Bon Koo, owner of Sea to You Sushi in Newton, will offer a hands-on sushi and noodle class at his school, at 232 California St., at 6:30 p.m. on May 18. Part of the Newton Festival of the Arts, “From Sushi to Sweets’’ will offer the basics of preparing and serving sushi, rolling maki, and making noodles. Participants will have the chance to sample their creations, as well as the French-Japanese desserts of pastry chef Nobuko Maruyama (Cafe Japonaise). Consider it a preview: Maruyama will open Ko Ko Bakery next door to Koo’s school in late spring or early summer. Koo, who was raised in Korea by a Japanese stepmother, studied business administration at Boston University and learned how to grade tuna while working on the fish piers in Gloucester. He learned about sushi from chefs with whom he was doing business. As an instructor, he says, “the best ingredients are people coming together. It creates some more fun.’’ Class ($80 for 2) is limited to 30. Partial proceeds go to Newton Festival of the Arts and Asian American Leadership Network. For tickets go to www.newton communitypride.org/festival/foa- tickets.php or www.seatoyouboston.com.

ANDREA PYENSON

Andrea Pyenson can be reached at apyenson@gmail.com.