Agenda: Cookie History, Butchering for Beginners, and Winter Reds

FEATURED EVENT

Cookies: Tasting and History
Francine Segan's next "World of Tasting" lecture series is focusing on the history of cookies, which traces back to as early as Roman times. Learn the origins and history behind some of America's favorite cookies, including Oreos, chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, among others. Guests will also sample dozens of different cookies from around the world, from China to Japan, South America,and Israel. The lecture will take place at the 92nd Street Y (Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street) on Thursday, December 11th, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tickets: $40/person.

EVENTS THIS WEEK (December 10 through 16)

Beard on Books
This month's "Beard on Books" literary series welcomes Kim Sunee, author of Trail of Crumbs: Hunger, Love, and the Search for Home. The memoir focuses on Sunee's quest for identity and how she found peace and security in the kitchen. The reading will take place at the James Beard House (167 West 12th Street) on Wednesday, December 10th between 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be served and guests are welcome to bring a brown bag lunch. Suggested donation: $20. RSVP: 212.627.2308.

Sex, Wine & Chocolate
Grand Cru Classes is presenting an event, "Sex, Wine & Chocolate." The lecture will focus on how all three things not only bring pleasure, but benefit women's health. Included with the event is a wine and chocolate pairing. Sex, Wine & Chocolate will take place at In Good Company Workplaces (16 West 23rd Street, 4th Floor) on Wednesday, December 10th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $69/person. Please note this event is exclusively for women.

Christmas for the Epicures
The Recreational Division at ICE is holding several holiday themed classes this season, which can also be given as gifts. The latest class, "Christmas for the Epicures" will focus on the unique ingredients of Christmas dinner, from roasted goose to eggnog. The three hour hands-on class will help you work on your culinary techniques and teach you new recipes. Following the class will be an hour long dinner. Christmas for the Epicures will take place at ICE (462 Broadway) on Thurdsay, December 11th from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. $195/person (888.908.2783)

Butchering 101
Nate Appleman and Shelley Lindgren of San Francisco's A16 Restaurant come to Astor Center (399 Lafayette Street) for a butchering demonstration and wine tasting. For "Butchering 101, With a Side of Wine: Baby Porchetta and Southern Italian Wines," Appleman will demonstrate the preparation and butchering of a baby porchetta and will also discuss how to choose sustainably raised meats. Lindgren will complement the demonstration with a tasting of several wines from the restaurants heavily influenced Southern Italian wine list. The event will take place in The Study on Friday, December 12th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tickets: $95/person.

A Taste of Winter Reds
Italian Wine Merchants (108 East 16th Street) is holding a winter-themed tasting, "A Taste of Winter Reds - From Barolo to Amarone." Discover the appropriate reds to serve at your next holiday gathering, or simply get a feel for which wines will warm you up on a snowy night. Participants will sample six different regional wines paired with a sampling of cheeses and house cured meats and a IWN Wine Note Booklet with notes on the featured vino. The tasting will take place on Saturday, December 13th, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tickets: $65/person. (212.473.2323)

Food Finds and Trends
The 92nd Street Y (Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street) presents a panel driven discussion on the latest food tastes, techniques and trends. The panel, moderated by Mike Colameco, will be comprised of Chef Marcus Samuelsson, food writer Ed Levine, former New York food critic Gael Green, and Bon Appetit's Executive Editor Victoria von Biel. The event will take place in Buttenweiser Hall on Monday, December 15th at 8:15 p.m. Tickets: $27/person.