Agenda: A Taste of Tibet, Rustic French, Ceremonial Sake, and Urban Beekeeping

FEATURED EVENT

Tibetan Cooking with Elizabeth Esther Kelly
Cookbook author and expert on Tibetan cuisine Elizabeth Esther Kelly will be leading a workshop, Tibetan Cooking: Recipes For Daily Living, Celebration, and Ceremony, in which she will share many of her easy-to-follow recipes made with ingredients found in local markets and shops. A 30-year practioner of Tibetan Buddhism, Kelly was the first cook at Karma Triyana Dharmachakra in Woodstock, New York. The event will take place at Tibet House (22 West 15th Street) on Thursday, March 6, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online, $20/non-members, $18/members.

EVENTS THIS WEEK (March 5 through 11)

The Cuisine of Toulouse
Now through March 9th visit Cercle Rouge (241 West Broadway) where executive chef Pierre Landet will be featuring signature dishes from his native Toulouse. The region, which is located in Southwestern France, is often deemed "the capital of cassoulet," the traditional stew of beans, meats, and sausage. Toulouse is also known for satisfying, rustic fare featuring duck, foie gras, pates and confits. Landet will be offering the special menu as part of a three-course meal or a la carte. $45/three-course prix fixe menu (212.226.6252).

Sake Tasting
Sake has a rich, ceremonial history throughout Japan, and is said to be older than the Japanese written word. Join experts Rick and Hiroko Smith of New York's first sake shop, Sakaya, for a tasting and discussion of five representative sake. This free Shinjo Ito event will take place on Thursday, March 6, at the Milk Gallery Penthouse (450 West 15th Street) at 6 p.m. To register, send your name and the number in your party to shinjoitoevents@dcinyc.com or call 212.660.6793.

New York Wine Expo
Caters to both trade and consumers, attendees at this first annual event will have the opportunity to sample over 600 wines from more than 170 producers. A wide range of seminars led by prominent wine experts will also be available. Topics include wine tasting, wine and food pairings, wine serving, and more. The expo will take place at the Jacob K. Javits Center (655 West 34th Street) and is open to consumers Friday, March 7 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 8 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tickets $85/Friday, $95/Saturday.

The Art of Steak
Stephen Rosenbluth, executive chef at Nick & Stef's Steakhouse will teach a two session course, The Art of Steak. The course will teach students how to choose the right cut, recipes for accompanying sauces, and tips for getting the right char and finish on the steak. Take home recipes and a gift of Nick & Stef's steak seasoning will be included. The sessions will be held on Saturday, March 8th and Saturday, April 15, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Nick & Stef's (9 Penn Plaza, Madison Square Garden). $75/session (212.563.4444).

Home Grown Herbs
The Brooklyn Botanical Gardens (1000 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn) will be presenting its 27th Annual Making Brooklyn Bloom event on Saturday, March 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The day will be filled with workshops, exhibits, activities, and shopping. Among the workshops, Slow Food NYC's Sandra McLean will be presenting "Savoring Home Grown Herbs All Year Long." Participants will learn how to preserve home grown herbs by freezing and drying and by making salts, oils, vinegars, and jellies. The workshop is free, register on site at 10:00 a.m. to reserve a spot. (718.623.7200).

Urban Beekeeping
Saturday, March 8, is Urban Beekeeping Day at Wave Hill (West 249th Street and Independence Avenue). The event kicks off with a morning session (9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) on how to set up a hive, including start-up costs, equipment and where to obtain bees. In the afternoon (1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.), discuss strategies for safely keeping hives in community gardens, backyards, and on rooftops. Single sessions are $25 for Wave Hill members and $35 for non-members, registration required (718.549.3200, ext. 305).

Tea and Coffee Cocktails
Astor Center (399 Lafayette Street) will present a class on the art of making hot and cold cocktails using coffee and tea. The course, which includes tastings and a free bottle of a (limited release) new coffee liqueur, will take place on Sunday, March 9, 3:00 p.m. to 5 p.m. (register online). Updated: This class has been canceled.

The International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York
This year's trade exclusive International Restaurant and Foodservice Show will take place Sunday, March 9, through Tuesday, March 11, at the Jacob K. Javits Center (655 West 34th Street). Among the highlights of this year's show is the action packed PMQ New York Pizza Show with its America’s Plate pizza competition and the U.S. Pizza Team trials; the 19th Annual US Pastry Competition, whose theme is "Under the Sea;" and the Ultimate Barista Challenge, a competition which showcases the artistic talent and creativity of professional coffeehouse baristas. Members of the restaurant and foodservice trade may register online or call 888.334.8705.

Russian Film and Food
The underground Russian speakeasy, Pravda (281 Lafayette Street), has introduced a recurring Sunday night event featuring early 20th Century Russian & Eastern European films (plus complimentary caviar and potato chips). The weekly screenings kick off this Sunday, March 9, at 8:00 p.m., with Yakov Protazanov's 1924 sci-fi flick, "Aelita" The Queen of Mars.

Image: Lisa Fain.