UPCOMING EVENTS

Scroll down to learn more about our:
* COOKING CLASSES
* POP-UP DINNERS
* INDIGENOUS FOOD WORKSHOPS
* SCHOOL & NOT-FOR-PROFIT INDIGENOUS FOOD WORKSHOPS

At FoodZen, food is more than a meal—it’s an experience. Our Events page highlights upcoming opportunities to cook, learn, and connect with food in new ways across the Waterloo Region. From hands-on cooking classes and healthy meal prep workshops, to Indigenous food events and seasonal pop-up dinners, every FoodZen event is designed to celebrate whole foods, local ingredients, and community.

Learn practical skills like making fresh pasta, mastering meal prep, or building flavourful soups and stews in our cooking classes. Explore culture and tradition in our Indigenous food workshops, where we highlight recipes like Three Sisters soup and wild rice salad while teaching about food sovereignty and sustainability. Or, enjoy a memorable night out with our pop-up dinners, featuring chef-crafted seasonal menus and storytelling experiences.

Whether you’re a beginner in the kitchen or a passionate foodie, FoodZen events bring people together through food that nourishes both body and community.

Browse our events below to find your next experience with FoodZen—local, seasonal, and always made with whole foods.

Upcoming Cooking Classes

All classes are held at our 12 Queen Street East, Cambridge location
 - Cooking classes are open to anyone 12 years of age and older
 - No experience needed

If you need to cancel or reschedule, please email [email protected]

Instant Pot Confidence
FEB 5, 2026 ~ 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Tired of your Instant Pot collecting dust? It’s time to put it to work! In this 2.5-hour hands-on class, you’ll learn how to make fast, flavour-packed meals while mastering your Instant Pot’s most useful settings.

Come hungry! Together, we’ll cook and enjoy delicious food right in class.

Class includes:
How to safely use and clean your Instant Pot
How to adjust settings for soups, grains, and proteins
Tips for converting your favourite recipes
Recipes
- Maple BBQ Pulled Chicken
- Beef Short Ribs
- Chicken Thai Green Curry

Cost per person $60.00

Dietary information: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian Optional

Sign up!

Meal Prep for Busy People: Sheet Pan Edition
MAR 5, 2026 ~ 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Take the stress out of weeknight dinners with this 2.5-hour hands-on class focused on practical, delicious meal prep. You’ll learn how to create simple sheet pan meals that can be enjoyed fresh or frozen for another day.

Together, we’ll prepare two full meals designed for flavour, balance, and convenience. Perfect for busy families or professionals on the go.

Class includes:
How to build a balanced sheet pan meal (protein, veggies, and starch)
Tips for seasoning, roasting, and freezing meals safely
How to store and reheat for best results
Recipes
- Cajun Chicken & Sausage
- Teriyaki Salmon
Two dinners for 2 to take home

Cost per person: $60.00

Dietary information: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian Optional

Sign up!

Indigenous Food Workshops

Hello & Aanii, my name is Chef Destiny, the founder and executive chef of FoodZen as well as the founder and executive chef of Cedar Spoon Indigenous Catering.

I’m Indigenous on my mom’s side, part of the Ojibwe tribe from Rainy River, ON. My mom was part of the sixties scoop, which means she was taken from her community when she was 4 years old to live in foster care. When she was 6, she was adopted by a family here in Waterloo Region, where I was born and raised.

For many years we couldn’t celebrate our culture because we didn’t know what to celebrate. My grandmothers taught me how to cook at a very young age, and I could always feel the love in their food.

Food is my love language and has become my path to reconciliation, a way for me to heal, and to learn about the Indigenous foods of Canada. Food is holistic, it’s medicine and feeds the soul. No matter our culture, food is something we all have in common. One of the best places to listen and learn from each other is to break bread together and I’m excited to do that with you!

Thank you, Miigwetch 

INDIGENOUS FOOD WORKSHOPS

FoodZen welcomes community members, groups, and organizations to experience Indigenous food traditions through hands-on workshops that celebrate culture, connection, and great food. We can bring the experience right to your space anywhere across Southwestern Ontario.

Prefer to come to us? We’re happy to host your group at our kitchen located at 12 Queen Street East in Cambridge. There is a $100 facility fee for on-site workshops, and our space can comfortably accommodate up to 20 participants.

Travel note: For workshops outside Waterloo Region, a travel fee of $0.60 per km applies.

Option 1: Hands-On Workshop
Accommodates: Up to 30 participants

Cost: $30/person
Minimum: $450/session

During this 1 to 1.5 hour session, we will be making Three Sisters Soup and Wild Rice Salad together.

• The soup and salad are dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free and vegan.
• We talk about the Indigenous ingredients of Canada and how cows, pigs and chickens came with the settlers.
• We talk about the agriculture of Indigenous people with regards to the Three Sisters and food sovereignty.
• We talk about healthy eating and food waste.
• Each participant will enjoy a bowl of soup and wild rice salad. They will also be given a recipe card to recreate at home.
• Upon request, all cutting can be done in advance for the safety of the attendees.
• If there isn't a stove to use to heat the soup, I have a hot plate that is safe to use indoors and doesn't emit harmful radiation. 
here

Option 2: Tasting Workshop
Accommodates: Up to 100 participants

Cost: $35/person
Minimum: $500/session

During this 1-hour session, we will listen and learn about the Indigenous ingredients of Canada while enjoying a bowl ofThree Sisters Soup and a side of Wild Rice Salad.

• The soup and salad are dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free and vegan.
• We talk about the Indigenous ingredients of Canada and how cows, pigs and chickens came with the settlers.
• We talk about the agriculture of Indigenous people with regards to the Three Sisters and food sovereignty.
• We talk about healthy eating and food waste.
• Each participant will enjoy a bowl of soup and wild rice salad. They will also be given a recipe card to recreate at home.

Option 3: Catered Speaking Engagement
Accommodates: Unlimited

Session Cost: Discounted based on
catering cost

During this 1-hour (or more as requested) session, we will listen and learn about the Indigenous ingredients of Canada while you enjoy food catered by Cedar Spoon Indigenous Catering.

• We talk about the Indigenous ingredients of Canada and how cows, pigs and chickens came with the settlers.
• We talk about the agriculture of Indigenous people with regard to the Three Sisters and food sovereignty.
• We talk about healthy eating and food waste.

View Menu, please request a pricing list 

Option 4: Speaking Engagement
Accommodates: Unlimited

Cost: $25/person
Minimum: $500/session

During this 1-hour (or more as requested) session, we will listen and learn about the Indigenous ingredients of Canada.

• We talk about the Indigenous ingredients of Canada and how cows, pigs and chickens came with the settlers.
• We talk about the agriculture of Indigenous people with regard to the Three Sisters and food sovereignty.
• We talk about healthy eating and food waste. 

SCHOOL & NOT-FOR-PROFIT INDIGENOUS FOOD WORKSHOPS

FoodZen is proud to share Indigenous food traditions and knowledge with schools and not-for-profit organizations across Southwestern Ontario. Our hands-on workshops bring culture, learning, and delicious food right to your space.

We can also host your group at our kitchen located at 12 Queen Street East in Cambridge. Please note: groups choosing our location will have a $100 facility fee, and our kitchen can only accommodate up to 20 participants.

Travel note: For workshops outside Waterloo Region, a travel fee of $0.60 per km applies.

Option 1: Hands-On Workshop
Best for Ages: 13 years +
Accommodates: Up to 20 participants
* A $10 fee will be added to each additional participant

Cost: $300/session

During this 50-minute to 1-hour session, we will be making Three Sisters Soup and Wild Rice Salad.

• The soup and salad are dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free and vegan.
• Students will have the option to participate in cutting, cooking, mixing, etc.
• We talk about the Indigenous ingredients of Canada and how cows, pigs and chickens came with the settlers.
• We talk about the agriculture of Indigenous people with regards to the Three Sisters and food sovereignty.
• We talk about healthy eating and food waste.
• Each participant will enjoy a bowl of soup and wild rice salad. They will also be given a recipe card to recreate at home.
• Upon request, all cutting can be done in advance for the safety of the attendees.
• If there isn't a stove to use to heat the soup, I have a hot plate that is safe to use indoors and doesn't emit harmful radiation. 
here

Option 2: Tasting Workshop
Best for Ages: Any
Accommodates: Up to 100 participants

Cost: $10/person
Minimum: $400/session

During this 50-minute to 1-hour session, we will listen and learn about the Indigenous ingredients of Canada while enjoying a bowl ofThree Sisters Soup and a side of Wild Rice Salad.

• The soup and salad are dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free and vegan.
• We talk about the Indigenous ingredients of Canada and how cows, pigs and chickens came with the settlers.
• We talk about the agriculture of Indigenous people with regards to the Three Sisters and food sovereignty.
• We talk about healthy eating and food waste.
• Each participant will enjoy a bowl of soup and wild rice salad. They will also be given a recipe card to recreate at home.

Option 3: Speaking Engagement
Accommodates: Up to 100 participants

Cost: $500/session

During this 50-minute to 1-hour (or more as requested) session, we will listen and learn about the Indigenous ingredients of Canada.

• We talk about the Indigenous ingredients of Canada and how cows, pigs and chickens came with the settlers.
• We talk about the agriculture of Indigenous people with regard to the Three Sisters and food sovereignty.
• We talk about healthy eating and food waste.