Discover New Flavors and Festive Twists This Season

Add warmth and creativity to your fall and winter gatherings with a trio of virtual cooking experiences with NY Chef, Gayatri Hingwala to celebrate global flavors, fresh ingredients, and seasonal favorites. Whether you’re looking to explore authentic Indian cuisine, reimagine holiday classics, or craft refreshing mocktails, these workshops offer something for every home cook.

* All classes will be held virtually on Zoom. Links will be emailed to you after registering.

1. A Taste of India: Three-Session Cooking Series
Thursdays, November 6, 13, and 20, 2025 | 4:00–5:30 p.m. ET

Journey through India’s diverse regions and discover how everyday ingredients transform into colorful, aromatic meals. Each week, you’ll prepare a full menu — from savory curries and spiced lentils to cooling raitas and classic Indian sweets.

• November 6: Gujarati Tadka Dal (sweet and savory lentils), roti, cucumber raita, and traditional Indian milk cake
• November 13: Mattar & Batata Shak (vegetable curry), parathas, and mango kachumber salad
• November 20: Chana Masala (spiced chickpea dish), sourdough naan, and saffron pistachio frozen yogurt

2. Delicious Meat-Free Thanksgiving Dinner

Celebrate with a healthy, delicious plant-based Thanksgiving meal or a crowd-pleaser for any special occasion. There will be a complete meal that includes a plant based harvest entree, side dish and dessert.  

Dishes include:

1. Lentil stuffed butternut squash
2. Vegan stuffing
3. Vegan pumpkin mousse

• Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2025
• Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• Register here: https://events.aarp.org/event/MeatFreeThanksgiving

3. Twists on Tradition: Holiday Meal Ideas
Tuesdays, November 18 and December 2, and Thursday, December 4, 2025 | 4:00–5:30 p.m. ET

Give your holiday table a fresh look with healthy, meatless dishes that don’t skimp on flavor. Learn how to bring color, nutrition, and creativity to sides, entrées, and desserts — perfect for entertaining or weeknight meals.

• November 18: Butternut squash and pear salad, creamy mushroom tartlets, masala smashed potatoes, and tahini dressing
• December 2: Lentil shepherd’s pie and apple cider sangria
• December 4: Holiday trifle, berry crumble, and apple pie parfait with lighter, lower-sugar options

4. Holiday Mocktails Workshop
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 | 4:00–5:00 p.m.

Raise a glass to the season with festive, alcohol-free drinks that impress. Discover how to make your own infused syrups and flavor blends while creating mocktails like the Shirley Ginger, Citrus Berry Smash, and Mango Mule.

Big Batch Meals to Save You Time

Ready to start meal prepping? Learn how to build better mealtime habits, save time, and keep weeknight meals exciting. This workshop covers easy meal prep ideas, tips, and tricks to make family dinners healthier, simpler, and more enjoyable.

Part I: Curried Quinoa
• Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2025
• Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Register here: Event closed

Part II: Mexican Quinoa Bowls
• Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
• Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Register here: Event closed

Part III: Overnight Oats & DIY Oatmeal Breakfast Bar
• Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2025
• Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00p.m.
• Register here: Event closed

Meet the Chef: Gayatri Hingwala

Gayatri is an experienced chef from the Albany area. She is a lifelong vegetarian who enjoys sharing heart healthy, low salt low sugar alternatives that we here at AARP appreciate. Understanding that many people want to simplify their lives and save time, Gayatri enjoys teaching and demonstrating flavorful healthy dishes that don’t take a lot of time to prepare.

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Discover more events and opportunities to engage with AARP New York and your community by visiting aarp.org/local.

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