Catching up on what we've done so far:

By now, you should have worked on your list of packable foods that you like, tried putting a meal on a plate into a box to see how big a bento box you'll need, and chosen a bento box or container that's right for you - or at least given it some thought.

I've really been enjoying looking at your posted photos! Everyone should take a look at other people's photos to get ideas and inspiration - it's very instructive.

Upcoming lessons

1. Lesson 3 (to be posted this week) will be about actually packing a lunch and taking it to work or school. Your assignment will be to - pack a real lunch, and take it along! (Hopefully you will have an appropriate box to use. It doesn't have to be your "dream bento box" as long as it functions well for the purpose.
2. Lesson 4 will be about working on building a "bento stash" or johbisai - premade foods that are stored in your fridge, freezer or pantry that help packing bentos a lot faster - and the bentos more interesting! If you want to get a head start on this subject, take a look at the bento staple recipes here on the site. There are tons!
3. Lesson 5 will be about streamlining your process, keeping bento making fun, and a summary of all we've gone over.

We will be wrapping up Bento 101 next week. And in case you missed the announcement over on Just Hungry, right after Bento 101 is concluded I'm going to be starting Japanese Cooking 101: The Fundamentals of Washoku over there. I hope those of you who are interested in Japanese cooking as well as bento making will join that course too! Please do be aware that while Bento 101 was more about general methods and tips rather than cooking, Japanese Cooking 101 will be all about cooking.

At some later date I plan to run a similar course for making some very traditional Japanese bentos, so if you think you might be interested in that subject Japanese Cooking 101 will be a very good foundation course to take.