Experience Hanami, the Japanese celebration of Sakura: cherry blossoms 🌸 Hanami happens during March to May in spring when the blossoms are in full force. Traditionally people would bring food offerings to honor and pray to the gods for a healthy harvest, and then eat under Sakura trees.

Unique desserts have emerged from the influence of Hanami’s floral themes. Sakura flowers and plum blossoms are infused in desserts while savory food like sushi and bento are common as they are easy to pack and share for picnics. 

Taste the flavors of Hanami as our facilitator, Ella Oriye Tani, walks you through how to make the following foods (vegan and gluten free options are available):

• Sakura Mochi (A rice-bean paste dessert with syrup)
• Nerikiri Wagashi (chewy dessert with white bean paste)
• Futomaki Sushi (sushi with egg, mushroom, spinach, and cucumber)

Spots are limited so register now to secure your place!

Land Acknowledgement

This event takes place on the unceded homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛw̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Nations.

About the facilitators

Ella Oriye Tani

Ella is a visual artist currently in her 2nd year at SFU School of Contemporary arts. She loves creating graphic novels and often intertwines her love of food with art. As a kid, she has long been invested in animal rights and food justice. She has a dog named Raspberry who likes eating her creations.

Event Accessibility

Embark Sustainability events are free and open to Embark Sustainability members which includes Simon Fraser University undergraduate and graduate students, as well as Embark Sustainability Associate Members.

This event will be held indoors at the SUB Community Kitchen, room #2125 of the Student Union Building (SUB), SFU Burnaby. Accessibility details include:

• Attendees are free to opt in and opt out of activities as suits their needs throughout the event, including exiting and re-entering the event space.
• We aim to host a scent-free space. Please refrain from wearing scented products in attendance of this event.

We aim to make our events accessible to as many of our community members as possible. If we can take further action to make this event accessible to you, please contact Embark Sustainability’s Food Justice Coordinator at food@embarksustainability.org.

Health & Safety

Participants who register are agreeing to release Embark Sustainability Society from any liability related to COVID-19. Masks are optional but encouraged.

Community Agreement

By registering to attend this event, you are agreeing to be respectful when listening to and communicating with others, and be mindful of the space you are taking up amongst your peers.

Embark Sustainability does not tolerate violence or aggression against others on the basis of race, ethnicity, place of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or ability. Please also refer to people using the introductions they provide and do not assume pronouns/gender/knowledge based on someone’s name or appearance.

If these agreements are broken by someone, we will have to ensure the safety of our community members by removing them from the event.

Questions

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Embark Sustainability’s Food Justice Coordinator at food@embarksustainability.org.