Events

Looking for a fun way to meet new people in London, especially if you're new to the city? Or maybe you're just on the hunt for foodie friends who love Asian cuisine as much as you do? Either way, my Dumpling-Making Social Mixer is the perfect event for you!

You'll kick things off with a glass of Prosecco and dive into a 2.5-hour hands-on class led by Verna Gao, author of Have You Eaten? and all-around dumpling queen. Verna will show you how to make (and fold!) delicious chilli oil prawn wontons, crispy spring rolls, and spill her secrets on creating the perfect dumpling. Plus, she’s open to any questions about her love of all food, travels and everything in between.

Whether you’re here to learn new skills, find people to share your love of food with, or fingers crossed meet a future BFF (or maybe even more....), this interactive class has all the ingredients for a great night. Who knows, your dumpling-making partner could end up being your friend—or partner—for life (no promises, but hey, positive thinking!).

Soft drinks are included, and for those feeling fancy, a cash bar will be available. Grab a spot and get ready to roll, fold, and feast!

This UCL event will feature an online alumni panel discussion, followed by an audience Q&A.

This event is free.

Speakers and panelists include:

Chair

Amberlee Green - a Lecturer, Mental Health Practitioner and Illustrator in London.

Speakers

Verna Gao aka vernahungrybanana, is a civil engineer and ad tech girl turned social media content creator and influencer to 800k+ followers across TikTok and Instagram.

Leo Garbutt - the Administration and Events Coordinator of the Research on Research Institute at UCL.

Iesha Small - a communications professional with a side hustle.

Robert Vilkelis - whose passions and expertise are grounded in making learning experiences transformative.

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In May, Mama’s kitchen table is graced with the presence of self-confessed noodle obsessive Verna Gao (@vernahungrybanana). From 6.30pm Thursday 16th May, guests can enjoy a Spring Feasting Menu with eight dishes to share, prepared and hosted by Verna with the aim of encouraging guests to connect with the poignant emotions that great food can stir.

The bespoke menu will include Prawn Cracker Taco with mango salsa on a bed of avocado, Wontons with chilli oil; Shanghai-style Red Braised Pork Belly and Steamed Scallops, accompanied by vermicelli noodles in garlicky sauce; Silken Tofu in a light broth, and Matcha Mochi Brownies 😋 

Please note, this is a family style affair on long tables seated next to guests starting of as strangers, hopefully becoming friends.

This month’s Yummilicious! is joined by Verna, author of Have You Eaten?, and she’s going to be demonstrating some of her favourite dishes from the book while chatting all about food, culture and her current faves in London.

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Menu

Starter: Son-in-law eggs

Fish-fragrant aubergine with steamed rice

Mango sticky rice

A Lunar New Year celebration collaboration from vernahungrybanana & creative food company Dinner Ladies. The evening will include:

- A plentiful 5 course feasting menu, designed by Verna. The dishes are representative of her favourites, from both her cookery book as well as traditional lunar new year dishes. 

- The evening will start with a refreshing and spicy Sichuan peppercorn sour!

- Expect hot and sour soups, tofu with XO sauce, pan-fried baos with shiitake mushroom and chicken, Cantonese sticky rice, ants climbing tree vermicelli, smacked cucumber and fried milk!

- Dinner Ladies have run 8 successful years of sell-out Chinese new year events. 

Have You Eaten? is Verna Gao's debut cookbook, filled with vibrant, Asian-inspired recipes that are super fresh and packed with flavour. Easy to make and delectable to eat, there’s something for every occasion; whether you want to slurp fragrant, spicy noodles in a matter of minutes, sink into a soothing bowl of congee, or share a round of vegan baos or dumplings.

‘Have you eaten?’ is a question commonly asked in Asian culture when you first greet someone; the answer will not only let you know if your friends or loved ones are hungry, but also how they are feeling. These three words also epitomise what cooking means to Verna; they are an expression of love, a way of working out if a bowl of something comforting can help improve a mood or circumstance. In Verna’s words, ‘to me and many others, food always makes life better.’

Verna believes most of the time we decide what to eat based on how we are feeling; with chapters curated for every kind of mood, from Simplicity and Peace, Finding Balance, Food for Comfort, Food for
reminiscing to Sharing the Love, discover recipes guaranteed to satisfy.

To celebrate the release of her new book, Verna @vernahungrybanana is coming to Cookbookbake to chat and cook up a storm from her first cookbook ‘Have You Eaten?’.