Dumpling-Making Class with Janet at Spade Kitchen

 

Looking for a fun and memorable thing to do in Dublin? Join Janet’s Dumpling-Making Class at Spade Kitchen and dive into the vibrant world of Chinese food culture through a hands-on, social cooking experience.

 

Led by RTÉ Takeaway Titans Winner 2022 and Dublin Cookery School tutor Janet, this intimate workshop guides you step by step through the art of making dumplings from scratch. You’ll learn how to roll dumpling wrappers, prepare fillings, and fold dumplings into a variety of traditional shapes. Filling options include pork, chicken, vegetarian, and vegan, so there’s something for everyone.

 

The class begins with live demonstrations, including how to make chilli oil and a classic smacked cucumber salad. You’ll then make your own dumplings before sitting down together to enjoy everything you’ve created, paired with Chinese tea in a relaxed, friendly setting.

 

Perfect for food lovers, beginners, and anyone looking for a unique cooking and social experience in Dublin.

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Highlights

 • Learn to make dumplings completely from scratch

 • Hands-on, interactive workshop in a small group setting

 • Expert guidance from an award-winning chef

 • Cook, eat, and socialise in a relaxed atmosphere

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On the Day

 • Duration: 2–2.5 hours

 • Live demonstrations and hands-on dumpling making

 • Learn multiple dumpling folding techniques

 • Steam and boil your dumplings before enjoying them together

 • Served with Chinese tea

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Group & Private Bookings

 

This experience is ideal for team-building events, birthdays, hen parties, corporate events, school groups, and private celebrations.

 • Group bookings: Please email Janets.dublin@hotmail.com

 • Individual bookings: Book directly through our website

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​Vegan January Janet's Home-style Chinese Dinner (9th of Jan,book online)

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In Ireland, it can be surprisingly difficult to find a Chinese dining experience that is entirely vegetarian or vegan. For Janet, however, plant-based Chinese cooking is not a trend — it’s something deeply rooted in her upbringing.

 

Janet’s mother has been a practising Buddhist and vegetarian for over 20 years. Growing up in this environment, Janet often followed her mother in eating vegetarian meals and learned how to cook Chinese dishes without meat from a young age. Through years of experience, she developed a deep understanding of how to create flavourful, balanced, and satisfying vegetarian Chinese food using vegetables, tofu, and traditional seasonings.

 

This Vegan January dinner is Janet’s way of sharing those personal memories and skills at the table, offering guests in Ireland the chance to experience thoughtful, comforting, and genuinely delicious plant-based Chinese home cooking.

Evening Flow (approx. 2.5–3 hours)

 

🥢 Welcome & Demo Part 1

 

Cold Dishes & Small Plates (25–30 minutes)

 

The evening begins with refreshing Chinese cold dishes and a cup of fragrant jasmine tea. Janet will welcome guests, introduce herself, and share her philosophy on vegetarian Chinese cooking — where “vegetarian” does not mean bland, but instead focuses on depth, balance, and layers of flavour.

 

Served & demonstrated:

 • Smacked cucumber salad (demonstration included)

 • Jasmine tea

 • Mala king oyster mushroom cold dish (demonstration included)

 • Served alongside scallion pancake as a starter

 

🔥 Demo Part 2

 

Hot Dish & Main Demonstration (30 minutes)

 

Janet will demonstrate a plant-based take on a classic Chinese favourite:

 • Vegan Lazi “Chicken” (plant-based version)

A step-by-step demonstration showing how bold, spicy flavours can be achieved without meat.

 

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🍽 Sit Down Dinner

 

Shared Meal & Conversation (30–40 minutes)

 

Guests will then sit down together to enjoy the full dinner.

 

Dinner includes:

 • Vegan dumplings and/or rice

 • Main dishes:

 • Braised aubergine (Yuxiang-style)

 • Vegan Lazi “Chicken”

 • Simple stir-fried seasonal vegetables (hand-torn cabbage)

 

During the meal, Janet will chat with guests in a relaxed, informal setting, sharing thoughts on:

 • Chinese food culture and everyday home cooking

 • The meaning of Vegan January

 • Personal stories and connections to Chinese food and vegetarian cooking

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🍨 Dessert

 

The evening will finish on a sweet note with vegan mochi ice cream, offering a light, refreshing dessert to round off the meal.

 

Soft, chewy mochi wrapped around smooth plant-based ice cream provides a gentle contrast to the bold flavours of the dinner, making it the perfect, comforting end to the evening.

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