By Ericka O’Connell, Roosevelt Island Daily
Hello friends! As winter gives way to thoughts of spring and community gatherings, here’s a cozy event on our island that invites us to explore flavor, culture, and connection. On Saturday, February 14, join iDig2Learn for MAGIC OF SPICES with Louella Streitz, a special Valentine’s Day afternoon rich with aromatic tastes and warm conversation.
What’s Happening
Whether you’re celebrating with a partner, a friend, or treating yourself, this event offers a delightful way to spend part of your afternoon. Hosted by iDig2Learn at 531 Main Street here on Roosevelt Island, Magic of Spices blends culinary discovery with community cheer.
- Date & Time: Saturday, February 14, 2026, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
- Location: 531 Main Street, New York, NY 10044
- Host: iDig2Learn, part of the Open Space Institute nonprofit network
Spice, Sip, and Savor
Friends will gather to fall in love with spices through an aromatic journey that pairs Masala Chai with savory bites and sweets prepared by Louella Streitz of Sweetly Yours. This celebration of flavor is part of iDig2Learn’s Bellies, Bins and Beauty food appreciation initiative. It’s a chance to explore how spices connect us to culture, tradition, and shared meals.
Expect more than just tasting. These kinds of culinary gatherings spark curiosity about where our food comes from and how ingredients shape the meals we enjoy, much like other spice-related events around the country that highlight stories and techniques behind flavors.
Why It Matters
I Dig 2 Learn celebrates nature, plant life, and the origins of food, bringing families and neighbors together to explore science and culture through eating and learning. Events like this remind us that food is both nourishment and storytelling.
RSVP and Notes
Seats are limited and exact indoor location details are shared once you RSVP. If you want to make this Valentine’s afternoon special, be sure to save your spot soon!
Lance A. Polivy, Vice President for Legal Affairs
I do not usually write ahead of the week’s rhythm. Fridays suit an old woman. They allow time for tea, rereading, and the small mercy of correcting one’s own excessive cleverness. But this cannot wait for Friday.





