Get ready to spice up your senses at the Neustadt JAAMM Festival! On Thursday, September 18, 2025, the Mizel Arts and Culture Center welcomes Yaniv Cohen, The Spice Detective, to the Phillips Social Hall for an evening that promises to be as flavorful as it is unforgettable. 

In Journey to the World of Middle Eastern Spices, audiences will be transported through the rich history, cultural traditions, and aromatic magic of the region’s most essential seasonings. This immersive program is more than a cooking demonstration—it’s a full sensory experience. Guests will begin the night by grabbing their own custom spiced popcorn blend before diving into a series of live spicing demonstrations. With each dish, The Spice Detective blends storytelling, culinary knowledge, and humor, making the evening as engaging as it is delicious. 

Attendees will enjoy tastings of Middle Eastern specialties, learn the secrets behind balancing spices, and even participate in a hands-on workshop to craft a personal shawarma spice mix to take home. A lively Q&A will give food lovers the chance to ask their most burning culinary questions, from spice sourcing to flavor pairing. 

And for those who want to continue their journey beyond the evening, don’t miss the opportunity to pre-order The Spice Detective’s new book, My Spiced Kitchen, and have your copy signed at the event. 

Seating for this one-of-a-kind culinary adventure is limited. General Admission seats are first-come, first-served, while reserved tables will be labeled with the purchaser’s name. 

Come hungry for flavor, knowledge, and community—you’ll leave with a new appreciation for spices and a kitchen ready to transform.