Limited availability for early bird discount until Mar 1
Event Information
- Date:Saturday, Mar 15, 2025
- Time:13:00-16:00
- Location:2F, No. 18, Section 3, Chongqing N. Rd., Datong District, Taipei City
|MRT| About a 3-minute walk from Daqiaotou Station Exit 3
- 【Option 1】Cooking Experience + Lecture + Food Tasting (180 minutes in total)
- 【Option 2】Lecture + Food Tasting (15:10-16:00, 50 minutes in total)
- 【Option 3】Online Synchronous Lecture Sharing (15:10-16:00, 50 minutes in total)
- 【Option 4】Watch the Lecture Video (Approximately 50 minutes)
For more details, click on the ticket to see the description.
About Iran
Iran boasts a profound historical and cultural heritage, making it a country full of charm and appeal. Its rich cultural legacy includes 27 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Located in West Asia and the Middle East, Iran borders Armenia, Azerbaijan, and other countries to the north, Turkey and Iraq to the west, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to the south, and Pakistan and Afghanistan to the east. Human activity in Iran dates back to the Paleolithic era, and since the 4th millennium BCE, the land has witnessed numerous illustrious periods, including the Median Kingdom, the Achaemenid Empire, and the Sassanian Empire.
Iran is a multi-ethnic country where Persian is the primary language, but Azerbaijani Turkish, Kurdish, Arabic, and several other languages are also spoken. Iran's artistic and literary achievements are significant, with Persian poetry and literature holding a vital place in world literary history. Its unique culinary culture, featuring a variety of dishes based on rice, meat, and vegetables, further enhances Iran's appeal.
About Persian Halva
Halva (حلوا) is a dessert that originated in Iran (Persia) and has spread widely to the Middle East and South Asia, with its presence in many countries such as Azerbaijan, Greece, India, Myanmar, and Turkey…etc. The term "halva" originated in Persia (modern-day Iran) and first appeared in the 7th century, initially referring to a mixture of dates and milk. By the 9th century, this term was used to describe various confections, including the sweetened, cooked semolina or flour paste we know today.
Many early Persian recipes are recorded in the 13th-century Arabic book Kitab al-Tabikh (The Book of Dishes) and a 13th-century anonymous Andalusian cookbook. Halva was adopted by the Ottoman Turks, who developed sesame-based versions and spread it throughout the empire.
In Iran, depending on the ingredients used and the region where it is prepared, halva comes in various flavors and shapes, such as Angupich halva, Umaj halva, Zardak halva, and Shahdaneh halva. The most common type is made from flour and oil, flavored with saffron and rose water, and appears yellow, brown, or dark brown. It is typically served at weddings, religious ceremonies, and funerals.
關於藏紅花米布丁Sholezard
Sholezard (شله زرد) is a traditional Iranian dessert with a history spanning several centuries. This delicious treat was initially served only on special occasions, such as the Persian New Year, Nowruz. Its distinctive bright yellow color comes from saffron, its main ingredient. Saffron, cardamom, and rose water are known as the holy trinity of Persian flavors, giving Sholezard its unique Persian taste and setting it apart from other rice puddings. Nowadays, Sholezard is also enjoyed during iftar, the meal to break the fast during Ramadan.
- Reference Source 1Shole Zard شله زرد -Persian Saffron Rice Pudding
- Reference Source 2شله زرد
- Reference Source 3Sholezard
EVENT DETAILS
View this post on Instagram
1) Cook together:Halva,Sholezard
(Work together in groups)
2) Learn about Iran and its dessert culture(Presentation)
3) Tasting
Halva,Sholezard
(Images for reference only; actual results may vary based on participants' cooking)
- Halva,Halva Ingredients:
sugar, water, flour, vegetable oil, green cardamom powder, imported rose water, cinnamon powder, coconut powder, almonds, and pistachio slices. - Sholezard Ingredients:
rice, imported saffron, water, sugar, imported rose water, cardamom powder, almond slices, cinnamon, and coconut powder.
※The event will be conducted in English with Chinese translation.
We carefully design and simplify the process, handling the most challenging parts first, so participants can easily and successfully complete exotic dishes with a sense of accomplishment!
In our hands-on experience events, the focus is on “interacting with local people or instructors” and creating a warm atmosphere of “preparing the table together.”
It’s similar to preparing a dinner with locals in their homes, where each person has different tasks, but we “do not specifically emphasize learning cooking skills.”
This is different from a professional cooking class, which places more emphasis on teaching the techniques of cooking. If you are interested in learning how to cook international cuisine, we have other cooking classes available for you to choose from, or you can always contact us anytime!”
The experiential cooking activity focuses primarily on providing participants with an immersive experience of local culture and the taste of unique international cuisines. Therefore, please understand that the venue does not have a professional kitchen like in a culinary course.
Our event primarily aims to introduce participants to rare or exotic cuisines that are seldom tasted in Taiwan. Due to the higher cost of ingredients required for these exotic dishes, we will serve appropriate portions to ensure a full experience of these unique cuisines. However,we cannot guarantee that every participant will be fully satiated,please understand this. We hope you enjoy this unique culinary experience.
This is not a restaurant, nor is it a professional cooking class. Instead, it is a unique experience that invites you into a foreigner's home to cook and enjoy food together. We will warmly welcome you as a guest in our home, just like the locals do, rather than providing traditional restaurant services. Therefore, please understand that we cannot offer restaurant-style service on site.
Who is suitable to participate in this workshop?
- Those who enjoy international cuisine and culture
- Those who are interested in international cooking
- Anyone can join, even without any cooking experience
About the Instructor
Mona
音樂家
Co-founder of M.A Productions
Mona, a musician from Iran, is the only professional Daf (Iranian traditional drum) player in Taiwan. She is widely invited to perform at various events. Together with her husband, Ali, she founded M.A Productions in Taiwan, where she also teaches Daf.
Mona is not only a professional musician but also excels in cooking authentic Iranian cuisine! Growing up, her mother frequently hosted guests at home, preparing lavish meals by hand. Inspired by her mother, Mona has inherited her culinary skills and can cook exceptional Iranian dishes.
Past Experiences
- Invited to perform at the 2023 New Taipei City Drum Festival
- Invited to perform at the 2023 Lin She Cultural and Arts Season "Improvisational Nomadic Series"
- Invited to perform at the 2023 Kuandu Arts Festival (Taipei National University of the Arts) – "Voices of the Wilderness – Mastaneh: Whispers from Central Asia"
- Invited to perform at the 2022 NCCU Arts Center
- Invited to perform at the 2022 Drum Lu Ji World Percussion Ensemble Annual Concert “World Percussion Carnival - Between Movement and Stillness”
- Invited to perform at the 2022 Taipei India Festival
- Invited to perform at the 2021 World Music Festival
- Invited to perform at the 2021 Hsinchu New Immigrant Cultural Life Festival
- Invited to perform at the 2020 International Migrants Day
- Invited for an interview with Taipei Broadcasting Station in 2023
- Invited for an interview with Taipei Metro Radio in 2022
- Conducted Daf drum workshops at National Taiwan University, Taipei National University of the Arts, National Sun Yat-sen University, and more
攝影/ 編輯:YK CLUB團隊。
Photos from Previous Events
Things to note
Full Refund:
- Applicants who request a refund at least 14 days before the course start date will receive a full refund, minus the applicable processing fee.
Partial Refund or Course Adjustment:
- Applicants who request a refund between 7 to 14 days before the course start date will receive a 50% refund, minus the applicable processing fee. Alternatively, they may choose to reschedule to another course date without any additional fees.
Transfer Conditions:
- Applicants who request a refund within 7 days of the course start date will not be eligible for a refund but may transfer their course spot to another person.
No Refund for Absence:
- If a participant misses the class on the start date due to personal matters, no refund will be issued.
Refund Application Process:
- Eligible participants should contact us via the official LINE for refund applications (LINE ID: @fgj6430a).
- Please provide your "Name," "Email," and "Order Number."
Course Cancellation Policy:
- If the course cannot be held as scheduled, the organizer will provide a full refund or assist participants in transferring to subsequent events.
10 minutes before the event starts.
Due to limited seating, we cannot accommodate non-ticketed accompanying persons for the event.
Please refrain from long-term recording or live streaming during the event. All content is the intellectual property of YK CLUB. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.