Culinary calendar

SPRING VEGETABLE COOKING CLASS: Denise Barratt shares recipes and samples to enjoy your spring harvest to its fullest, 10 a.m. today, at the N.C. Arboretum. $16 members, $22 non-members. Register at 665-2492. The arboretum is off Brevard Road, south of the Biltmore Square Mall.

WINE DINNER: Spring dinner paired with wines from the Weinhaus, 7 p.m. Thursday, The Grovewood Café, 111 Grovewood Road, Asheville. $65. Call 254-6453 to reserve.

MEMORYCARE WINE TASTING: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, at WineStyles, 10 Crispin Court, #102, Asheville. Benefit tasting and raffle. $10; additional wine available for $5 per glass. Light appetizers provided. Call 277-9463.

NATURAL FOODS CLASS: Learn to make tasty treats and more the all-natural, healthy way, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, at Lenore's Natural Cuisine, 164 Ox Creek Road, Weaverville. $55. Call 645-1412 to register.

COOKING DEMO: Skirt Steak Fajita with Corn and Black Bean Salad. 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Fresh Market, 944 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, and 3-6 p.m. May 23, 223 Greenville Highway, Hendersonville. No appointment required; stop by anytime.

GUILT-FREE DESSERTS: Cooking class on making desserts that are gluten, dairy and sugar free, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Earth Fare South, 1856 Hendersonville Road, Asheville. $10. Advance registration required, 210-0100.

WINE DINNER: 7 p.m. May 13, hosted by Curras Dom and The Wine Guy. Tryon Distributors on hand to present Spanish wines of Jorge Ordonez. $70. Advance reservations at 253-2111.

EXPLORING THE HERBAL PANTRY: Workshop of techniques for creating and using culinary gardens in everyday cooking, 5:30 p.m. May 14, at the N.C. Arboretum. $26 members, $32 non-members. Register at 665-2492. The arboretum is off Brevard Road, south of the Biltmore Square Mall.

CHEF'S TABLE WINE DINNER: 7 p.m. May 15, with The Wine Guy and Food Experience Caterers, 40 Airport Road, Fletcher. $70. Advance reserve at 687-0233.

FUTURE LEGENDS OF BBQ: Featuring BBQ guru Mike Mills, a competition and BBQ Ball, 11 a.m. May 15, at Hubba Hubba Smokehouse, 2724 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock. Benefits Henderson County Young Leaders. RSVP by May 8 to ddwalsh@mchsi.com. More info at 243-0449.

WINE TASTING: 5-8 p.m. May 19, Asheville Wine Market, 65 Biltmore Ave. Part of a statewide, week-long festival of touring winery owners/principals and winemakers. 253-0060 for more.

CANNING AND PRESERVING: This workshop is an introduction to canning, pickling, jams and jellies, freezing, drying and storage. 6-9:30 p.m. May 19, Buncombe County Extension, 94 Coxe Ave., Asheville. 255-5522.

WINE TASTING: Compare and contrast wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire and Rhone valleys and the south of France, 7 p.m. May 20, The Wine Guy North, 555 Merrimon Ave., Asheville. $20. Call 254-6500 for reservations.

ROOT BEER WORKSHOP: Participants will become chef's and chemists as they sterilize bottles, identify and process roots, measure, learn about yeast, cap bottles and then take root beer home, 6-8 p.m. May 21, Earth Fare West, Westgate Parkway, Asheville. Free. All ages welcome, but children need to be accompanied by an adult. Reserve in advance at 658-0838.

WINE TASTING: Nine reds from all over Spain, 7 p.m. May 21, The Wine Guy South, 1200 Hendersonville Road, Arden. $20. Advance reservations at 277-1120.

WINE DINNER: Brazilian cuisine paired with fine wines from The Weinhaus, 7 p.m. May 21, Cedar Crest Inn, Biltmore Estate, Asheville. $60. Call 254-6453.

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN: Class series covers safety in the kitchen, reading and understanding labels, preparing and cookies items from various food groups and beginning menus. 10 a.m.-noon May 23, Stecoah Valley Center, Robbinsville. $20. Parents can drop off children, ages 10 and up, with advance reservations and payment. 479-3364.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON TASTING: Nine full-bodied wines from around the world, 7 p.m. May 27, The Wine Guy North, 555 Merrimon Ave., Asheville. $20. Reservations at 254-6500.

SOURDOUGH FROM SCRATCH: Students will learn how to make the sourdough starter, bread, rolls, pizza crust, and cinnamon rolls, from beginning to finished product. All ingredients will be provided, and students will be able to take home samples of what they prepare. 10 a.m.-noon May 28, Stecoah Valley Center, Robbinsville. $20. Register at 479-3364.

COLLECTIVE SPIRITS WINE FESTIVAL: Grand wine tastings, silent auction, local chefs' fare, symposium of leading U.S. wine specialists and gala seated dinner. May 29-30, The Bascom, 554 Main St., Highlands. More at 526-4949.

WINE DINNER: Five-course dinner paired with wines from Sheridan Vineyards, 6 p.m. May 29, Horizon Restaurant, Grove Park Inn, 290 Macon Ave., Asheville. Reservation at 800-438-5800.

WINE TASTING: Flight taste of shiraz wines from the southern hemisphere, paired with samples of chocolate truffles from The Chocolate Fetish, 5:30 p.m. May 29, at The Weinhaus, 86 Patton Ave., Asheville. $10. 254-6453.

BEER, BBQ AND BASEBALL: 1:30-4 p.m. May 31, McCormick Field, Asheville. $35 includes game admission, local beers and BBQ. Questions to 254-6453.

DOWN UNDER TASTING: Wines from Australia and New Zealand, 7 p.m. June 3, The Wine Guy North, 555 Merrimon Ave., Asheville. $20. Reservations at 254-6500.

“SUMMER ON THE SIDE”: Participants will prepare and taste 15 of the season's top recipes using local, organic produce. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. June 13, Stecoah Valley Center, Robbinsville. $55 covers all materials. Advance registration required, 479-3364.

FUNDRAISING DINNER: Support Keowee Chamber Music, June 14, at Stovetrotters Bistro, 4 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville. Reception starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by multi-course meal and wine. $75. Advance registration required, 254-7123.

PINOT NOIR TASTING: Nine Pinot wines from around the world, 7 p.m. June 17, The Wine Guy North, 555 Merrimon Ave., Asheville. $25. Reservations at 254-6500.

FISH FRY: Family-style dinner with two seatings, 5 and 6:15 p.m. June 20, Stecoah Valley Center, Robbinsville. Reservations required. $15 adults, $10 students. 479-3364.

CLOS LA CHANCE WINE DINNER: 7 p.m. June 24, at The Marketplace, 20 Wall St., Asheville. Dinner paired with Central Coast wines. $70. Reservations at 252-4162.

ONGOING
ACF WNC CULINARY ASSOCIATION: Monthly meetings hosted by area chefs to facilitate continuing education for home and professional chefs. Monday: 6 p.m., Sunburst Trout Farm, 128 Raceway Place, Canton. Questions to Chef Michael at 230-6078 or mrfchef@hotmail.com.

COOKING CLASSES: Explore the art of cooking in various weeklong and weekend classes at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown. Classes cover a wide range of styles and foods. Complete schedule at www.folkschool.org. Call 837-2775.

CULINARY RETREATS: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., the second Saturday of each month, Stecoah Valley Center offers the opportunity to spend a few hours in the kitchen, take cooking classes from local food experts. Space must be reserved and paid ($55) in advance. Call 479-3364 or visit www.stecoahvalleycenter.com.

FREE BEER TASTINGS: Featuring eclectic, new micro-brews, 4-6 p.m. the last Thursday of each month. Grove Arcade Corner Market, Page Avenue, downtown Asheville. Call 225-4949.

FREE BEER AND WINE TASTINGS: Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Road, Asheville, offers free beer tastings 4-7 p.m. Fridays, and free wine tastings 3-6 p.m. Saturdays. Call 252-5275.

FREE WINE TASTINGS: The Wine Guy, 1200 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, offers free tastings 4-6 p.m. Saturdays. Call 254-6500.

FREE WINE TASTINGS: The Weinhaus, 86 Patton Ave., Asheville, offers free monthly tastings. For times, call 254-6453.

FREE WINE TASTINGS: Complimentary tastings, featuring Italian wines and hors d'oeuvres, 5-7 p.m. Fridays. Wine bar open daily serving wines by the glass. Special theme events every Friday. Divine Wine, 1011 Tunnel Road, Asheville (across from Pomodoro's.) 505-1814.

FREE WINE TASTINGS: Winemonger Keith Dalbec pours tastes from noon-3 p.m. every Friday and Saturday when Blue Water Seafood is not having an event. 532 Kanuga Road, Hendersonville. Call for details, 697-0503.

FREE WINE TASTINGS: 4-6 p.m. Saturdays, featuring a new vineyard or distributor each week, Wine Emporium, 229 Airport Road, Arden, 687-8028.

FRESH ON FRIDAY: Get a taste of what the mountains have to offer, fresh bread and other local products, wine tasting and classical guitar. 4-6 p.m. every Friday, Grove Arcade Corner Market, Page Avenue, downtown Asheville. Call 225-4949.

FRIDAY NIGHT FLIGHTS: 5:30-7:30 p.m. the last Friday of each month, at the Weinhaus, 86 Patton Ave., Asheville. $10. Call 254-6453.

GIRLS ON GRAPES: Taste an average of five wines at the monthly club meeting. Meets at Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Road, Asheville. Club is for women only. The initial visit is $10. Annual membership is $25, but members must pay $10 at each tasting they come to (non-members pay $15). Visit www.ashevillewineconsulting.com or call 273-1889. April tasting is old world vs. new world wines; meets 5-7 p.m. Sunday. Registration required at girls@ashevillewineconsulting.com.

ITALIAN COOKING CLASSES: Series of classes with Italian native Wally Maria. Learn how to prepare dishes, where to shop and how to combine courses for healthy, flavorful meals. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, June 20, July 18, Aug. 15, Sept. 19, Oct. 17, Nov. 14, Dec. 12, Weaverville. Cost is $50 per class, or $250 for six classes. Call 658-8928 to register. Visit www.discoveritalian.com for menus.

NEW ARRIVALS TASTINGS: 4-6 p.m. the last Saturday of each month at The Wine Guy, 555 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, to sample a dozen wines new to the market. $10. Call 254-6500.

STOVETROTTERS BISTRO: Offers various cooking demos and technique classes throughout the months. Also, a “Chef's Table” special dinner every Wednesday. Activity prices vary. Complete schedule at www.stovetrotters.com. Call 277-0684. The bistro is at 4 Sweeten Creek Road in Asheville.

WILLIAMS SONOMA: Regularly scheduled free demonstrations led by culinary experts focus on seasonal foods and entertaining. Reservations not required. Call 277-3707 for dates and times. 10 Brook St., Asheville. Thursday: Gifts for Mom. Saturday: Breakfast for Mom. Tuesday: New flavors for summer. May 14: Summer drinks. May 15: Simple suppers. May 16: Grilling. May 17: Summer on the grill. May 19: Frozen drinks. May 21: Margaritas. May 22: Grilled chicken. May 23: Grilling. May 26: Summer cocktails. May 28: Smoothies. May 29: Grilled veggies. May 30: Summer tools. May 31: Summer drinks.

WINE APPRECIATION CLASSES: Keith Dalbec of Blue Water Seafood, 532 Kanuga St., Hendersonville, teaches a series of classes, including key components of varietals and proper taste techniques, 6-8 p.m. Mondays. Total cost is $100 and includes light appetizers, handouts and wine samples. Deposit of $50 required to hold seat. Register at 697-0503.

YOUNG CHEF'S ACADEMY: Offering weekly classes for ages 7 and older, with Kindercook classes for ages 4-6, as well as birthday parties, scout troop and school field trips, and special event classes. 336 Rockwood Road, Suite 104, Arden. Call 651-CHEF.