A series of cooking-language classes is being offered at the Bend Language Institute. The unique pairing will combine Japanese food with instruction in basic Japanese language. It’s being led by the Institute’s instructor, Chieko Saito. The first language-in-action-workshop on Sunday, Oct. 5 will feature California Rolls and Miso Soup. A class description states while California rolls are not known in Japan, they were invented by a Japanese chef in the U.S. Soup ingredients include red miso, tofu and green onions. The class will be intimate and interactive. A group of up to 10 students will learn basic Japanese phrases while cooking. Christina Cappy, founder of the Bend Language Institute, says the goal is to teach students how to order meals as well as polite customs around food and the words for the ingredients in Japanese. The two-hour class will be hosted at Cappy’s home. The fee is $50.
“I would describe the evening as a fun an intimate event, where you get to meet others…who are often excited about the same things that you are — particularly when it comes to Japan. The class is geared toward anyone who is interested in learning more about Japanese culture, food and language,” Cappy says. She started the Institute in 2019. It offers small group classes and one-on-one lessons in 10 languages.
In the past, the Institute has offered food-language classes in Italian, French, German and Mandarin. Other Language-in-Action workshops have included French music, origami making, German traditions, river ecology in Spanish and more.
“Food is also a central component to some of our longer courses. For example, we have hosted “Regions of Italy” and “Regions of France” eight-week courses where we learn about the history, popular sites and popular dishes of a different region each week. We then run the class as a potluck-style class where everyone gets to make regional dishes at home to share,” Cappy told the Source. “Our Travel Essentials courses often also turn into potluck-style classes, particularly evening classes.”
A second Japanese themed workshop is scheduled for Oct. 26. That will pair the Japanese language with the making of gyoza, which are dumplings brought to Japan by returning soldiers after World War II.
California Rolls, Miso Soup & Japanese Language
Sun. Oct. 5, 4:30pm
Bend Language Institute
416 NE Greenwood Ave.
$50
This article appears in the Source August 28, 2025.
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