The Food Section

Agenda: Tequila, Chocolate, and Wine

FEATURED EVENT

Tequila: The Future of Tradition
As spirits go, tequila often gets a bad rap. To educate imbibers about agave (above), tequila's flavor profile, and its rich history, Astor Center (399 Lafayette Street) is presenting a class, "Tequila The Future of Tradition." A discussion will be led by David Suro-Piñera, President of Siembra Azul Tequila and Foundation. along with tequila experts Dr. Rodolfo Fernandez and Claudio Jiménez Vizcarra, all of whom will be presenting in New York City for the first time. Sample a variety of tequilas, learn proper tasting techniques, and finish the evening off with appetizers from Café Frida. The class will take place in Astor Center's Gallery on Friday, May 9th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tickets: $45/person.

EVENTS THIS WEEK (May 7 through 13)

Spring Beers and Spring Cheeses
Saxelby Cheesemongers' Anne Saxelby is teaming up with Back Forty's Michael Fuquay to present a spring cheese and beer tasting. Among the bounty, discover cheeses from Vermont's Lazy Lady Farms and Jefferson, New York's Brovetto Dairy paired with seasonal wheat and other light beers, including Troeg Dream Weaver Wheat from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Schneider Edelweiss Organic Hefeweizen from Bavaria, Germany. The event will take place at Back Forty (190 Avenue B) on Wednesday, May 7th, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Reservations: 212.388.1990. $25/person.

WEP Fundraising Event
The Women's Education Project is hosting a fundraising event to benefit students from the poorest backgrounds in South India succeeding in college and pursuing meaningful careers. The evening's festivities will include fine Indian vegetarian food, Bhangra dancing, open bar, plus raffles for prizes like Betsey Johnson jewelry, Conan O’Brien tickets, a yoga class, and more. The event will take place at  the Om Factory (265 West 37th Street) from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. For more information, contact the program's direction, Zoe Timms. $20/door donation.

Chocolate and Wine Tasting
Join Joan Cukos, owner of the artisinal chocolate shop Chocolat Moderne, for a sampling of her confections paired with wines. Try peanut praline with Amontillado sherry or dark ganache with cabernet sauvignon. The free event will take place at Bottlerocket Wine + Spirit (5 West 19th Street) on Saturday, May 10th, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Reservations are not required.

Wine and Sailing Excursion
Dynamic Outdoors is hosting a sailing excursion to Long Island Sound combined with an afternoon wine tasting at North Fork Vineyards. Spend the two hour adventure learning sailing skills or simply relaxing. Arrive at the vineyard and enjoy a picnic lunch with the wine tasting. The event will take place on Sunday, May 11th, departing at 9:00 a.m. from the Upper West Side and 9:15 a.m. from the Upper East Side, with the return arrival at about 5:00 p.m. Tickets: $79/person.

All in the Family
Throughout the month of May Murray's Cheese (254 Bleecker Street) is celebrating "The Mothers of Cheesemaking." "All in the Family" is a class focusing on cheeses produced by family run businesses. Join instructor Lousie Geller for a plate full of cheese from families like the Kehler brothers of Jasper Hill Farm and the mother-son combo at Cato Corner Farm. The class will take place on Monday, May 12th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. $50/person.

Slice, Dice and Spice NY
If you've got a little free time and are itching for a culinary getaway, head upstate to the Finger Lakes for Slice, Dice and Spice, NY. Among the highlights is an Iron Chef-style competition featuring the regions’ culinary assets. Teams will be asked to create a meal using common "Market Basket" ingredients, plus one secret ingredient. All of the products used in the competition will be exclusive to the region from local farmers and food producers. The event will take place beginning Monday, May 12th, through Thursday, May 15th, at the New York Wine & Culinary Center (800 South Main Street, Canandaigua). For more information, visit the official site. Tickets for the Final Cook-Off are $50/person.

Image: Siembra Azul.

Agenda: Date Night, Brooklyn Eats, a Day-A-Whey, and Audible Eating

FEATURED EVENT

Sweet Eats to Heady Drinks
The Culinary Historians of New York present Dates in "Medieval Baghdad: Sweet Eats to Heady Drinks." Discover how medieval Baghdadi cooks and wine makers exploited the date, from its versatility as a sweetener to its ability to produce highly intoxicating wines. The lecture will be led by native Iraqi Professor Nawal Nasrallah (author, Delights from the Garden of Eden: A Cookbook). The event will take place at the National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South) on Monday, May 5th with check-in and reception at 7:30 p.m. followed by the lecture at 8:00 p.m. Tickets available through Brown Paper Tickets. $40/non-members and guests, $25/members, $22/students and seniors.

EVENTS THIS WEEK (April 30 through May 6)

Brooklyn Eats Tasting Event
The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce presents the 11th Annual BROOKLYN EATS food fest at Abigail Kirsch at Stage 6 Steiner Studios (Brooklyn Navy Yard). Sample tasting portions of signature dishes from over 34 Brooklyn restaurants, complete with international wines, micro-brews, coffee, and Brooklyn sodas. Winners of the sixth annual Brooklyn Eats Scholarships will also be announced. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 30th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. $95/advanced ticket, $115/at the door.

UNISG Information Session
The University of Gastronomic Sciences will be holding an information session for prospective students interested in learning more about the school's programs and application procedures. The school was founded in 2003 by international Slow Food and has two campuses in the Italian regions of Piedmont and Emilia-Romagna. UNISG's four programs include an Undergraduate Degree in Gastronomy, a Graduate Degree in Gastronomic Business Management, a Master in Gastronomic Sciences, and a Master in Food Culture and Communication. The session will take place on Thursday, May 1st, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Murray's Cheese (254 Bleecker Street). Last minute attendees are welcome. To attend the session, email your name and phone number to d.szanto@unisg.it.

Meaty Demonstration
The Broadway Panhandler's series "Demonstrations and Conversations" presents Cree LeFavour, author of The New Steak: Recipes for a Range of Cuts plus Savory Sides. Using fresh ingredients and various cooking methods, LeFavour will demonstrate how to transform overlooked steak cuts including skirt, iron and flank into new favorites accompanied by savory sides. The free event will take place at Broadway Panhandler (65 East 8th Street) on Saturday, May 3rd from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (212.966.3434)

Sausage and Maibock Festival
Usher in biergarten season at Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten's 5th Annual German Sausage and Maibock Bier Festival. The festival will feature a variety of German sausage platters paired with Maibock Beer. The event will take place on Saturday, May 3rd at Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten (7 Rivington Street) from 3:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Admission is free, but is strictly on a first come, first serve basis. Contact the restaurant for more information: 212.253.7077 or info@loreleynyc.com.

Day A-Whey
Saxelby Cheesemongers presents its first "Day-A-Whey" trip for the year. The day begins with a wine tasting and picnic at the Wolffer Vineyard followed by a tour of Mecox Bay Dairy. If the weather permits, there will also be a stop for a break at a local beach. The event will take place on Sunday May 4th, with the bus departing from Saxelby Cheesemongers (120 Essex Street) at 8:30 a.m. sharp. Tickets available through Brown Paper Tickets. $110/person.

The Five Senses Dinner Series
Blue Hill at Stone Barns (630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills, New York) is presenting the second event in a unique series of dinners, each of which focuses on one of the five senses: touch, taste, sight, smell, and hearing. The events are hosted by Executive Chef Dan Barber, along with special guests. Proceeds from the dinner series benefit the non-profit The Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture. The second dinner will focus on the sense of hearing featuring Grammy-winning violinist and composer Mark O'Connor, who will use American classical music to convey the sounds of nature. "Hearing" will take place on Sunday, May 4th, 6:00 p.m. Seating is extremely limited; to RSVP, call 914.366.6200, ext. 110. $200/person.

Image: iStockphoto.

Agenda: Book Talk, Bake Sale, Greek Easter, and Craft Beer

FEATURED EVENT

Book Talk
Brooklyn's Montauk Club will launch its monthly series, "Facts & Fictions," with readings from authors Alex Prud'homme (My Life in France) and Kim Sunée (Trail of Crumbs: Hunger, Love, and the Search for Home). The free event will take place Wednesday, April 23rd at 7:00 p.m. at the Montauk Club (25 8th Avenue, Brooklyn). For more information, contact montaukreadings@gmail.com.

EVENTS THIS WEEK (April 23 through April 29)

What to Produce with Your Produce
Having trouble deciding what to make with a winter's bounty? CIA Enthusiasts is featuring a demonstration course, Vegetables: What to Produce with Your Produce.  The tasting menu will include chayote-jicama salsa, hoisin-caramelized root vegetables, artichoke and spinach risotto, and fettuccine with corn, squash, chiles, crème fraîche, and cilantro. The Event will take place at The Culinary Institute of America at Astor Center (399 Lafayette Street) on Wednesday, April 23rd from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.  Tuition: $95/person. (800.888.7850)

Craft Beer Festival
TAP New York presents its 2008 Craft Beer and Fine Food Festival.  More than 100 beers from over 30 small scale breweries from around the state will be featured, along will beer/food pairings, chef cooking demonstrations, and home brewing education.  Be on the lookout for some competition as well, as TAP bestows the honor of "Best Beer" and "Best Brewery" in New York State to two lucky recipients.The event will take place at the Base Lodge at Hunter Mountain on Saturday, April 26th and Sunday April 27th from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.  Pre-purchased tickets: $54/Saturday, $44/Sunday.

Greek Easter Feast at Milos
Easter is the most important holiday in the Greek Orthodox Church, symbolizing rebirth and focusing on food and family. In celebration of the end of the meat-free Lenten fast, Milos Estiatorios (125 West 55th Street) is throwing its annual weekend-long Traditional Greek Easter Feast, complete with 16 lambs roasting in front of the restaurant. The main festivities will be on Saturday, culminating with a three-course traditional Easter dinner of mageritsa (traditional Easter soup), the spit-roasted lamb, and Greek pastries. Sunday will include a smaller celebration, with spit-roasted lamb and potatoes being offered a la carte. Greek Easter Feast will take place on Saturday, April 26th and Sunday, Sunday April 27th. 3-course menu $92/person, a la carte $38/person. Reservations: 212.245.7400.

Book and Bake Sale
The Sangam House is presenting its 1st Annual Book and Bake sale, the proceeds of which will benefit the organization's writer's residency program. Sample spiked punch and other cocktails from Milk & Honey's Matty Gee, participate in a pie throwing contest, and bid on signed books from Salman Rushdie, Giada De Laurentiis, Gael Green and others through the silent auction. The event will take place at the Montauk Club (25 8th Avenue, Brooklyn) on Tuesday, April 29th from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Tickets: $15/advance, $20/at the door.

Eating Their Words
After the success of their premiere events in early March, Eating Their Words will be hosting an encore performance at The Tasting Room (264 Elizabeth Street). The events will blend the talents of a veteran chef with three established playwrights, creating original, unique dining and theater experiences. The plays are written explicitly for the evening, inspiring the chef to design a menu which will complement and enhance the play. The encore performance will take place Tuesday, April 29th at 7:00 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the Eating Their Words website. $250/premium seating, $285/VIP seating.

Agenda: Sakura in Manhattan, A Spicy World, and the Tuscan Nose

FEATURED EVENT

Sakura Festival
Sakura, the cherry blossom, is the national flower of Japan, and its annual bloom season is a cause for celebration throughout the country and the world. New Yorkers can celebrate cherry blossom season with a Sakura Festival at EN Brasserie (435 Hudson Street). To replicate an evening of dining under pink cherry blossoms in Japan, the restaurant will be decorated in with the blooming flowers. As part of the celebration, a special Sakura Kaiseki menu will highlight seasonal Japanese delicacies, incorporating the delicate blossoms within the dishes. The festival will take place beginning on Monday, April 21st, and will last through to Sunday, May 4th. Sakura Kaiseki menu: $80/person. Reservations: 212.647.9196.

EVENTS THIS WEEK (April 16 through April 22)

Wines of Austria
Austria has been gaining momentum as an excellent world-class producer of dry white, reds, and sweet wines. To familiarize wine lovers with the varietals of this lesser known wine-producing country, Chelsea Wine Vault (inside Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Avenue) is presenting a class: Wines of Austria. The class will take place on Wednesday, April 16th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. $75/person. For reservations, call 212.462.4244 or email rsvp@chelseawinevault.com.

Journeys in Chinese Gastronomy 
The Asia Society presents "Beyond Shark’s Fin and Fortune Cookies: Exciting Journeys in Chinese Gastronomy." Discover the story behind the real General Tso and find out who really invented the fortune cookie. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 16th, at the Asia Society Museum Auditorium (725 Park Avenue) from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tickets $30/non-members, $15/members and students (212.517.ASIA).

Lisbon and Spices
The Culinary Historians of New York present "Lisbon and Spices: Transforming the World's Culinary Horizons" (PDF), with spice expert Michael Krondl. The lecture will touch upon topics including Europe's taste for spices during the Renaissance and how the "age of exploration" influenced the world's taste for spice. The event will take place at Astor Center (399 Layafette Street, 2nd Floor) on Thursday, April 17th, with a reception at 6:30 p.m. and the lecture at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets: $40/non-members, $25/members, $22/students and seniors.

Pasta Primo Vino
Celebrate the arrival of spring at the Shawangunk Wine Trail - the closest wine trail to New York City, Westchester, Albany, Bergen County NJ, and Connecticut. To commemorate the season, 10 wineries open their doors and pair their Hudson Valley wines with tasty pasta recipes. Many will also showcase new releases. The event will take place on Saturday, April 19th and Sunday, April 20th from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day. Tickets will be valid for both days and include the tastings and pasta sampling.  Advanced Tickets: $20/person, $25/at the door.

The Tuscan Nose
Slow Food USA is presenting a wine tasting fundraiser, The Tuscan Nose.  The tasting will feature some of the best Chiantis on the market, paired with hors d’oeuvres made from Ark of Taste products.  Adding to the atmosphere will be the aromas of Tuscany, "The Essences of Chianti Classico," prepared by decorated Italian perfumer Lorenzo Villoresi. The event will take place on Monday, April 21st at 583 Park Avenue from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $40/person.

Free Bags at Fairway Market
In honor of Earth Day, all four Fairway Market locations will participate in a special event to help customers go green. The first 250 customers in each store will receive a free reusable shopping bag, plus dozens of coupons for discounts on eco-friendly products. The giveaway takes place on Tuesday, April 22nd, click here for opening hours and locations.

Agenda: Umami Festival, Kabbalah Cuisine, and Pizza Fundamentals

FEATURED EVENT

Umami: Food and Art Festival
The human tounge senses five tastes: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami. Umami is a Japanese word meaning "savory" or "meaty" and applies to a sensation common in meats, cheese, and other protein-rich foods or to "earthy" foods such as mushrooms and soy sauce, high in glutamates. The Umami Festival comprises a series of tastings, workshops, and performances aimed at bringing together artists and culinarians who use food as a medium. The Umami Food and Art Festival will take place Tuesday April 8th through Friday, April 18th at Roulette (20 Greene Street). For a full list of events, ticket prices, and more information, visit the offical site.

EVENTS THIS WEEK (April 9 to 15)

Beard on Books
This month's "Beard on Books" literary series will feature a reading and discussion led by Mary Lou and Robert J. Heiss, authors of The Story of Tea: A Cultural History and Drinking Guide. Discover new information on tea's turbulent 2,000 year history. The event will take place at The Beard House (167 West 12th Street) on Wednesday, April 9th at 12:00 noon. Recommended donation: $20/person.

The Kabbalah of Food
Murray's Cheese (254 Bleecker Street) is presenting an historic course, "The Kabbalah of Food," which will delve into the world of Kabbalah to experience and understand the food we eat and how we eat it. A tasting of cheese, oil, bread, pastries, and more will be included. The event will take place on Thursday, April 10th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. $50/person.

Schools, Food and Community
Baum Forum and the Nutrition Program, Teachers College Columbia University, present their 2008 conference, Schools, Food and Community. Aimed at teachers, administrators, food service and public health professionals, advocates, youth, and parents, the day and a half conference will focus on the School Food revolution and getting kids more involved in their health and the culinary arts. The event will take place on Friday April 11th and Saturday April 12th at the Teachers College Columbia University (525 West 120th Street). Pre-registration is required. $115/standard package.

Extreme Chocolate Walking Tour
The 92nd Street Y is hosting a walking tour for chocoholics. Join culinary historian and instructor Alexandra Leaf to learn about current chocolate trends, visit a chocolate factory, and taste samples of an assortment of chocolates and hot chocolate. The event takes place Friday, April 11th from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., starting at Divalicious Chocolates (365 Broome Street). Tickets $75/person.

Hands-On Pizza Making
The Astor Center (399 Layafette Street) presents an action packed workshop on at-home pizza making. Led by chef Mark Bello (owner, Pizza A Casa), the class will cover important pizza fundamentals including sauce secrets, forming the perfect crust, toppings, and of course, eating. The class will take place in the Astor Center Kitchen on Sunday, April 13th from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets: $175/person.

Agenda: Sensual Dinners, Food on Film, and Japanese Essentials

FEATURED EVENT

The Five Senses Dinner Series
Blue Hill at Stone Barns (630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills, New York) is presenting a unique series of dinners, each of which focuses on one of the five senses: touch, taste, sight, smell, and hearing. The events will be hosted by Executive Chef Dan Barber, along with special guests. Proceeds from the dinner series will benefit the non-profit The Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture. The first dinner will focus on the sense of smell and feature a "virtual meal" comprised entirely of scents, aromatic cocktails, and more. Special guests for the evening will be Rachel Herz, a leading expert on the psychology of smell, and Christopher Brosius, an award-winning designer of innovative perfumes. "Smell" will take place on Sunday, April 6th, 6:00 p.m. Seating is extremely limited; to RSVP, call 914.366.6200 ext. 110. $200/person.

EVENTS THIS WEEK (April 2 through April 8)

Spring for City Harvest
During the month of April, restaurants throughout the city will work in conjunction with City Harvest for the "Spring for City Harvest" campaign. The participating restaurants, including Dylan Prime, Ed’s Lobster Bar, Eleven Madison Park, Gotham Bar and Grill, Le Bernardin, Momofuko Ssam bar, The Red Cat, Strip House, and Telepan, have committed to donating 10% of their profits to the organization in a pledge to help feed New York city's hungry. As part of the event, many of the restaurants will offer special menu items and prix fixe options. For more information and a complete list of restaurants, visit the offical site.

Cheeses of the Northeast
The Artisanal Premium Cheese Center (500 West 37th Street) will present a class on regional cheeses: "Eat Local - Cheeses of the Northeast." Discussion will be led by cheese maker Mateo Kehler (Jasper Hill Farm, Vermont) and fromager Waldemar Albrecht, who will sample and lecture on world class cheeses from the local Northeast region. The class will take place on Friday, April 4th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. $75/person.

Hike, Wine, and Charcuterie Tasting
Enjoy a beautiful hike through the Hudson River Palisades followed by a private tasting and full charcuterie spead at one of the city's premier wine shops, NY Wine Company. The purpose of the outing is designed to show you how important your nose is when it comes to wine. 6 basic smells that are common in wine, ranging from minerals to tropical fruits, will be identified. The event takes place Saturday, April 6th from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The departing location will be 73rd and Broadway with the end location of NY Wine Company (21 Warren Street). $98/person.

Food for Thought Film Festival
The purpose of this second annual Festival is to raise awareness of current food issues through the medium of film. The program will include three feature films: King Corn, Life and Debt and Black Gold. Attendees will also have the chance to view the trailer for Asparagus: Stalking the American Life, view an excerpt from the film Birdsong and Coffee, and other short films. The first of three free festival events takes place at the Communal Space at Good Shepherd (108 Cooper Street, Inwood) on Saturday, April 5th, at 12 noon. To make a donation, click here.

Rice, Dashi, and the Four Brews
EN Japanese Brasserie (435 Hudson Street) will present a demonstration and tasting on six key ingredients in Japanese cooking. Rice, dashi, and the "four brews" are considered the building blocks of all Japanese cuisine. Chef Yasuhiro Honma will lead the demonstration, emphasizing the role and importance of each ingredient. Journalist and Japanese food culture expert Harris Salat will moderate. The event will take place on Sunday, April 6th at 4:00 p.m. $80/person. Reservations: 212.647.9196 ext. 204.

Hands-On Espresso Fundamentals
Joe the Art of Coffee will be offering a coffee class on espresso in which some of the company's professional baristi will explain the art and science behind the perfect espresso shot. Later, they will coach participants on pulling their own shots on the shop's brand new La Marzocco GS3 espresso machine. The unique equipment is a professional-grade home espresso machine which pulls shots and steams milk just like coffee shop machines, but plugs into a normal wall outlet, does not need to be plumbed, and is transportable. Hands-On Espresso Fundamentals will take place at Joe's 13th Street location (9 East 13th Street) on Sunday, April 6th at 8:00 p.m. To RSVP, email Gabrielle. $25/person.

Image: iStockphoto.

Agenda: 100-Mile Dinner, Extreme Beers, and Escape to the Hamptons

FEATURED EVENT

The Hundred-Mile Dinner
Slow Food NYC is presenting a fundraising dinner to benefit Slow Foods in Schools programs throughout the city. Hosted by Jimmy Carbone (proprietor, Jimmy's No.43), the menu will feature creations by Chef Philip Kirschen with ingredients that traveled no more than 100 miles from farm to plate. The menu features dishes like "Surf and Turf" tataki of venison and yellow fin tuna, merlot braised lamb cheeks, and spicy collard greens with bosc pear. All courses will also be accompanied by a locally produced wine or hard cider. The event will take place at Jimmy's No. 43 (43 East 7th Street) on Sunday, March 30th. Two seatings are available at 6:00 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. Those who wish to contribute an additional donation may do so when they purchase their tickets. Tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets $85/members, $105/non-members.

EVENTS THIS WEEK (March 26 through April 1)

Dine-In Brooklyn 2008
There is still time to take advantage of this year's Dine-In Brooklyn promotion. More than 175 of the borough's restaurants are participating with three-course prix fixe menus for $23. Peruse the list and be sure to call ahead to make sure your choices are offering lunch, dinner, or both. The event continues now through Monday, March 31st.

Beer 201: Extreme Beers
Beer expert Gregg Glaser will lead a class on a special segment of artisanal libations, "extreme beers." The term refers to high alcohol, highly hopped, and undeniably massive beers which are being produced by many US craft brewers. Discover the various ingredients, styles, and techniques used in this category of beer. The class will take place on Friday, March 28th, in the Study of the Astor Center (399 Lafayette Street) from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tickets $75/person.

Foodie NYC Weekend Tasting
Reservations are now being accepted for Foodie NYC's next series of tastings. The five-course menus will consist of seasonal ingredients, inspired by the flavors of Puerto Rico and paired with wine. The three consecutive evenings of tastings will take place Friday March 28th through Sunday, March 30th at a secret location which will only be revealed to those who RSVP.  Seating is quite limited, contact joe@foodienyc.com to RSVP. $85/person.

Maple Weekend 2008
Did you know the Empire State is the world's third leading maple syrup producer? Celebrate all the maple New York has to offer through this year's Maple Weekend. Close to 110 producers throughout the state will participate in free open houses. Observe tree tapping, the boiling of sap into syrup, and some sugar houses will even demonstrate the making of maple cream, maple sugar, and other maple candies. These free events take place Saturday, March 29th and Sunday, March 30th, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, call the Wyoming County Maple Producers Association (585.591.1190).

Spring Barbecue
Flatbush Farm (76 Saint Marks Avenue, Brooklyn) continues in its barbecue tradition with its first Backyard BBQ of spring. Enjoy Chef Stephen Browning's grilled venison sausage with braised red cabbage, grilled bluepoint oysters, vegetarian chili, veal and marjoram sausage with saurkraut, grilled lamb skewers, and Sixpoint Craft Ales. The spring kick-off event takes place Sunday, March 30th, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (718.622.3276)

The Chocolate Collection
Spend Sunday night sampling chocolate in its purest, most decadent, and highly evolved forms. The 92nd Street Y (92nd Street and Lexington) presents "The Chocolate Collection: An Evening of Tasting." Meet chocolatiers, learn about chocolate and wine pairings, and get the inside scoop on where to find the best chocolate. The event will take place Sunday, March 30th at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $65/person

Hamptons Restaurant Week
Hampton's lovers will rejoice with an excuse to travel out to Long Island before the kick off of summer. Restaurants participating in the Sixth Annual Hamptons Restaurant week will feature 3-course prix fixe menus for $21.95. The events take place Sunday, March 30th through Sunday, April 6th.  For more information and to make reservations, visit the official site.

Knife Skills
The Natural Gourmet Institute for Food and Health (48 W. 21st Street, 2nd floor) will be offering a class on basic knife skills. Learn both Japanese and French knife techniques for mincing, dicing, shredding and more. Discover how to properly pick out your knives, plus proper sharpening and maintenance. The class will be held on Monday, March 31st from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. $85/person, $160/two people.

Agenda: North of the Border BBQ, Brooklyn Eats, and Home Entertaining

FEATURED EVENT

Crazy Canuck Barbecue Dinner
Get a taste of barbecue, north of the border-style, at the Crazy Canuck Winter Barbecue Dinner. The dinner will feature food prepared by wild-haired chef Ted Reader, one of Canada's most adventurous and celebrated barbecue experts. Look for treats like maple-smoked chicken lollipops and cherry Coke-marinated brisket paired with Canadian wines and beers. The event will take place on Wednesday, March 19th, at 7:00 p.m. at the James Beard House (167 West 12th Street). Tickets $155/person, $125/members (212.627.2308).

EVENT THIS WEEK (March 19 through March 25)

Kitchen, Art, and Memory
Now through April 12th, head to the Friedrich Petzel Gallery (525 West 22nd Street) for the latest exhibition by Keith Edmier, "Bremen Towne." For his fourth solo exhibition, Edmier sculpturally reproduced the interior spaces of his childhood home in Tinley Park, a southwestern suburb of Chicago, including a full-scale replica of his family's retro kitchen. Information: 212.680.9467 or info@petzel.com.

Short Rib Tutorial
The upscale salad and sandwich shop Starwich (525 West 42nd Street) is offering the second in its series of tutorials on ingredients. This time, the theme ingredient will be Short Ribs, and the session will focus heavily on the technique of braising and how it applies well to short ribs. To bring the cooking to life, samples of short ribs will be on hand, along with complimentary wine. The free event will take place on Thursday, March 20th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Reservations are required. (212.462.2310)

Easter Dinner
Lupa Osteria Romana (170 Thomson Street) presents a four-course Easter dinner celebration. The special holiday menu includes an Easter antipasti, rabbit-stuffed tortellini, lamb ragu, roasted monkfish, and other favorites. Little bambino options are also available. The event takes place on Easter Sunday, March 23rd, with seating at 12:00 noon through 10:00 p.m. $65/person. (212.982.5089)

Dine-In Brooklyn 2008
Sample some of the best food in Brooklyn through this year's Dine-In Brooklyn. More than 175 of the borough's finest restaurants will participate by offering three-course prix fixe menus for $23. Peruse the list and be sure to call ahead to make sure your choices are offering lunch, dinner, or both. The event takes place starting Monday, March 24th, through Monday, March 31st.

Stinky Cheese
Cheese is perhaps the only food in which a strong, often unpleasant, odor translates into superior flavor. In order to demystify this enigma, the Artisanal Premium Cheese Center (500 West 37th Street) is presenting a course on smelly cheeses led by fromager Waldemar Albrecht. Sample some of the best washed-rind cheeses paired with seasonal beers. The class will take place Tuesday March 25th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. $75/person.

Techniques for Home Entertaining
Have you always wanted to throw amazing home events, but your skills are a little less Martha Stewart and a little more Jon Stewart? The Culinary Center of New York presents a three-week course with techniques on how to make you a better home entertainer. Learn to create menus, plan shopping lists, and manage your time effectively for three types of gatherings: a cocktail party, a dinner party, and a buffet dinner. Starting Tuesday, March 25th, classes meet every Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at The Inn on 23rd (131 West 23rd Street). Tuition is $360/person. For more of the Center's course offerings, check out its March Calendar.

Image: iStockphoto.

Agenda: Chop Suey, Tea Parties, Sharp Blades, and Sweet Chemistry

FEATURED EVENT

The History of Chop Suey
Both beloved and abhorred, chop suey is widely accepted as the dish that opened the American palate to exotic cuisines. The Culinary Historians of New York will be presenting a dinner and lecture, "The History of Chop Suey in America," led by independent scholar Andrew Coe. Coe is currently working on a book about the history of Chinese food in the United States, expected to be published in 2009. The event will take place on Thursday, March 13, at Grand Harmony Restaurant (98 Mott Street) with a buffet dinner at 6:00 p.m., followed by the lecture at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets. $45/non-members, $30/members, $27 student and senior members.

EVENTS THIS WEEK (March 12 through 18)

Knife Sharpening 
Broadway Panhandler (65 East 8th Street) will be sponsoring an in-store Knife Sharpening Event, the proceeds of which will benefit City Harvest. For a small donation (100% of which will support City Harvest), participants may have up to three knives sharpened. There will also be culinary demonstrations, including knife skills with Ben Grossman, Chef/Owner of The Smoke Joint, and cookie decorating with Tina Casaceli, owner of Milk & Cookies Bakery. The event will take place on Saturday, March 15th, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. $10/person.

Celtic Tea Celebration
In honor of Saint Patrick's Day, Tea Master Elizabeth Knight will host a special Afternoon Tea at Fives restaurant at The Peninsula New York (Fifth Avenue and 55th Street). Sip Celtic tea and enjoy warm scones and pastries as Knight discusses her new book, Celtic Teas with Friends, Teatime Traditions from Cornwall, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Knight will also share her ideas for hosting tea parties, the benefits of tea, and its related etiquette. The event will take place on Saturday, March 15. For reservations and more information, call 212.903.3918.

Jewish Home Cooking
Rugelach, matzo brei, challah, brisket, and much more. In honor of his Yiddish grandmothers, "Food Maven" Arthur Schwartz has written a new book, Arthur Schwartz's Jewish Home Cooking. Sample Schwartz's kugel as he leads a slideshow lecture discussing the book. The event will take place at the 92nd Street Y (Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street) on Sunday, March 16th at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $26/person.

Spring Wine Dinners
Blue Hill (75 Washington Place) will be presenting two wine dinners which will feature one last taste of winter and preview of spring flavors. Both event