Food and Wine Calendar: foodie festivals
A busy weekend for Texas foodies
Food and wine lovers will have to choose between two of the state's greatest events on the weekend that begins Friday, April 17.
Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival. This four-day event April 16-19 gives you many opportunities to taste the cuisines of some of the state's top chefs, such as Jeff Blank from Hudson's on the Bend and Paul Petersen from the Gage Hotel in Marathon, paired with wines from Texas and elsewhere. It includes seminars and many venues for sampling, from Hill Country winery luncheons with featured chefs to the grand walk-around tasting Saturday night. Based out of the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin. See www.texaswineandfood.org.
Buffalo Gap Wine & Food Summit. This is a smaller event held at Tom Perini's Perini Ranch in Buffalo Gap, south of Abilene, April 17-19. It's an intense weekend and always uniquely Texan, with many activities held outside on the ranch grounds. Events range from wine tasting with Master Sommelier Guy Stout to a "Gourmet on the Range" meal with Stephan Pyles. Check out www.periniranch.com.
Kim Pierce
LAST-MINUTE EASTER PREP: Just in time for Easter, learn how to make sweet confections in this hands-on class: mini hot cross buns; chocolate caramel Easter eggs; lavender tea bread; decorated Easter cookies; and lemon icebox cake. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday; $55. Central Market, Lovers Lane at Greenville Avenue; 214-361-5754.
HEALTHY MEALS: Take advantage of spring fruits and veggies and learn how to create health-conscious dishes in this hands-on class. Coco Frey will lead you through fresh carrot, apple and orange juice; hummus; spinach-stuffed salmon; vegetable risotto; strawberry and walnut mixed green salad with vinaigrette; and berry tart. 6:30 p.m. Tuesday; $69. Sur La Table, 4527 Travis St.; 214-219-4479.
MISS FOOTBALL SEASON? The Glass Cactus at the Gaylord Texan resort is hosting an off-season tailgate party to benefit the North Texas Food Bank. Guests can roam and sample gourmet tailgate dishes prepared by chefs and current and former Dallas Cowboys. The evening also includes live music, a silent auction and a raffle. 7 to 10 p.m. April 19; $125 per person, $225 per couple. Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine; 214-431-4683 or www.ntfb.org.
SPRING TO LIFE AT THE MARKET: Join Dallas chefs at the Dallas Farmers Market this spring for cooking demonstrations inspired by produce available in the nearby stalls. The series, in its 16th year, is sponsored by the American Institute of Wine & Food and the Dallas Farmers Market Friends. The demonstration-kitchen doors open at 11 a.m., and classes are 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, April 25 through May 23; $25 per class in advance, $30 at the door or $110 for all classes in advance. Market Resource Center, 1010 S. Pearl Expressway; 214-653-8088.
April 25: Jim Severson of Sevy's Grill: Swinging Into Spring With Sevy
May 2: Sara Johannes of Five Sixty at Reunion Tower: Asian Influences at the Farmers Market
May 9: Gilbert Garza of Suze Restaurant: Clean Cooking (Without a Lot of Fat)
May 16: Salvatore Gisellu of Daddy Jack's Wood Grill: Tuscan Picnic
May 23: Abraham Salum of Salum: Magic of Essential Oils
Wine events
Single malt and Scotch whisky
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society and the Robb Report host this connoisseur's evening of more than 80 rare and exceptional single-malt Scotch whiskies, with a dinner buffet and premium cigars, 6:30 to 9 p.m. April 16; $130 (advance purchase only). Petroleum Club, 2200 Ross, 40th-floor sky lobby; 1-800-990-1991; www.smwsa.com.
SOUVERAIN DINNER: Jasper's welcomes Souverain winemaker Ed Killian from this Alexander Valley producer, 6:30 tonight; $75 plus tax and 20 percent gratuity. 7161 Bishop (Shops at Legacy), Plano; 972-673-0823.
AROMATIC WINES: Discover gewürztraminer, grüner veltliner and other aromatic varietals, 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday; $25. Charlie Palmer at the Joule, 1530 Main; 214-261-4600.
LIONELLO MARCHESI DINNER: Jimmy's hosts the congenial Italian winemaker, bringing his Super Tuscans, brunellos and more, 6:30 p.m. April 16; $43 plus tax. 4901 Bryan at Fitzhugh; 214-823-6180. Make reservations at paul@jimmysfood store.com.
FISHER VINEYARDS DINNER: Nana hosts proprietor Juelle Fisher from this small-production estate with vineyards on Napa's Spring Mountain and Silverado Trail, 6:30 p.m. April 16; $165 plus tax and gratuity. Hilton Anatole Hotel, 2201 Stemmons, 27th floor; 214-761-7470.
Free this week
WINE TASTING: The Library at the Warwick Melrose hosts a free wine tasting the second Tuesday of every month from 7 to 9 p.m. 3015 Oak Lawn Ave.; 214-224-5151.
OFF THE VINE: Every Friday and Saturday, 1 p.m. to closing, Off the Vine opens two favorites for tasting. 324 S. Main, Grapevine; 817-421-1091.
EASTER WINES: Tivoli opens wines to go with lunch, brunch or dinner, noon to 6 p.m. Saturday. 62 Main St., Colleyville; 817-581-9463.