Guest Storyteller - Karachi: Stories from the City & the Kitchen
Thursday, November 12th
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
PLAYTE Kitchen
2931 Solano Avenue, Napa
Learn • Cook • Eat
TICKETS: $50 per guest
Light hands-on cooking, cultural storytelling, photographs, and shared dining.
Free parking onsite and on adjacent streets.
This event is part of our Guest Storyteller series.
Food has a way of connecting us to places, people, and traditions–even when we're thousands of miles away.
Join Maryam Ahmed and Ryan Smolar at PLAYTE Kitchen for an evening exploring Karachi, Pakistan, through food, photographs, and stories of the people who shape this vibrant city and its food system.
What’s on the menu?
Vegetable Biryani | Hands-On Cooking
A fragrant, celebratory rice dish layered with warming spices, aromatic herbs, and colorful vegetables. Guests will work hands-on to explore the techniques behind building flavor and achieving the signature layers of a traditional Pakistani biryani.
Chicken Karachi | Chef Demonstration
A beloved Pakistani chicken dish cooked in a rich, savory tomato-based sauce with fresh ginger, garlic, green chilies, and warming spices. Traditionally prepared in a deep, wok-like pan called a karachi, this flavorful dish is known for its bold aromatics and vibrant, comforting flavors.
What you'll experience
Stories and photographs from Karachi
Perspectives on food, heritage, and community
Hands-on preparation of vegetable biryani
Chicken karachi prepared by the PLAYTE Kitchen team
A shared meal and conversation
Following the cooking and demonstrations, guests will enjoy both dishes reception-style at our kitchen islands, with plenty of opportunity to continue the conversation, share impressions, and connect over the flavors and stories of Karachi.
Learn more about PLAYTE Kitchen