By Vivienne Pearson
Maybe because we tend to consider desserts as intrinsically bad for us, we are less careful about how sweet treats are made and what ingredients they have in them.
A brand-new course offered by Byron Community College hopes to put a different slant on desserts. Plant Based Desserts aims to teach participants how to prepare delicious and fun treats using nut milks and healthy sugars.
‘I want to teach people how to make their own food from scratch,’ says course tutor Arianne Schreiber. ‘I’ve been vegetarian since age 15 and have been on and off a vegan too,’ she says.
Arianne got involved in food when she moved from the UK to the Byron Shire more than a decade ago. Before that she was (and still is) a musician, with career highlights including singing with George Michael and recording the theme of a Japanese animation series, Evangelion.
Her training in food has been extensive, including holding the honour of being the first-ever enrolled participant in the local Veet’s Vegan Cooking School. Arianne is heading off soon to train with Matthew Kenney at PLANTLAB in Europe. ‘I keep learning,’ she says.
Though this course is new, Arianne also offers a Vegan Nut Cheeses and Milk course, which has been sold out each time it has run.
What can you expect if you enroll in the Plant Based Desserts course? You’ll be hands on for starters. ‘You’re not watching, you’re involved,’ says Arianne. The course is run for three hours over two consecutive days, allowing for dehydration of ingredients overnight. ‘The desserts are mainly raw,’ says Arianne. Cashews, avocados and gelling agents made from seaweed are key ingredients.
There will be at least five desserts made, including ice-cream made with coconut flesh, healthy toffee apples and, Arianne’s favourite, a strawberry and basil cheesecake.
Is your mouth watering with anticipation? Pop online to book your spot.
Plant Based Desserts with Arianne Schreiber, 10am–1pm Wed 16 and Thurs 17 August. Byron Community College (Mullum campus). Full info and bookings via https://www.byroncollege.org.au/course/PlantBasedDeserts.
