A cooking class with Vikram Vij is an experience I'd recommend to everyone. Nevermind that you know you'll be tasting some of the best Indian food in Vancouver, but you also get to hear his stories of Vij the restaurant and how and why he became a chef. I really do recommend this if you can sit through a room with a few people competing to be Canada's Next Pretentious Food Critic. My stomach and I have never been so angry to hear this comment: "Vikram, the portions are way too big. There's too much food. I can't finish this if there's going to be two other main courses. I wish these were smaller." Go home, and take your mouse-sized stomach with you.

Even if classes aren't your thing, South China Seas (where the class was held) is a great place to get spices and fresh chilis not often found in most grocery stores. I like my food hots, but I'm learning that there's no point in having your food so hot that you won't be able to taste any flavours. Bragging rights are filling, but is it worth it when you're patting down sweat from your face and wiping dripping snot from your nose? Okay, yes, sometimes it's worth it. HOT WINGS!