The five-star Japanese hotel that dominates Ferdinand Bolstraat already has four restaurants, three Michelin stars and two bars. On December 9, it added the culinary centre ‘Taste of Okura’ to this list.

The culinary centre offers a range of workshops of different levels. These are predominantly aimed at groups, for example companies looking for a novel team-building activity, but a small number are also open for individuals.

Under the guidance of Tjeerd Blom, formally the chef at Greetje, aspiring foodies can gather round the sleek black and white cooking islands and learn to prepare some of the dishes served in the hotel’s restaurants. These include sushi, French classics and English high tea.

There is also a dining area where participants can enjoy each course as they complete it, while in the adjoining Wine Room, the hotel’s sommeliers offer wine and sake tastings and explain how these can be best combined with food.

Prices for the workshops, which last around three and a half hours, range from €65 to €130. Further information, including dates and registration details, can be found on Hotel Okura’s website

IJscuypje, the popular purveyor of handmade ice cream, just off the Albert Cuyp market, has changed its product line. In order to pull in the punters during the winter months, owner Edwin de Koeyer has packed away the ice cream and in its place the tiny kitchen is pumping out stamppot. A popular Dutch winter warmer, stamppot is made from mashed potatoes mixed with vegetables and is usually served with meat. IJscuypje has six different varieties on offer: endive, curly kale, broccoli, sauerkraut, rucola with parsnip and carrots with onions. A vegetarian option is also being developed.

For the very friendly sum of €4 (for a medium portion) or €5 (for a large portion), you can choose the kind of potatoes you want as well as being able to select from six different kinds of meat (an additional €1.50-€2.50). These range from a simple meatball to a rich stew. The perfect 'fast food' option when it's cold and you can't be bothered to cook.

IJscuypje is located on Eerste van der Helststraat 27 and open daily 16.00-21.00.

After years of dominating the caffeine market in virtually every other country in the world, Starbucks has finally got a foothold in Amsterdam (there have been three branches at Schiphol airport for several years but you had to clear security to reach them and even then no one seemed to know they existed). With the opening of the branch in Amsterdam's Central Station, Starbucks fans can now get their tall skinny lattes and grande frappuccinos without having to leave the country.

The Starbucks branch is located in the station's West Hall, Stationsplein 13. Open daily 06.00-22.00.

The Netherlands' largest specialist beer festival opens for the 32nd time on October 30. The three-day event is organised by PINT, an association founded in 1980 to encourage breweries to branch out from pils, by and large the only beer brewed at the time, and to encourage consumers to explore the wider world of beer.

Bock is a strong, traditionally dark, beer although paler versions are now available. It is often brewed seasonally, appearing on the Dutch market in autumn.

The PINT Bock Beer Festival will be held in the Beurs van Berlage on Damrak, Amsterdam. Admission costs €8 and drinks €2. Times Friday Oct. 30 17.00-23.00; Sat Oct. 31 12.00-23.00; Sun Nov. 1 12.00-19.00.

Opened at the end of August, new restaurant Eetcafé Vrienden seems made for a financial crisis. Basic but generally tasty Dutch and Mediterranean dishes, generous portions and low prices (mains range from under €10 for a big chunk of homemade lasagne to €19.50 for steak) make this a credit crunch-worthy addition to De Pijp.

The restaurant is located on Ruysdaelkade 183, tel. 470 4446. Open Mon 15.00-22.00, Wed-Sun 15.00-22.00.