Beginning this fall, local foodies and film buffs will be offered a tempting combination: The Downtown Market at UICA's "Big Screen Cuisine" series.
This interactive culinary and cinematic experience brings to life dishes inspired by classic and modern foodie film favorites, accompanied by a same-day movie screening. "Big Screen Cuisine" makes its debut Sunday, September 27.
Attendees will engage in a hands-on, top-level culinary food experience with fantastic food from local chefs. Attendees will also tour to the UICA to relax in the theatre and watch the paired movie with a new and personal understanding of the culinary scenes they're viewing. Depending on the experience, the culinary portion of the night may fall before or after the screenings. Tickets prices will vary.
Over the course of the year-round, once-monthly film series, guests will be treated to various lessons in creating delicacies such as chocolate, pastries, cocktails, and French cuisine, as well as wine tastings and charcuterie, an all ages cooking class, and even an occasional succulent chef's dinner.
"UICA and the Downtown Market are creating a deliberate connection between the sights and sounds of the film experience with the tastes and aromas of the local food culture," said Miranda Krajniak, UICA executive director. "Audiences can explore the UICA and broaden their knowledge of not only art, but food, film, and how they translate into a unified experience."
SCREENING SCHEDULE
September 27: Chocolat – chocolate class 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., movie at 5:30 p.m.
October 18: Sideways – wine tasting and charcuterie 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., movie at 5:30 p.m.
November 22: Ratatouille – all-ages cooking class 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., movie at 5:30 p.m.
December 6: Babette's Feast – movie at 3 p.m., chef's dinner at 5:30 p.m.
January 24: Hey Bartender – cocktail class and charcuterie 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., movie at 5:30 p.m.
February 21: The 1000-foot Journey – movie at 3 p.m., chef's dinner at 5:30 p.m.
March 27: Grand Budapest Hotel – pastry class 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., movie at 5:30 p.m.
April 17: Bottle Shock – wine tasting and charcuterie 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., movie at 5:30 p.m.
May 15: The Big Night – movie at 3 p.m., chef's dinner at 5:30 p.m.
June 26: Julie & Julia – movie at 3 p.m., French cooking class at 5:30 p.m.
July 17: Waitress – pie class 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., movie at 5:30 p.m.
August 28: Like Water for Chocolate – movie at 3 p.m., chef's dinner at 5:30 p.m.
More information can be found at www.downtownmarketgr.com and www.uica.org.
About the Grand Rapids Downtown Market:
The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is the region's new choice for fresh, delicious foods and amazing public market merchants. The Market is a $30 million, self-sustaining, LEED-certified, mixed-use facility that brings together production, distribution, marketing and education about local foods and growing. It incorporates entrepreneur and experimentation space for both emerging and experienced food artisans and merchants including a 24-vendor Market Hall and large outdoor farmer's market. More at www.downtownmarketgr.com.
About the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts:
Located on the busiest intersection in Grand Rapids, the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts builds creative community by fostering new forms of expression, promoting collaboration, and providing genuine experiences with contemporary art. Visit www.uica.org for more information.