Bus, train, bike or feet? Which is your favorite non-car transit?

We are earthlings. Join us.

Select your local store

SAT. APR 6 •• 3:30 -6:30 pm

Street Eats for the Global Tourist

•• Hands-On

When you’re hungry for a taste of authentic food culture, savvy travelers know to hit the streets. Quintessentially local, exquisitely fresh, and shockingly tasty, unadorned street food reflects what’s native—not just to a region or a city, but often to a single neighborhood! Earn your cred by mastering 5 gems of food cart cuisine, from Vietnam to Venezuela, Poland to Brazil to Italy.

MENU: Ca-PheSua Da (Vietnamese Iced Coffee); Lime-Chicken Arepas with Avocado Cream; Sweet and Savory Pierogies; Pao de Queijo (Cheese Buns); and Mozzarella Arancini. $55

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/saludcharlotte

What's your favorite way to enjoy locally sourced ingredients?

We are earthlings. Join us.

Select your local store

MON. APR 8 •• 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Fast & Fresh Weeknights              
•• Demonstration
Finding it hard to get healthy dinners on the table on hectic weeknights? Begin building a repertoire of simple, fast, and healthful dishes that your whole family will enjoy without sending your schedule into overdrive. We’ll share some of our favorite weeknight recipes using fresh ingredients that pack in great flavors. These are dinners you can feel good about serving and great about eating!
MENU: Stir-Fried Beef or Tofu with Broccoli & Sweet Potatoes over Rice; Grilled Fish with Lemon & Oregano; and Eggplant & Tomato Skewers with Israeli Couscous & Feta Sauce. $35

To Register:

Fast & Fresh Weeknights

When you shop at our store on 5% Day, you are supporting an organization making a direct impact in our community. Five percent of net sales made on this day are donated to a local nonprofit, and this 5% Day will benefit Matthews Help Center.

Specifically, funds raised will support the center's Financial Crisis Assistance program, which provides financial aid for basic needs to help individuals in short-term crisis stabilize and move toward financial independence.

Whole Foods Market stores give back to their communities throughout the year, and one such way is 5% Day, held quarterly. In 2012, Whole Foods Market stores raised a combined total of more than $5 million in proceeds through quarterly "five percent days" to support nonprofits in the local communities.

TUES.  APR 9 •• 6:30 -  8:30 pm

The Italian Artisan: Simple Specialties from Scratch

With Elisa Gambino of Via Elisa

••Demonstration

Experience the culinary peak of an Italian spring. Elisa Gambino, creator of Via Elisa pasta, will prepare four recipes that epitomize the season: bountiful vegetables, fresh fish and bright desserts. You’ll relish how each course unfolds in delightful sequence on your plate, and you’ll learn techniques that will allow you to bring these same unique flavors to your table at home. MENU: Caponata (Sicilian Eggplant Appetizer); Pasta alla Ligure (Pasta with Green Beans Potatoes and Pesto);Rotolini di Sogliola (Sole Rollups); and

Zabaglione Con Fragole (Zabaglione with Strawberries) $40

REGISTER NOW

WED. APR 10 •• 6:30-8:30 pm

Shellfish A to Z

•• Demonstration

Cooking shellfish is quick and easy, but can seem daunting without the proper technique. In this extensive introduction to shellfish cooking, you will learn about purchasing and storing, searing, frying, serving raw oysters, preparing mussels, and matching flavors to shellfish. We will apply these techniques by making an array of tempting shellfish recipes in a wide range of styles and flavors. MENU: Coconut-Ginger Thai Mussels on Forbidden Rice; Oysters on the Half Shell with Champagne-Vinegar Mignonette; Linguine with Shrimp, Peas, & Crème Fraiche; and Pan-Seared Scallops on Frisée with Apple & Mint Chutney. $45

To Register:

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/saludcharlotte

THUR. APR 11 •• 6:30 -8:30 pm

Appetite For Asia: Thailand

•• Demonstration
Explosive, bold and gregarious best describe the lively nature of Thai cuisine. Come harness that energy and learn how to bring Thai flavor into your every day kitchen. Make pantry staples such as Panang and green curry, and discover the difference in texture, flavor and uses of sticky vs. standard rice. Knife work will be featured, as well as the handwork that’s key to traditional rice bundles in banana leaves. MENU: Pad Po Tak (green curry seafood soup); Yumm Hoy Kew Jean (royal water chestnut salad); Kao Thom Padd (soft sweet sticky rice bundles; and Chicken Panang Curry. $40

http://www.wholefoods.com/saludcharlotte

FRI. APR 12 •• 6:30 -7:30 pm                   
Value Vino! Tasting

•• Demonstration

Discover you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy delicious wines. Our wine buyers have traveled the world to locate the finest wines at great values. Join us for a tasting of our top picks under $12. What a great way to start the weekend! $19

To Register

http://www.wholefoods.com/saludcharlotte

SAT. APR 13 •• 10:30 am – 1:30 pm

French Pastry:  Simple, Sensational Desserts

•• Demonstration

The second class in this two-part series will take your new skills in baking classic French dough to the next level. You’ll learn how to create luscious creams, add sweetness with chocolate and fruit, and make that quintessential French pastry treat, the macaroon. A light lunch will be served.  MENU: Classic Napoleon with Pastry Cream and Fresh Fruit; Pain au Raisin with Almond and Pastry Cream; and Chocolate, Lemon and Pistachio Macaroons.  $59

To Register:

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/saludcharlotte

A gathering of fellow Earthlings who care about our community and our planet, including:

• Clean Air Carolina
• Dale Earnhardt Foundation
• Earth Farms Organics
• Mecklenburg County Storm Water Services
• Mecklenburg County Wipe Out Waste
• O’Leary Waste Systems

We’ll also have activities for little Earthlings in our kids’ play area from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

We are Earthlings. Join us. (And don’t forget your reusable bags!)

SAT. APR 13 •• 5-8pm

DATE NIGHT: Romance in Roma!                                                                     

•• Hands-On
The Eternal City of Rome has scores of beautiful romantic lanes, restaurants, and parks, and wandering away from the floodlit piazzas through the small medieval lanes to discover a tucked-away trattoria is one of Rome’s true pleasures. During the Renaissance, Rome became well known as a centre of haute cuisine, and today the city is home to numerous formidable Italian dishes. In this class, couples explore the enchanting cuisine of this historic city as they spend a memorable night out cooking and dining together. MENU: Spaghetti Carbonara; Pork Braised in Milk; Asparagus with Prosciutto & Pecorino; and Zuppa Inglese (Italian Trifle). $120 per couple

To Register

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/saludcharlotte

Vintage charm. What is salvaged, repurposed or reclaimed in your home?

We are earthlings. Join us.

Select your local store

MON. APR 15 •• 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Great Grains

•• Demonstration

Open the door to a world of whole grains that may have been previously overlooked in a modern diet. Rich in fiber, nutrients, and vitamins; whole grains are essential to eating well and being healthy. In this class, learn easy ways to nourish yourself by incorporating them into your meals. We’ll discuss the difference between a whole grain and whole wheat, the many varieties of whole grains such as quinoa, millet, amaranth, spelt, and buckwheat, and simple methods to prepare them for satisfying breakfast cereals, soups, and side dishes. Come and get your “grain” on! MENU: Farro Risotto with Asparagus; Quinoa with Roasted Vegetables; Wheat Berry Waldorf Salad; and Mushroom Barley Soup $35

To Register:

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/saludcharlotte

TUES. APR 16 •• 6- 9 pm

A Night in Normandy

 •• Hands-On

Normandy has long been one of France’s finest gastronomic regions, bordered on one side by a lengthy coastline which gives way to rich pastureland, crisscrossed by rivers and lush orchards. Apples are processed into robust ciders and fiery Calvados for which the region is renowned, along with its creamy cheeses. Learn the techniques to make some of its most popular dishes and discover the beauty and simplicity of Normandy. MENU: Coquilles St. Jacques au Saffron (Pan-Seared Scallops in a Creamy Saffron Sauce); Côtes de Porc Normande (Brined Pork Chops with Caramelized Apples & Calvados Cream); Gratin aux Choufleur (Cauliflower Gratin); Tarte Bourdaloue (Almond Pear Tart. $65

To Register

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/saludcharlotte

Enjoy tastings from the area's top chefs, restaurants and culinary schools--including a team from your very own Whole Foods Market Charlotte--and sample fine wines, beers and premium spirits, including an entertaining Mixologist Bar. Guests will also enjoy live music and a silent and live auction, including unique dining and other experiences. Proceeds will aid in the fight against hunger in our local community, benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina and Community Culinary School of Charlotte.

Learn more and buy tickets for Taste of the Nation Charlotte.

WED. APR 17 •• 6:30 – 8:30 PM

Spring Tonics to Boost Your Mind & Body

•• Demonstration

Learn easy and healthy ways to incorporate more fruit and veggies into your diet with delicious juices and smoothies. MENU: My Clean Casa Juice; Good Morning Gorgeous! Juice; Don’t Forget to Stretch Smoothie; & Can You See My Glow? Smoothie. Healthy snacks will also be served. $25

To Register:

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/saludcharlotte

Will Allen has shown us a new type of heroism and inspiration. His book, The Good Food Revolution, chronicles his effort to reclaim his family’s heritage and ultimately tackle persistent racial and economic inequalities. The book is a great example of how one man has the power to help change the way our entire nation eats.

THUR. APR 18 •• 6:30 – 8:30 PM

Get Cooking! : Culinary Essentials For The Passionate Beginner

•• Hands-On

Kick-start your cooking skills with this intensive 6-part series designed to build your kitchen confidence and take your home cooking to a higher level.

Class 1: Sauces and Seasonings

What do classical sauces have to do with home cooking? Ask yourself that the next time you’re looking for the secret behind a luxuriously creamy mac and cheese, or the key to rich, smooth and savory turkey gravy. Because when it comes to the basics, nothing separates mediocre from mind-blowing more than a clear understanding of the fundamentals of sauce-making—the holy grail of home cooking!

MENU: Bechamel and Creamy Sauces; Mornay (Cheese Sauce; Easy Brown (Espagnole) Sauce (for pork, beef, or lamb); Fresh Uncooked Sauces: Pesto Sauce, and Peanut Sauce; Emulsified Sauces: Hollandaise; Dessert Sauces: Chocolate and Caramel Sauce. $49

To Register:

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/saludcharlotte

We’re celebrating the bond between Earth Month and our local and regional suppliers with weekend-long sampling. By supporting these suppliers you’re reducing the transportation costs and energy associated with delivering to market, strengthening communities’ local fabric and ultimately bolstering local economies. Stop by during the weekend to say hello to and try delicious products from:

• Cheese Louise! (Atlanta, Ga.)
• Chosen Roaster (Waxhaw, N.C.)
• Honey Butter Bakery (Charlotte, N.C.)
• My Three Sons Gourmet (Greensboro, N.C.)
• NaturAlmond (Atlanta, Ga.)
• Nephew’s BBQ Sauce (Garner, N.C.)
• Old Mill Kettle Corn (Chickamauga, Ga.)
• Peggy Rose’s Sweet Pepper Jelly (Wake Forest, N.C.)
• Proffitt Farms (Kings Mountain, N.C.)
• Taste of Sunrise (Charlotte, N.C.)
• And more!

FRI. APR 19 •• 6-9 PM

Homemade Pasta & Sauces

•• Hands-On
If you haven’t got an Italian mamma to teach you how to make pasta at home, join us for a hands-on experience of the process! Making your own pasta is deeply satisfying, surprisingly easy, and the results are delectable. Students learn the techniques for making a basic pasta dough; using a pasta machine to roll and cut fettuccini, pappardelle, and pasta sheets for ravioli; cutting and filling ravioli; making and shaping gnocchi; and preparing pasta sauces. At the end of class, we’ll sit down to an Italian pasta feast. Students leave with the skills and recipes to make these Italian classics at home. MENU: Fettuccini with Prosciutto, Cream, & Nutmeg; Potato Gnocchi with Rustic Tomato Sauce; Mushroom Ravioli with Sage-Brown Butter Sauce; and Pappardelle with Bolognese. $59

To Register

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/saludcharlotte

Calling All Earthlings!

We're having an out-of-this-world bash on Saturday, April 20th.

Check with your local store for specific times.

Select your local store to get details.

SAT. APR 20 •• 10:30AM – 1:30 PM

Kids Cook: The Art of Cupcakes

•• Hands-On

For ages 6-9
Everyone loves cupcakes – they’re fun to make, the most fun to eat, and are making a popular and stylish comeback! Kids will enjoy learning how to make vanilla and chocolate cupcake batters and then make buttercream and chocolate ganache frosting to frost their cupcakes. Students will take home a few of their special creations to share with family or friends. Snacks will be provided. $35

To Register:

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/saludcharlotte

Upgrade your conventional cleaner this Earth Month! Bring in your new or used bottle of laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid or all-purpose cleaner, and we’ll replace with our natural version for free, courtesy of Green Shield Organic!

Limit one product swap per customer. Product will be swapped for the equivalent Green Shield brand product only. While supplies last. No rainchecks.

SAT. APR 20 •• 5:00 – 8:00 PM

Southern Home Cooking for Natives and Newcomers

•• Hands-On

No cuisine is both homey and elegant like that of the American South—satisfying and impressive to cooks and guests alike. And the hallmarks of traditional Southern home cooking are more relevant than ever: menus inspired by season, authenticity of ingredients (local grains, cured meats, and dairy) and thoughtful recipes reflecting a convivial sense of place. Come experience, through a select handful of traditional dishes, the charm at the very heart of a good Southern meal. MENU: Herbed Cheddar Cheese Biscuits; Shrimp and Speckled Grits with Country Ham Pan Gravy; Dandelion Salad with Lardons and Goat Cheese Phyllo Blossoms; and Buttermilk Lemon Chess Pie with Whipped Cream. $65

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/saludcharlotte

What do you do for energy? Wind? Solar? Coffee? Chocolate?

We are earthlings. Join us.

Select your local store

MON. APR 22 •• 6 – 9 pm

Spring In Tuscany

•• Hands-On

(Johns Creek, Alpharetta and Charlotte)

High in the hills of Italy, Spring is welcomed with beef grilled over glowing coals and sprinkled with olive oil. Served with red wine and just-picked spring vegetables, it is the season at its simple best. The simple, yet refined flavors of Tuscan cooking are world-famous and with good reason. Whether the product of one of Florence’s great restaurants or the simple dishes from a country kitchen, the integrity of Tuscan cooking has won applause for centuries. Students learn some of the ingredients, techniques, and history of Tuscan cooking as they enjoy authentic dishes from the region. MENU: Florentine Steaks over Arugula with Parmigiano-Reggiano; Pizza with Onion Confit & Olives; Roast Chicken Breasts with Lemon & Basil; Berry Tart with Mascarpone. $65

Register:

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/saludcharlotte

Come one, come all to this vegan-friendly potluck! This is an opportunity to explore healthy, vegan food, whether you’re vegan, vegetarian or simply curious. Everyone is welcome to bring a vegan dish, try some new recipes and meet some new friends. Guests are encouraged to bring the recipe for your dish for others to take home.

TUES.  APR 23 •• 6:30-8:30 pm

Dinner and a Movie with the Southern Foodways (SFA) Alliance

•• Demonstration

Reconnect with Southern food heritage as you enjoy a trilogy of short movies from the SFA featuring famous Southern foods and producers:  Smokes & Ears; Buttermilk and Fried Pies.  Stay for potlikker shots after the movies and enjoy a delicious dinner featuring menu items from the movies and more.  This is a unique Salud! evening not to be missed.  Beer and wine will be served. $45

Register:

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/saludcharlotte

Join us in our cucina for this special event where you’ll experience how travel should taste. Explore the rich traditions of Tuscany’s culinary culture through this complimentary food and wine tasting. This intimate, limited-registration event will celebrate Whole Journeys, the new travel company of Whole Foods Market that offers unique travel experiences for the active foodie.

REGISTER NOW

THUR. APR 25 •• 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Get Cooking! : Culinary Essentials For The Passionate Beginner

•• Hands-On

Kick-start your cooking skills with this intensive 6-part series designed to build your kitchen confidence and take your home cooking to a higher level.

Class 2: Chicken Basics

There’s no end in sight to our love affair with chicken, and chances are, you’re always looking for new and simple ways to deliver this dinnertime darling to the family table. We’ll teach you how to cut up a whole bird to become less dependent on pricier pre-cut parts, plus a labor-light method for the all-American fried. You’ll also discover the sublime pleasure of an expertly roasted whole chicken, and sharpen your carving skills along the way!

MENU: Fried Chicken Made Easy; Whole Oven Roasted Chicken; Sautéed Chicken Cutlets with Wine Sauce; and Thai Lemongrass Coconut Chicken Soup. $49

Register:

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/saludcharlotte

Join the folks from Vitamix, who will be here from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 26 from May 5 to show you how to blend your way to more healthful eating.

FRI. APR 26 •• 6:30 –7:30 pm

American Artisan Cheese Tasting

•• Demonstration

Throughout the United States, small, specialist cheese-makers are recapturing the craft of using milk from their own herds and respecting traditional methods of working with milk, to show us how a simple product can become a statement of its provenance. By tasting a variety of farmstead and artisan cheeses, we will discover how a cheese reflects the region in which it’s made and learn while history and tradition are powerful influences, they are not as important as terroir. $19

Register:

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/saludcharlotte

SAT. APR 27 •• 10:30 am – 1:30 pm

A Salute to Julia!
Classical French Techniques

•• Hands-On
Join us for cooking celebrations of some of our favorite recipes from beloved Julia Child. More than anything, Julia Child set classic French techniques accessibly in the realm of the American kitchen, pioneering cooking television and education for the home cook. Students learn step-by-step how to make classical French dishes from Mastering the Art of French Cooking, then we’ll sit down to eat together and discuss all our favorite Julia recipes. Bon appétit! Wine from France will be served. MENU: Petits Chaussons au Roquefort (Pastry Turnovers with Roquefort Cheese); Coq au Vin (Chicken in Red Wine with Onions, Mushrooms, & Bacon); Gratin Dauphinois (Scalloped Potatoes with Milk & Cheese); and La Tarte des Demoiselles Tatin (Upside-Down Apple Tart). $65

Register:

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/saludcharlotte

SAT. APR 27 •• 3:30 – 5:00PM

STUDENT VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

•• Demonstration

Are you an aspiring foodie? Want to help the chefs prep and be an integral part of the cooking class? Expand your culinary horizons through our Student Volunteer Kitchen Program. We welcome anyone with an interest in learning, meeting people, and assisting in the kitchen. It’s easy – attend this orientation class and get started. After four classes, you’ll receive a credit for a free class of your choice! Space is limited; registration for orientation is required. For ages 18 and up.  NO COST

Register:

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/saludcharlotte

April 29 6:30 – 8:00 pm

STUDENT VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION (Ages 18 and UP)

•• Demonstration

Are you an aspiring foodie? Want to help the chefs prep and be an integral part of the cooking class? Expand your culinary horizons through our Student Volunteer Kitchen Program. We welcome anyone with an interest in learning, meeting people, and assisting in the kitchen. It’s easy – attend this orientation class and get started. After four classes, you’ll receive a credit for a free class of your choice! Space is limited; registration for orientation is required. For ages 18 and up.  NO COST

REGISTER NOW

You don't have to be a professional chef to master healthy cooking methods. Come learn several Health Starts Here cooking techniques, and gain the skills you need to prepare healthier meals without the use of added oils. This is a great, tangible way to help you achieve better health.

TUES. APR 30 •• 6:30 – 8:30 pm

School of Fish

•• Demonstration

Take the mystery out of fish! Fish is easy, versatile, quick-cooking, and up at the top of the nutritional hit parade— perfectly suited for a quick mid-week meal or a feast for friends. Join us for a journey through our seafood department for an in-depth discussion of selection, freshness, sustainability, choosing wild vs. farmed, and a demonstration on cleaning whole fish. Then we’ll head back to the kitchen for a demonstration of the best techniques for preparing and plating up fish that will make cooking fish at home a snap. MENU: Salmon  en Papillote with Sun-dried Tomatoes, Kalamata Olives, Cipolini Onions, and Marinated Artichokes; Peppercorn-Seared Tuna with Port Wine Reduction Sauce over Garlic Mashed Potatoes; and Potato-Crusted Cod with Sweet Corn Relish.  $49

Register:

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/saludcharlotte