Join us Friday night for an exclusive, communal dining event that celebrates the art of the Chinese Hotpot. This isn’t just a dinner; it’s an infinitely customizable feast designed to bring people together around the steam of the pot.
Whether you are an omnivore, dedicated carnivore, a strict vegan, a spice seeker, or someone with a sensitive palate, this meal is crafted specifically for you.
Why It’s the Perfect Meal for Everyone
The beauty of Hotpot lies in its versatility. We utilize Yin-Yang style divided pots, allowing two distinct broths to simmer side-by-side without ever touching. This setup ensures:
Complete Dietary Freedom: We can isolate vegetarian or gluten-free broths from meat-based stocks.
The Best of Both Worlds: One side can feature a fiery, peppercorn-infused Szechuan spice, while the other can be a mild, nourishing savory herbal bone, vegetable, or mushroom broth.
Total Control: With over a dozen premium ingredients—from thinly sliced marbled meats and fresh seafood to leafy greens, shredded root vegetable, exotic dried mushrooms, rice, and noodles—you choose exactly what enters your bowl.
Event Details
This is a Family Style event. You’ll share the experience with fellow artists, dipping and cooking together in a relaxed, social atmosphere.
When: Friday Night
Price: $30 per ticket
Availability: limited to 30 guests to ensure an intimate and high-quality experience
How to save your space: When you register for your workshop, there will be an option to add the dinner
Beverages: Water and tea will be available, feel free to bring anything else you’d enjoy sharing
The Hotpot Tradition: Much like the Yin-Yang symbol itself, this meal is about balance. It’s about the heat of the broth meeting the freshness of the ingredients, and the individual’s taste meeting the spirit of the group.
About Your Hotpot Host: Based in Bath, Maine, Chris Toy is a multifaceted educator, author, and outdoorsman with over 30 years of experience. As a private chef and instructor, he specializes in Asian-fusion cuisine, teaching popular workshops through Maine Adult Education and his own culinary retreats.
He is the author of several best-selling cookbooks, including the Easy Chinese Cookbook and Ramen Made Simple, which focus on making traditional techniques accessible to home cooks.
Beyond the kitchen, Chris is a skilled maker and kinetic sculpture leader, teaching students to create “mobiles and stabiles” and carve custom chopsticks from salvaged wood. An avid adventurer, he is also a Registered Maine Guide, leading Guided Maine Adventures that range from hiking and cycling tours to coastal expeditions and open-fire gourmet cooking.
