Dear Colleagues,

This month, the UBS Cooking School and community events calendars are packed with fun and engaging classes, events, and activations. Included are some delicious recipes for you to enjoy, as well as highlights of some of our Cooking School classes, Wellness Wednesday classes, and upcoming community events. Please join us for these exciting “Key Occasions.”

Regards,

The Community Management Team

This delicious recipe from Chef Jerome Grant's Sweet Home Café Cookbook: A Celebration of African American Cooking gives you an epic Creole spice mix that you can use on everything from veggies to steak, and anything in between! While the frying of the fish is fairly simple, it is important to focus on the cooking process to get the best results.

Creole Fried Fish

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1½ cups (188 g) of all-purpose flour

4 tablespoons (68 g) of Creole spice blend (recipe below)

½ teaspoon (2 g) of kosher salt, plus more for seasoning fish

1 pinch cayenne pepper

Four 1-pound (454 g) of croaker, porgy, spot, or other panfish, heads cut off, scaled, gutted, and gills removed

1½ cups (326 g) of vegetable oil, for frying

Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions:

1. In a medium baking dish, mix the flour, Creole Spice Blend, salt, and cayenne until well blended.
2. With a few paper towels, dry the cavities of the fish. Pat the skin dry as well, and season the cavity and exterior of each fish with salt. Dredge the exterior of each fish in the seasoned flour to coat well.
3. Pour the vegetable oil into a large cast-iron skillet and heat to 350 °F (177 °C) on a deep-frying thermometer (or use a tabletop deep fryer).
4. Fry the fish in the hot oil for about 4 - 5 minutes, turning once until crisp, the flesh flakes, and the fish is opaque. Transfer to a platter lined with paper towels to drain off the excess oil. Serve hot with lemon wedges.

Creole Spice Blend

Makes 1 cup

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons (34 g) of sweet Hungarian paprika

¼ cup (71 g) of celery salt

2 tablespoons (34 g) of fine sea salt

2 tablespoons (34 g) of ground black pepper

2 tablespoons (34 g) of garlic powder

2 tablespoons (34 g) of onion powder

1 tablespoon (17 g) of ground allspice

4 teaspoons (23 g) of cayenne pepper

Instructions:

1. Warm a nonstick skillet over low heat. Add the paprika and lightly toast to develop its full flavor. Actively stir the paprika for 3 minutes, making sure not to allow the spice to burn. Transfer the paprika to a small bowl and let cool.
2. Once the paprika has cooled to room temperature, whisk in all the remaining ingredients until well mixed.
3. Transfer to an airtight container. The blend will keep for up to 3 months.

Crab Cakes are fun to make at home: you can customize the seasonings and the patty size, and the value is better than buying pre-made crab cakes. The chilling step is important to help prevent the cake from splitting during cooking, so be sure not to skip it! Please enjoy this tasty recipe from Chef Jerome Grant's Sweet Home Café Cookbook: A Celebration of African American Cooking.

Maryland Crab Cakes

Serves 6

Ingredients:

2 pounds (907 g) of jumbo lump crab meat, preferably True Blue certified crab
2 large egg yolks

1 ½ tablespoons (20 g) of mayonnaise, homemade or Duke’s

2 teaspoons (27 g) of Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon (17 g) of Old Bay seasoning

2 teaspoons (10 g) of freshly-squeezed lemon juice

1 dash of Tabasco sauce

1 dash of Worcestershire sauce

½ teaspoon (2 g) of sea salt

½ teaspoon (2 g) of cayenne pepper

1 ½ cups (188 g) of plain breadcrumbs

½ cup (109 g) of vegetable oil

2 tablespoons (27 g) of unsalted butter

Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions:

Pick through the crabmeat to remove any pieces of shell. Be careful not to break up the lumps of crab excessively, and set aside the meat in a large bowl.

1. In a small bowl, combine the egg yolks, mayonnaise, mustard, Old Bay seasoning, lemon juice, Tabasco, Worcestershire, salt, and cayenne, whisking until well-blended. Spoon the mixture over the crabmeat and gently mix until the meat is coated, being careful not to mash or break up the meat. Gently form the crab mixture into twelve 3-oz (85 g) discs.
2. Spread out the breadcrumbs on a large plate. Lightly coat the crab cakes with the crumbs. Transfer the cakes to a platter and cover with plastic wrap. Chill the cakes in the refrigerator at least 1 hour before cooking.
3. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil and butter over medium heat. When hot, work in batches to avoid crowding, add the crab cakes to the pan and cook, turning once until golden brown for about 4 minutes on each side. Serve hot with lemon wedges.

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, our cafeteria is hosting a special pre-order sale featuring chocolate-dipped strawberries and red velvet cupcakes! Orders need to be placed by Tuesday, February 10 for pickup on Friday, February 13 at the Coffee Bar from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. To place your order, please visit the café to complete a pre-order sheet or use the Thrive app.

• Box of 2 Red Velvet Cupcakes: $7
• Box of 6 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries: $14

Every month, our Wellness Manager and registered dietitian Maya Billig (MS, RD, CDN) hosts informative virtual Wellness Wednesday classes. Don't miss this month's classes, be sure to sign up below!

• Virtual Wellness x Cooking Class - Middle Eastern Spice Crusted Chicken: Wednesday, February 4 from 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
• Virtual Wellness Wednesdays - Leveraging Nutrition, Exercise for Heart Health (Co-Taught By Fitness Specialist Enrique Camacho): Wednesday, February 11 from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
• Virtual Wellness x Cooking Class - Hearty & Low-Sodium Chili con Carne: Wednesday, February 18 from 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
• Virtual Wellness Wednesdays - Beyond Black and White - The Rainbow Zone of Wellness: Wednesday, February 25 from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Calling all sports fans, join us as we kick off the Super Bowl! Don’t miss this exciting opportunity as announce who is at the top of the fantasy football leaderboard at EMA as you play our football toss, enjoy delicious snacks, and don your favorite team's jersey. This event will occur on Tuesday, February 5 from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. in Toronto Room A on Floor 2B. Space is limited, so please register below to secure your spot. Go team!

Sign Up Here

Our cafeteria continues to delight and surprise us all month long with several tasty offerings that will be available on the days listed below. Don’t miss out on these special items:

• February 6: In celebration of the Super Bowl, the Global Buffet will offer primetime picks such as Hot Dogs, Baby Back Ribs with Kansas City BBQ Sauce, Buffalo Wings, Steak Fries, Corn on the Cob, Cole Slaw, and Potato Salad from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

February 18: In celebration of Valentine's Day, don't miss this irresistible berry cheesecake-style mousse cake topped with white chocolate chips available at the Coffee Bar from 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Enjoy the parade of flags and dazzling festivities as the Winter Olympics officially begin! Bring your colleagues and grab a snack as we kick off the Milan Cortina Olympic Games together broadcast live from the Italian Alps. We will meet in Toronto Room A on Floor 2B on Friday, February 6 from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Please register below so we know to expect you - and let the games begin!

Sign Up Here

Pick up the gift of soft, nourished skin - right at the office. Skincare entrepreneur Kate McLeod will be joining us at EMA with a curated selection of bestselling solid moisturizers made from pure cocoa butter and all-natural ingredients. Their signature Body Stones melt on contact with warm, dry skin and are clinically proven to deliver up to 72 hours of long-lasting moisture thanks to their ultra-concentrated, waterless formula.

Whether you’re picking up a little something for a partner, a friend, a favorite coworker (or yourself), you’ll find simple, meaningful gifts that feel thoughtful without trying too hard. No registration is required!

Stop by on February 10 from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Floor 2B near the G elevator bank.

This month, expand your palate and join us for flavorful samplings from The Dessert Ladies, a woman-owned company offering an array of elegant, themed sweets that are sure to make the perfect Valentine’s Day gift! This tabling will be held in the café on Tuesday, February 10 from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Items will be available for purchase.

Spin the Valentine's playlist and let the fun begin! This Valentine's Day-themed musical chairs competition puts a festive spin on the classic game with joyful hits, speedy rounds, and friendly fun as we make the most of our leisure time with our colleagues - and create mini Valentine's Day cards with candy at the end! We will meet on Tuesday, February 10 in Toronto Room A on Floor 2B from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.. Seats are limited, so please register below to secure your spot:

Sign Up Here

Become a part of our supportive community by joining our weekly indoor running club! No experience is required, as all skill levels are welcome. We will meet at the Fitness Center Reception Desk on Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m. to run on the treadmills. Please kindly note a gym membership is required to use the treadmills. In addition, our hydration station will be open regularly to all UBS employees in the Battery Park Room on Floor 2B - a place to refuel with nutritious refreshments after the run. We can't wait to run with you!

• Hydration Station One: Tuesday, February 10 from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Hydration Station Two: Tuesday, February 17 from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Hydration Station Three: Tuesday, February 24 from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

In honor of Black History Month, join our Book Club which will meet weekly from 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. starting Wednesday, February 11. This month, we will be partnering with MOSAIC to dive into a remarkable work of Black Sci-Fi/Speculative Fiction from the twentieth century, Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. This novel follows teenager Lauren Olamina as she learns to navigate an increasingly challenging environment in a world where civil order has ceased to exist in any meaningful way. We will meet in the Geneva Room on Floor 2B to discuss the previous section of the book, and employees from all sites are welcome to join in on the discussion via Teams. Books will be provided at no cost at for the first 10 EMA guests registered using the link below, and pick-up will occur at the Floor 2B Reception Desk starting Wednesday, February 4 at noon. Please make sure to register below to receive the link to join via Teams:

Book Club

The UBS Cooking School offers free, virtual classes daily where employees can practice their cooking skills and prepare fantastic recipes designed by our onsite chefs. A few of our popular, upcoming classes are featured below:

February 12: Lunar New Year Dumplings (Vegetable or Pork)

• 11:00 a.m. class

February 13: Decadent & Velvety Chocolate Tart

• 11:00 a.m. class
• 12:30 p.m. class

February 24: West African Chicken Mafe

• 11:00 a.m. class

February 27: Chef Sydney's Favorite Chicken Cutlets

• 11:00 a.m. class
• 12:30 p.m. class

Use this link to view more of our virtual Cooking School classes: Cooking School

Who has a birthday in February and is ready to celebrate? During each month, we host a Birthday Bash, complete with cake and a cheerful rendition of "Happy Birthday" sung to all of our co-workers with birthdays within the month. Our next celebration will take place on Thursday, February 12 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the Geneva Room on Floor 2B. Please register below to secure your spot:

Sign Up Here

Celebrate Culture & Cuisine with Us!

This month, in partnership with MOSAIC, we’re celebrating Ramadan, Lunar New Year, and Lent with the following themed menu items at the Café from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.:

• February 17 - March 19: In honor of Ramadan, dates will be offered as a sweet addition to the dried fruit options at the Fruit & Nut Bazaar.
• February 18: In honor of Lunar New Year, the Global Buffet will offer General Tso's Chicken, Char Siu Pork (Chinese-Style Barbecued Pork), Edamame Dumplings, Vegetable Lo Mein, Sesame Long Beans, Daikon Radish Slaw, Ginger-Sesame Snow Peas, Bok Choy, and Carrot Radish Salad.
• February 20 & 27: In honor of Lent, the Grill Station will offer Beer-Battered Fish & Chips crisped to perfection with Tartar Sauce and French Fries.

Join us for a month of amazing flavors, cultural appreciation, and tasty traditions. Don’t miss out - come hungry and celebrate with us! For more information, please visit goto\mosaicamericas.

Join us for an engaging tour of the artwork on Floor 2B led by the UBS Art Collection team on Tuesday, February 17 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. We will meet at the EMA lobby reception desk. Space is limited, so please be sure to secure your spot by registering here. We can't wait to see you there!

Sign Up Here

In celebration of the Winter Olympics, bring your team spirit (and creativity!) to the EMA Fan Zone! Stop by during the lunch hour to design your very own gameday sign - whether you're cheering on your favorite team, star player, or your favorite Olympic sport! We'll have all the supplies you need, from eye-catching paints to fun stencils and stickers. Join us on Tuesday, February 17 from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. in the Geneva Room on Floor 2B to create your signs. Please be sure to register for this event below, you won't want to miss out!

Sign Up Here

Make the most of Winter with the following special event hosted by Madison Square Park Conservancy:

• Art Tours: Join the Madison Square Park curatorial team for a free 15-minute tour of Larry Bell’s Improvisations in the Park on Wednesday, February 18 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Bell’s signature glass compositions reflect the park, surrounding buildings, and people walking by throughout the day. This lunchtime tour will showcase how the shifting light enhances the dynamic nature of these artworks. Free and open to the public, no tickets are required. We encourage registration to receive event updates. Tour meets at the northwest corner of the park at 5th Ave and 26th Street. For more information, please click here.

To view Madison Square Park Conservancy’s full event calendar, please click here.

In honor of Black History Month, join us for a vibrant Paint & Sip experience on Wednesday, February 18 featuring wines from Black‑owned producers across South Africa, Oregon, and Napa Valley. Instructed by UBS’s very own Farai Nyoni, this session offers a relaxed opportunity to unwind, connect, and enjoy great wine together. Just bring yourself, as everything you need will be ready and waiting. We’ll gather in Toronto Room A on Floor 2B from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Capacity is limited, so please register below to secure your place.

Sign Up Here

Since 1989, Shoe Repair & Shine has offered an abundance of onsite services to EMA, including patent leather clean-up, shoe dyeing, and shoe stretching! A wide variety of related products are also available for sale, such as suede renewal spray, leather conditioner, insoles, and shoe trees. Shoe Repair & Shine is located in EMA’s lobby in front of the 25 St/Park Ave S entrance. For service, please visit Monday – Friday from 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. For more information, you can contact Shoe Repair & Shine’s office at 212.325.7610, or mobile at 917.655.2931.

Look no further! Dry Cleaning & Alteration by Flatiron Tailor Shop is available for all of your dry-cleaning needs. They offer competitive dry cleaning prices, alteration services, and free pickup and delivery. In addition, State and Liberty suits also receive a 15% off discount. Dry Cleaning & Alteration by Flatiron Tailor Shop is open Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. and is conveniently located onsite next to the shoeshine in front of the 25 St/Park Ave S entrance. For further details, please call 551.574.4699