Castro Valley Marketplace

FARMcurious: Mastering Non-Alcoholic Beverage Pairings for Dry January and Beyond
2022-01-08 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Pop Out Kitchen #203, 3295 Castro Valley Boulevard, Suite 203, Castro Valley, CA, 94546, United States
Non-alcoholic beverage consumption is on the rise and, though wine is a classic cheese pairing, the NAB options continue to grow and improve. Explore some incredible and sometimes surprising pairings with instructor Nicole Easterday, who will use classic flavor rules like sweet with salty, herbal with mineral, complements and counterpoints to take you on a tour of non-alcoholic beverages paired with your favorite cheeses. Whether you don’t drink alcohol at all or are just interested in playing with flavors, be prepared to be surprised and delighted by the world of pairings beyond beer, wine and cider! This is an all-ages workshop
This workshop is taught by Nicole Easterday, the founder of FARMcurious. Nicole is an engaging teacher who encourages a fun, social environment while she explains what’s happening in a very down-to-earth format.
Location: FARMcurious at the Castro Valley Marketplace, 3295 Castro Valley Blvd, Castro Valley, CA.
If you use Facebook, be sure to join our event here to access photos and messages about class.
This is an all-ages workshop. Please see our cancellation policy here.
COVID-related information:
Proof of vaccination status will be required to participate. Please note, we’ll make every reasonable attempt to verify vaccination status of each person in your group, but we ask you to realize it’s not a perfect system. Any risk related to attending this activity is your own.
We run the class with windows open (weather permitting) and HEPA filters constantly circulating the air.
Please note that all attendees must be masked at all times except when actively taking a bite of cheese or taking a drink. Please stay home if you have a fever, are experiencing any COVID-like symptoms for may have been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19.
Terms and Conditions – By attending a FARMcurious event, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
Sold out?? Try our waiting list! If your desired date is sold please call or email to be placed on our waiting list (info@farmcurious.com or 510.877.9955).
Interested in a private party? We offer private events for birthdays, bachelorettes, etc. We also offer team-building workshops for businesses and special interest groups (like parent’s clubs, scout troops, etc). Contact Nicole directly for more information at nicole@farmcurious.com.

Learn to Build Stunning Holiday Cheese & Charcuterie Boards
2021-12-03 18:00 - 19:30 | Pop Out Kitchen #203, 3295 Castro Valley Boulevard, Suite 203, Castro Valley, CA, 94546, United States
Learn to build a show-stopping cheese and charcuterie board for the holidays in this deliciously fun all-ages workshop. We’ll discuss selecting a special variety of cheese that will wow any type of guest, demystify the cheese counter, give tips on buying and tasting cheese, and show you how to pair it. Then we’ll use a broad selection of accompaniments to create a plate that everyone will want to take a photo of before they dig in. Learn how to make the ‘salami river’, charcuterie roses, lotus flowers, the cheddar cascade and so much more!
You’ll be able to take your newly completed 10″x10″ board home to share with loved ones (or enjoy it all on your own!). These are small boards intended to appetize 2-4 people.
Taught by Nicole Easterday, ACS Certified Cheese Professional, this robust class promises to be so much more than a ‘make a pretty platter’ class (though it will be that too!) Nicole is an engaging teacher who encourages a fun, interactive environment while she explains what’s happening in a very down-to-earth and friendly format.
Attendees will leave this class with:

A complete cheese and charcuterie board to enjoy at home (10″x10″)
A fresh appreciation for the magic that is cheese
Confidence and knowledge to reproduce the same results at home

This class open to all ages but please make sure your child is mature enough to be focused and engaged for the length of the workshop.
Location: As listed in options menu
Please see our cancellation policy here.
Interested in a private party? We offer private events for birthdays, bachelorettes, etc. We also offer team-building workshops for businesses and special interest groups (like parent’s clubs, scout troops, etc). Contact Nicole directly for more information at nicole@farmcurious.com.

FARMcurious: Build An Instagram-Worthy Cheese & Charcuterie Board
2021-07-23 18:30 - 20:00 | Pop Out Kitchen #203, 3295 Castro Valley Boulevard, Suite 203, Castro Valley, CA, 94546, United States
Visit FARMcurious’ website to register.
Learn to make the best cheese plate possible in this deliciously fun workshop. Nicole Easterday with FARMcurious will discuss selecting cheese that will wow any type of guest, demystify the cheese counter, give tips on buying and tasting cheese, show you how to pair it then organize it on a plate that everyone will want to take a photo of before they dig in.

FARMcurious: Iron Chèvre - Goat Cheese Making & Pairing
2021-07-11 18:30 - 21:00 | The Hive (Suite 205), 3295 Castro Valley Boulevard, Suite 205, Castro Valley, CA, 94546, United States
Learn to make one of the easiest cheeses around (fresh goat cheese) with Nicole Easterday of FARMcurious and then try your hand at pairing it with a vast array of fun ingredients Nicole supplies to create the perfect bite.
Nicole will teach you to be the envy of your friends by crafting a truly simple cheese at home that looks like you spent years at a culinary institute. Full of hints for fitting this already simple cheese into your busy schedule, FARMcurious’ quick weeknight workshop will leave you with no more excuses. You’ll be making cheese before you know it!
Reserve your spot here!
Iron Chèvre – Goat Cheese Making & Pairing Event
Sunday, July 11, 2021
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
at Pop Out Kitchen suite 205 on the mezzanine of Castro Valley Marketplace

FARMcurious: Weeknight Mozzarella & Burrata Party
2021-06-17 18:00 - 19:00 | Pop Out Kitchen #203, 3295 Castro Valley Boulevard, Suite 203, Castro Valley, CA, 94546, United States
Visit FARMcurious’ website to register.
An all-ages cheese appreciation celebration perfectly designed for summer. Learn to stretch fresh mozzarella curd, turn some into burrata and pair it with garden tomatoes for the perfect summer snack.
This event begins with pre-made deliciously cultured mozzarella curds and hot water. You’ll take some time learning the techniques of stretching curd in a very laid-back format, snacking all the while. Next, Nicole Easterday with FARMcurious will show you how to hand-craft burrata made the FARMcurious way – with crème fraîche embellished filling.
Add some garden tomatoes, basil and other delicious things and you’ve got the perfect summer evening’s treat.

FARMcurious: Around the World Cheese Tasting Class
2021-05-20 18:00 - 19:30 | Pop Out Kitchen #203, 3295 Castro Valley Boulevard, Suite 203, Castro Valley, CA, 94546, United States
Visit FARMcurious’ website to register.
Some marriages are just meant to be. Janet Fletcher will be our guide to taste seven wines and seven cheeses that are made for each other. Learn how to create the kind of matches that make sparks fly.
In-person classes are back on! The world is full of incredible cheese offerings and this cheese tasting class will bring the best of the best to your plate! From France’s incredible softies to Alpine treasures, the best of the US, and some that may even surprise you, we’ll take you on a whirlwind tour of seven of the most delightful cheeses in the world. Thoughtfully paired with a glass of wine and the knowledge of a Certified Cheese Professional, your palate and soul will be singing by the time you leave.

Attendees will leave this wine and cheese pairing class with:

A new appreciation for the magic that is cheese.
Insightful tasting notes on some amazing cheeses
Confidence and knowledge to shop for specialty cheese.
Ideas for a few fail-proof wines to pair with cheese – never again at a loss before a dinner party!

Taught by Nicole Easterday, who has owned and operated FARMcurious for over a decade. She teaches science-focused cheesemaking and fermenting classes for enthusiasts, chefs, and for team-building in the San Francisco Bay Area and virtually. Nicole is a traveling cheese educator, an American Cheese Society Certified Cheese Professional, ACS Subject Matter Expert and public speaker. She received her artisan cheesemaking certificate from the College of Marin in 2011, placed in Cheesemonger Invitational in 2019 and received her ACS Certified Cheese Professional certification in 2019.
COVID-related information:
Please note that all attendees must be masked at all times except when actively taking a bite of cheese or taking a drink.

Crafting Brie & Camembert at Home, a Multi-Day Follow-Along Virtual Event (FAVE) - Nov 14, 15, 28
2020-11-28 11:00 - 12:00, 2020-11-15 11:00 - 12:00, 2020-11-14 15:00 - 16:30 | Virtual
Learn to craft some of the most decadent cheese the world has to offer. Brie & camembert seem like magical cheeses but they’re actually some of the easiest to make at home with very little special equipment required. We’ll show you how in this two (or 3!)-day class, complete with edible homework.
Day 1 has us starting the cheese, talking about the bloomy rind category and the science behind that gorgeous rind. You’ll take care of your little cheese baby overnight per our instructions and then on Day 2 we’ll talk about aging it to perfection over the next 3-6 weeks.
Day 3 (optional) – We’ll check in 2 weeks later to take a look at your cheese’s progress, address any questions/concerns you may have and make any necessary course correction. This day is optional but if you can swing it I highly recommend it! You learn the most by trying something on your own and coming back with relevant questions!
Tiny brie wheels make a show-stopping gift and one gallon makes 6-7 mini 4″ wheels!
Dates/Times: Sat, Nov 14, 2020 from 3-4:30pm and Sun, Nov 15, 2020 from 11am-12pm
Optional Checkin: Saturday, Nov 28, 2020 11am-12pm.
Location: Zoom; Log-in instructions will be sent a few days before class
For details and to get your tickets, visit https://www.farmcurious.com/products/crafting-brie-camembert-fave
