During Climate Week, sustainability took center stage as Uncooked hosted Yesterday’s Dinner, a fully plant-based culinary experience designed to reimagine the potential of leftovers. Held in the heart of Brooklyn, this three-hour feast transformed what many might consider scraps into a celebration of flavor, creativity, and climate-conscious living.
Partnering with Maison Jar, Stains Brooklyn, Impulse Labs, and Chef Steven Santander of the Traveling Supper Club, Uncooked curated a unique, immersive event that highlighted the art of mindful consumption. Guests were treated to a smorgasbord of leftover-inspired small bites and craft mocktails, each dish thoughtfully crafted to prove that sustainability and indulgence can coexist beautifully on the same plate.
Throughout the evening, Chef Steven Santander captivated attendees with his inventive approach to food waste. Ingredients like carrot shavings, lemon peels, beet pulp, and other kitchen castoffs became the stars of the menu, elevated through skillful technique and culinary imagination. The result was a vibrant array of zero-waste dishes that delighted the senses while delivering an important message about the future of food.
In addition to the tasting experience, Yesterday’s Dinner offered guests a variety of interactive, low-waste workshops. Visitors could stop by the pickling station to preserve their own fruits and vegetables, learning how simple fermentation can extend the life of produce. Nearby, a DIY fridge magnet station allowed guests to create art from collage materials, a playful reminder that sustainability starts with creativity. The evening also featured a beautifully arranged grazing table and a rotating selection of mocktails that showcased the versatility of leftover ingredients, from citrus rinds to herb stems.
The event’s atmosphere was one of curiosity, connection, and purpose. Each station encouraged participants to think differently about the food they consume and the waste they create. By merging culinary innovation with environmental awareness, Yesterday’s Dinner demonstrated that even small, everyday actions, like repurposing leftovers, can have a lasting impact on the planet.
As the night concluded, guests walked away with more than just satisfied appetites. They gained a renewed appreciation for the overlooked ingredients in their own kitchens and an understanding that reducing food waste is the number-one action you can take to fight climate change at home.
With Yesterday’s Dinner, Uncooked didn’t just serve a meal; they served a movement. The event turned leftovers into luxury, waste into wonder, and reminded us all that sustainability can be as delicious as it is essential. After this experience, you’ll never look at your fridge scraps the same way again.
