The de Vienne Family Brings a World of Spices to the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses

Zingerman’s is very pleased to welcome Canadian spice importers, the Spice Trekkers (aka Épices de Cru, en Français) to Ann Arbor in April for a series of special events centered around the use of whole spices in cooking. The series will feature four public events at Zingerman’s Roadhouse, Zingerman’s Deli, and Zingerman’s BAKE! (see below for details)

The Spice Trekkers approach spices in three unique ways. First, their spices are always sold whole, which protects purity and freshness. Second, they purchase directly from growers on sourcing trips, which ensures fair trade practices and consistent quality. Third, they source spices from traditional growing regions, or terroirs, which have historically produced the most flavorful products. “We believe in listening to the people who actually live the food we’re trying to make,” says owner Philippe de Vienne.

The Montreal-based company has been encouraging people to learn about spices and grind their own for over a decade. “Spices have an undeserved reputation for being complicated,” says co-founder Ethné de Vienne. “It seems like people are waiting for permission to get creative with spices. Spices have few rules. We just want to tell people it’ll be fine, just start cooking!”

Both Zingerman’s and the Spice Trekkers share the belief that home cooks can make better food by grinding spices themselves. Says Zingerman’s founder, Ari Weinzweig, “Thirty years ago the idea that everyone you knew would be grinding fresh beans to make coffee every time they brewed it home was almost unimaginable.”

Ari first encountered the Épices de Cru shop in Montreal’s Jean-Talon Market several years ago, and has long wanted to bring their spices to Zingerman’s. A few years ago he learned they were finally looking for distributors in the U.S. “I was immediately excited,” he said, and invited the family to visit Ann Arbor in 2014 and share their knowledge of traditional spices. The visit was a resounding success, and Zingerman’s has since incorporated Épices de Cru spices into several dishes.
(Read Ari’s essay, The Power of Pepper in the March/April Zingerman’s Newletter.)

For this year’s visit, Zingerman’s and the Spice Trekkers have scheduled four public events in April to showcase the wonderful and aromatic world of whole spices:

In Pursuit of Pepper at Zingerman’s Roadhouse

Tuesday, April 12th, 7pm
Peppercorns could well be said to have changed the world. Economically, politically and culturally, because it was the pursuit of pepper that led Columbus to sail west across the Atlantic. Culinarily because the Columbian Exchange that followed brought tomatoes, potatoes, corn and cacao to the Eastern Hemisphere; cows, goats, and pigs among others went west. And, probably above all, because very few of us sit down to eat a meal that hasn’t been spiced with peppercorns in one way or another.

For this special meal we’ve put together the culinary talents of Roadhouse Chef Alex Young and Philippe de Vienne, master pepper trader for over thirty years. Together they’ve put together a menu that features some of THE finest peppercorns the world has to offer, all right here at the Roadhouse in form of one delicious meal, all personally selected the de Vienne family who have rightly earned their moniker of Spice Traders by traveling the globe and searching for the most remarkable spices anywhere.

reserve your seat

Indian Cooking with the Spice Trekkers at BAKE!

Wednesday, April 13th, 6 – 8pm
Please join us for this this cooking demonstration at BAKE! Father and son, Philippe and Arik, will teach you recipes with intoxicating aromas including Pineapple Pachadi, Dhal Curry, Braised Beets, Cardamome and Black Pepper Chicken, and Varsa’s Aloo Goobi. We’ll end class tasting their Indian dishes together.

You’ll leave BAKE! with the recipes, the knowledge to recreate them, a happy tummy and great coupons.

*This class is a demonstration only. There will be no hands-on cooking.

reserve your seat

Spice-ology 101 at Zingerman’s Deli

Wednesday, April 13, 630pm

As Ari says, “The de Vienne family will teach you more about spices in 90 minutes that most of us learn in a lifetime.” Please join us for this very special event as the Spice Trekkers share their expertise about the sources of great spices, how to store, grind, and serve them, and above all, how to use them in your everyday cooking. We’ll also sample some light fare featuring their favorites spices in action. Your palate, and your own cooking will never be the same!

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Greek Islands Cooking at Zingerman’s BAKE!

Thursday, April 14, 2015 6 – 8pm
Please join us for this cooking demonstration at BAKE! Father and son, Philippe and Arik, will teach you recipes with savory herbs and spices including Feta Psiti, Hortapita, Domato Soupa, Lemon Mastic Chicken, Patremeni Fava. We’ll end class tasting their Greek Isle flavors together.

You’ll leave BAKE! with the recipes, the knowledge to recreate them, a happy tummy and great coupons.

*This class is a demonstration only. There will be no hands-on cooking.

Get on the waitlist

See you soon!