exchange was founded in 1999 by Chef Charles Vollmar with the belief that awareness, simply applied, will help us define and meet professional and personal goals. Chef Vollmar is a popular chef, cooking instructor, foods and wellness consultant, writer, lifestyle coach and owner of Epicurean Exchange.
An honors graduate of the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, he trained at Chez Panisse and Wente and has been practicing Chef Instructor and Foods Educator for over 12 years, he is currently on staff at the French Culinary Institute in the South Bay, teaches privately in his Orinda home school and at leading cooking schools. As a foods and lifestyle consultant, he educates about and encourages positive lifestyle choices and proper foods selection, preparation and enjoyment through his Kitchen Fitness Lifestyle Program. His clients include private families, schools, health clubs, hospitals and clinics, and assisted living facilities. He has also produced and conducted countless Interactive Cooking Programs for businesses throughout the U.S. He is a featured writer for the Lamorinda Weekly, and the Orinda News with his column, Cooking Well, and is a Commissioner of the City of Orinda Parks and Recreation Department and a Board Member of the Orinda Historical Society.
Epicurean Exchange programs are staffed by knowledgeable food enthusiasts (sous chefs) who, along with the Chef, provide assistance to participants throughout the program. Each recipe is developed to provide a 'learning' element -- be it intricate knife skills work, sauce making, cooking techniques, pastry, or finishing and plating -- our team is there to assist with the process every step of the way.
Companies in the Kitchen
Epicurean Exchange was a pioneer in using the kitchen and the team-cooking concept as a vehicle for corporate gatherings. Since 1999, Epicurean Exchange has specialized in dynamic cooking events for businesses and organizations, inviting well over 300 groups to participate in our programs.
In a comfortable and stimulating environment, we provide culinary activities that mirror workplace challenges. In the kitchen, work groups prepare one of several courses from a seasonal menu and then sit down to enjoy the delicious results together. Employees learn about the impact their work styles have on each other and workplace situations. As a result employers can expect greater productivity and improved work group dynamics. Employees will approach professional situations with greater confidence and clarity, and will be motivated to embrace positive life skills. See full descriptions of our programs on the home page menu.