|
International Chocolate Festival
 |
|
Life is like a box of chocolates — so eat
up! Photo courtesy Fairchild Tropical Garden |
Celebrate the stuff of overpriced Valentine’s Day gifts, dubious
medicinal purposes and premenstrual solace at the International
Chocolate Festival Jan. 26 and 27 at Fairchild Tropical Garden.
The two-day event will feature chocolate tastings, kids’
activities, tree sales, chocolate sculpture competitions and
cooking demonstrations. Lectures include “Chocolate: Food of the
Gods,” by Dr. Anne Stewart of the Institute of Maya Studies;
“Growing and Making Chocolate — The Secrets of Taste,” by Dr.
Robert Steinberg, co-founder of Scharffen Berger chocolate
makers; and “The International Cacao Breeding Program at Chapman
Field,” by Ray Schnell of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Catch a glimpse of Ana Luisa Figueredo’s photo exhibit called
Theobroma Cacao
and a display of chocolate sculpture artistry by Johnson & Wales
University students and professors. And, of course, there will
be vendors of every conceivable form of chocolate you can cram
into your mouth. The International Chocolate Festival runs from
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 26 and 27 at Fairchild Tropical
Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables. 305-667-1651. Park
admission is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for kids, and
free for children under 5 years old.
Cooking at
Miami
Book Fair International
 |
|
Padma Lakshmi: beautiful, sophisticated and
she cooks |
It only makes
perfect sense that Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi teamed
with Table 8’s Govind Armstrong, who is indisputably one of
America’s
top chefs. Of course, Armstrong didn’t require any reality show
competition to achieve his place at the table — an early
apprenticeship with Wolfgang Puck at Spago got him started and a
flair for taste has kept him there. Both sterling chefs will
serve up some savory reads at the Miami Book Fair International
at Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, in downtown Miami Nov. 9
to 11. Lakshmi will talk about her latest cookbook, Tangy
Tart Hot & Sweet, and Armstrong will read from his new book,
Small Bites, Big Nights: Seductive Little Plates for Intimate
Occasions and Lavish Parties at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10.
David Kamp, author of The United States of Arugula and
The Food Snob’s Dictionary, will read some of his works at
1:30 p.m. Plus, learn more about the way we eat and the
evolution of American tastes in the book fair’s food panels. For
a full schedule, see www.miamibookfair.com.
South Beach Wine & Food Festival
 |
|
Stuff your
face and drink like a king at the South Beach
Wine & Food Festival. |
The now-famous
South Beach Wine & Food Festival boasts the biggest names in
the food world every year. But you’d better hurry if you want to
go this time around. Tickets to the festival’s most popular
events — namely the Moët & Chandon Bubble-Q starring Bobby Flay
and other culinary personalities, Emeril’s Sugar Shack and the
Publix Grand Tasting Village — already are sold out. Don’t
worry, if you miss your favorite events, just cruise around
South Beach and you may catch a glimpse of your favorite Food
Network stars. The festival is scheduled Feb. 21 through 24.
Times and locations vary by event. Tickets range from $125 to
$300. For more details, visit www.sobewineandfoodfest.com.
Simple Food with Alice Waters
 |
|
Alice Waters discusses simple food. |
Many would call
her a food revolutionary. Credited with influencing the way we
eat and focusing on seasonal ingredients, Alice Waters may be
best known for her Berkeley, Calif., restaurant Chez Panisse and
her involvement in the slow food movement. When she comes to
Coral Gables to present her latest book, The Art of Simple
Food, Waters will walk you through her inventive philosophy,
teach you how to stock your kitchen and help you master the
fundamentals of preparing simple, season-inspired dishes. You
don’t see Waters around these parts very often, so pick up her
book and go to Books & Books, located at 265 Aragon Ave. in
Coral Gables, at 8 p.m. Nov. 13.
Dine in
Paradise
with Top Local Chefs
 |
|
Dine in Paradise for just $150. |
South Florida’s
hottest chefs get together, three or four at a time, to cook you
and other lucky diners Dinner in
Paradise,
a series of seven multicourse dinners at Paradise Farms in
Homestead to benefit local charities. More than 20 chefs will
cook as part of this dinner series, including Michael Schwartz,
of Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink; Govind Armstrong, of Table 8;
Allen Susser, of Chef Allen’s; Clay Conley, of Azul; and Sandee
Birdsong, a Top Chef contestant and chef at Tantra. The
event takes place one Sunday a month through April. Tickets,
priced at $150 per person, include six courses, complimentary
wines and a farm tour, and are limited to 60 guests.
Paradise
Farms, 1980 S.W. 320
St.,
Homestead. For details, visit www.paradisefarms.net.
NOVEMBER
FRIDAY 9
Touch a Heart Dinner & Auction:
Five-course dinner sponsored by Kristi House includes fine wine
tastings and a full auction. Proceeds benefit children who are
victims of sexual abuse.
7 p.m.
$500. Four Seasons Hotel,
1435 Brickell Ave., Miami. 305-358-3535.
SATURDAY 10
Cooking at the
Miami
Book Fair:
The Miami Book Fair is serving up some savory reads. If you’re a
Top Chef fan, don’t miss Padma Lakshmi talking about her
latest cookbook, Tangy Tart Hot & Sweet. Other featured
food authors include Table 8’s chef Govind Armstrong, who will
read from his new book, Small Bites, Big Nights: Seductive
Little Plates for Intimate Occasions and Lavish Parties, and
David Kamp, author of The United States of Arugula and
The Food Snob’s Dictionary. Learn more about the way we eat
and the evolution of American tastes in the book fair’s food
panels. Free.
Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, 300 N.E.
Second Ave.,
Miami. For the full schedule, visit www.miamibookfair.com.
Through Nov. 11.
Wok Star Cooking Class:
Eleanor Hoh
teaches stir-fry cooking without using measurements. 11a.m. to 2
p.m. $65. Every Saturday. Arclinea Miami,
3140 Ponce de Leon Blvd.,
Coral Gables. 305-865-9297. Check www.eleanorhoh.com for
locations.
Wine Education Class at Cefalo’s:
Pinot Noir? Merlot?
Learn about wine varietals, regions and more.
2 p.m.
$60 per class; $500 for 10 classes. Every Saturday. Cefalo's in
the Grove,
3540 Main Highway,
Coconut Grove. 305-460-0067.
SUNDAY 11
Sunday Brunch at the 94th Aero Squadron:
Classic brunch menu.
10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Adults, $23.95; children ages 5-10, $12.95. Every Sunday. 94th
Aero Squadron,
1395 N.W. 57th Ave., Miami. 305-261-4220.
Brunch at Absinthe:
Sunday brunch includes eggs, bacon, pancakes and other brunch
classics.
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Adults, $24; kids 6-12, $12. Every Sunday.
5150 Town Center Circle,
Boca Raton.
561-620-3754.
Las Olas Farmers’ Market:
Sunday farmers’ market features fresh vegetables, salsa, plants
and much more.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Every Sunday. Las Olas Farmer's Market,
1201 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. 954-462-4166.
19th Annual Great Chefs’ Tasting Party:
Find gourmet food, live entertainment and a silent auction.
Proceeds benefit United Cerebral Palsy of South Florida. $75 in
advance; $85 at the door. The Colony
Palm Beach,
155 Hammon Ave., Palm Beach. 561-357-7779 ext. 15.
www.ucpsouthflorida.org.
TUESDAY 13
The Art of Simple Food
with Alice Waters:
Alice Waters presents her latest book, The Art of Simple
Food, and shares her philosophy of preparing simple,
inventive foods.
8 p.m.
Free. Books & Books,
265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables. 305-442-4408.
Hollywood
Vine Wine Tasting:
A delectable tasting of wines from around the world hosted by
by-the-glass.
6 to 9 p.m.
Free, plus discounts on purchased bottles. Every Tuesday.
Hollywood
Vine,
2035 Harrison St., Hollywood. 954-922-9210.
Microbrew Beers and ’Dillas Tuesdays:
Barry Alberts leads a tasting of micro-brewed beers and gourmet
quesadillas.
7
to
8:30 p.m. $15. Every Tuesday. Mari-Nalli Gourmet Quesadillas,
2271 Ponce de Leon Blvd.,
Coral Gables. 305-793-3120.
WEDNESDAY 14
Girls Wine Out Wednesday:
A girls’ night out of experiencing Italian wines.
5:30 to 7 p.m.
$15. Every third Wednesday. Ortanique on the Mile, 278 Miracle
Mile, Coral Gables. 305-446-7710.
Pub Night:
Join Steve the Beer Guy for a tasting and conversation about
local Florida brews.
7 to 8 p.m.
Free. Whole Foods Market,
6701 Red Road, Coral Gables. 305-421-9421.
Gourmet Chef’s Dinner:
An evening of exquisite cuisine paired with fine wines. $80 plus
tax and tip. 7 p.m. Reserve seat by Nov. 9. The Surf Club, 9011
Collins Ave., Surfside. 305-866-2481 ext. 162.
THURSDAY 15
Southern Italian Feast:
Learn how to make simple southern Italian dishes.
7 to 10 p.m.
$45. Miami Dade College, Kendall Campus, 11011 S.W. 104th St.,
Kendall. 305-237-0636.
FRIDAY 16
Copas y Tapas Spanish Gourmet:
Tasting of Spanish wines and products.
4 to 6 p.m.
Free. Tapas starts at $6.95. Every Friday. Copas y Tapas Spanish
Gourmet, 98 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables. 305-774-0927.
Friday Night Wine Tasting Series:
Barry Alberts leads a weekly wine tasting. 7 to 9:30 p.m. $10.
Every Friday. Doubletree Hotel, 2649 S. Bayshore Drive, Coconut
Grove. 305-793-3120.
2nd Annual Dinner Party Fundraiser:
Proceeds benefit Soulfrito Arts Foundation. 6 p.m. cocktail
reception; 7 p.m. dinner party. $25 donation. Cielo Garden and
Supper Club, 3390 Mary St., Miami. 305-371-2431.
www.soulfrito.net.
SATURDAY 17
Open to the Public Charity Night:
Bonefish Grill, 2121 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables. To
celebrate the opening of its new location, Bonefish Grill will
invite the public to enjoy drinks, appetizers and a main course
tasting in exchange for a $25 cover charge. Proceeds benefit
Neat Stuff, a local charity that provides clothing to needy
children. 305-638-5878.
www.bonefishgrill.com.
SUNDAY 18
Dogs Gone Wild:
A dog day out, featuring a puppy lounge, play areas and special
doggie menus. 5 to 10 p.m. Free. Every Sunday. China Grill, 404
Washington Ave., Miami Beach. 305-534-2211.
TUESDAY 20
The Glass is Always Half Full Tuesdays:
Guests enjoy 50 percent off the Pelican Restaurant's entire wine
list. 7 p.m. Every Tuesday. Pelican Hotel and Restaurant, 826
Ocean Drive, Miami Beach. 305-673-3373.
SATURDAY 24
Wolfe's Wine Shoppe Holiday Party:
Drink some wine while Wolfe’s roasts a pig. 1 to 4 p.m. $10; $5
donation to local charity with reservations. Wolfe's Wine
Shoppe, 124 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables. 305-445-4567.
Thanksgiving Sunday Brunch Cooking Class:
Sheyrn Abalos teaches vegetarian breakfast classics. Noon. Miami
Life Center, 736 Sixth St., Miami Beach. 305-534-8988.
THURSDAY 29
Northern Italian Feast:
A workshop cooking class teaches the simplicity of northern
Italian dishes. 7 to 10 p.m. $45. Miami Dade College, Kendall
Campus, 11011 S.W. 104th St., Kendall. 305-237-0636.
DECEMBER
SATURDAY 1
Around the Tuscan Table:
Learn how to cook Tuscan favorites in this workshop. 10 a.m. to
1 p.m. $45. Miami Dade College, Kendall Campus, 11011 S.W. 104th
St., Kendall. 305-237-0636.
Hors d’Oeuvres Cooking Demo:
Presented by Big Chef and Elizabeth Scokin, the ‘haute hostess’
of the Fake it Like You Made It holiday dinner package. 1 p.m.
Free. Bloomingdale’s, Level 3, Aventura Mall, 19501 Biscayne
Blvd., Aventura. 305-868-1457.
SUNDAY 2
Dine in Paradise with Top Local Chefs:
South Florida’s hottest chefs get together, three or four at a
time, to cook you and other lucky diners Dinner in Paradise, a
series of seven multi-course dinners at Paradise Farms in
Homestead to benefit local charities. Michael Schwartz of
Miami’s hottest restaurant, Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink;
Govind Armstrong of Table 8; Allen Susser of Chef Allen’s; Clay
Conley of Azul; and Sandee Birdsong, Top Chef contestant
and chef at Tantra, are all among the more than 20 chefs that
will cook as part of this dinner series. 5 p.m. $150 per person;
includes six courses, complimentary wines and farm tour. Limited
to 60 guests. One Sunday a month through April. Paradise Farms,
1980 Paradise Farms, 1980 S.W. 320 St., Homestead. 305-248-4181.
www.paradisefarms.net.
Overtown Walking Tour and People’s Bar-B-Que Lunch:
Historic tour led by Dr. Paul George and Bar-B-Que serving ribs,
chicken, cornbread, conch salad and collard greens. Noon to 2
p.m. Lunch, $10; tour, $20. Meets at the Historical Museum of
Southern Florida, 101 W. Flagler St., Miami. 305-375-1492.
Discounted parking at the garage on 50 N.W. Second Ave.
SATURDAY 15
Invitation-only Holiday Nutcracker Brunch:
Enjoy brunch before a 2 p.m. performance of George Balanchine’s
The Nutcracker at the Carnival Center in downtown
Miami. 11 a.m. Adults, $125; children, $65. La Gorce Country
Club, 5685 Alton Road, Miami Beach. 305-929-7000 ext. 1407.
WEDNESDAY 19
Fundamentals of Sake:
Learn everything there is to know about sake: what it is, how
it’s produced, its history and what makes a good and a bad sake.
Lecture and tasting, 7 p.m.; optional dinner 5:45 p.m. Members,
$25; nonmembers, $35. The Morikami Museum and Gardens, 4000
Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach. 561-495-0233.
JANUARY
WEDNESDAY 9
Tea & Coffee
World Cup Exhibition & Symposium:
The top buying and selling fair for coffee and tea drinkers. 10
a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets start at $50. Miami Beach Convention
Center, Hall A, 1901 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach.
212-391-2060. Through Jan. 11.
SUNDAY 13
Pleasures of the Palate:
The 10th anniversary of this fine dinner includes auctions that
benefit diabetes research. 6:30 p.m. $250.
Emeril's Miami
Beach, 1601 Collins Avenue Miami Beach. 305-695-4550.
SATURDAY 26
International Chocolate Festival:
Hey, chocolate lovers, come taste savory chocolate, view cooking
demos and learn more about the history of chocolate. 9:30 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m. Park admission $20. Fairchild Tropical Garden,
10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables. 305-667-1651. Through Jan.
27.
FEBRUARY
FRIDAY 8
Delray Beach Garlic Festival:
A festival for garlic fans to celebrate the widely used and
popular food. Don’t plan to kiss anyone. 5 p.m. $10. Old School
Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. 561-243-792. Through
Feb. 10.
THURSDAY 21
South Beach Wine & Food Festival:
The now-famous South Beach attraction boasts the biggest names
in the food world every year. But you’d better hurry if you want
to go. Tickets to the festival’s most popular events — namely
the Moet & Chandon Bubble-Q starring Bobby Flay and other
culinary personalities, Emeril’s Sugar Shack and the Publix
Grand Tasting Village — already are sold out, but you still can
score tickets to the remaining events. Otherwise, just cruise
around South Beach and hope to catch a glimpse of your favorite
Food Network stars. Times and locations vary. $125 to $300.
www.sobewineandfoodfest.com. 305-625-4171. Through Feb. 24.
D’Vine Divas Dinner:
A kick-off for the 2008 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food
Festival the dinner will be hosted by
Samantha Shanken of Wine
Spectator and master sommelier
Laura
DePasquale. Female chefs will prepare each
course. 7 to 11 p.m. $300. Proceeds to benefit Diabetes Research
Institute. The Biltmore Country Club Ballroom, 1200 Anastasia
Ave., Coral Gables. 954-964-4040. www.sobewineandfoodfest.com
MARCH
SATURDAY 1
19th Annual Asian Culture Festival:
Taste the foods of far eastern cuisine while learning Asian
crafts. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adults, $6; children under 12, free.
Fruit and Spice Park, 24801 S.W. 187th Ave., Homestead.
305-247-5727. Through Mar. 2.
SATURDAY 8
The International Olive Oil Festival:
Taste more than 250 olive oils from all over the world. 11 a.m.
to 11 p.m. $20. The War Memorial Auditorium, 800 N.E. Eighth
St., Fort Lauderdale. 561-376-0033. Through Mar. 9.
|
