Happy February,
Our family started the year by visiting my aunt and uncle’s farm in Alexandria, Minnesota. They bought a farm about 10 years ago to raise cattle, chickens, hay and vegetables. They cooked us a delicious dinner using ingredients almost entirely harvested at the farm. It was a clear reminder about the importance of knowing where our food comes from and enjoying food together. Thank you, Carl and Laurie.
Tanpopo Studio Monthly Meetup
Starting in February, we’ll be hosting a monthly meetup at a local coffee shop. It’s an opportunity for you to learn more about upcoming tours. Moreover, there will be a monthly discussion topic about Japan, cooking, learning Japanese, travel tips and more. The kickoff meeting is scheduled on Monday, Feb. 12 from 7-8pm at Quixotic Coffee Shop in Highland Park, Saint Paul. Meet the Tanpopo Studio Team and learn about ramen! We’ll have ramen chef(s) there to to share tips on making your own ramen. It is free, but space is limited.
Please send us an email (koshiki@tanpopojourneys.com), if you are interested in attending.
April Guided Tour to Japan
We have 4 more seats available for the April Food Tour. If you haven’t thought about your Spring vacation yet, please consider joining the group. We have a few weeks left before registration closes. Jakfoto Film, photographers and filmmakers, will be there to capture the moment. This is a great chance to travel Japan in good company!
Hands-on Sushi Workshops
In January, we hosted a sushi workshop at Blu Skye Acres in Saint Croix Falls, Wisconsin. On a snowy Sunday afternoon, about ten of us gathered around of a large farm kitchen to learn how to make sushi together. From the kitchen window, you can see horses in the pasture and the surrounding forest. It felt like a mini-vacation in the woods.
There will be another workshop in February. If interested, please sign-up
New Team Members at Tanpopo Studio
We are excited to announce new team members – Lucas Erie and Zach Hurdle.They are both passionate about Japan, culture,food, travel and also speak Japanese. Lucas and Zach will be helping us with booking, marketing and communications and will be at our monthly meetup.
If you have any questions, we’d love to hear from you.
Happy Travels,
Koshiki and Benjamin Smith
612-850-2138
ニュースレター：２０１8 年２月号
あっという間に二月になりましたが、皆様いかがお過ごしでしょうか？
私たちは新年早々に、ミネソタ州の西に位置する Alexandria にある叔父と叔母の農場にお邪魔しました。叔父と叔母は１０年ほど前に牛の飼育を始め、今は鶏の飼育に加え野菜も栽培しています。とても寒いお正月に私たちを迎えてくださり、農場で採れた食材を使って温かい夕食でもてなしてくださりました。私がいつも大切にしている食材のルーツや、家族の大切さを改めて目の当たりにした貴重なひと時でした。
先月開催されました、お寿司のワークショップはお陰様で満員となりました。また今月25日にウイスコンシンで行いたいと思います。お時間のある方は是非いらして下さい。
今月は、タンポポスタジオに新しくスタッフが2名加わることになりました。主にマーケティングに携わってくれます。さらに、今月から月一回、コミュニティーミーティングを始めたいと思います。日本の文化、言葉、食べ物、などについて皆さんで語り合えればと思っています。無料ですので時間のある方は是非参加ください。
では、寒く雪の多い季節ですが、風邪や怪我をせぬようお気をつけ下さい。
タンポポスタジオ
米村古紫季
