Either it’s a growing trend or a return to an old form of entertainment.  In any case, folks are increasingly spending their evenings in hobby-related workshops.

As with most trends, it has to have a new name that the Webster’s dictionary will recognize in a couple of years. Welcome to “edutainment”.

Edutainment, as the word suggests, combines education and entertainment into an experience, a how-to and hands-on adventure.

Date nights can be transformed from the traditional dinner and drinks to learning how to make sushi, taking dance lessons or learning origami. Girl’s night out can likewise get a make-over.

If you are interested in cooking, several Vancouver Island kitchens are embracing the movement and offering a variety of cooking experiences, from making kimche to whipping up an impressive Beef Wellington.  You can’t taste and smell, after all, from a You Tube video.

Stir Cooking School, run by Jennifer Leslie and Kelli Etheridge, embraces the philosophy of cooking as local as possible and teaching healthy food options.

Their classes are offered at a variety of venues in Lantzville and Nanaimo. Using the Lucky’s Liquor Store’s demonstration kitchen allows them an opportunity to educate and entertain in Central Nanaimo.

Once a month at Lucky’s, Stir is whipping up guest chefs and events to tantalize your taste buds.

And what could possibly make the evening more enjoyable, but wine and beer pairings to accompany the various dishes?

The evening will hit all those edutainment buttons and more … especially if you’re able to share the experience with a close friend or significant other.

If you’d like more information or tickets to this event, email info@stircookingschool.ca or visit them at  www.stircookingschool.ca.