Food and Wine Calendar

Food & Wine Events

Green Rheem Film Night: Wine, Appetizers and a Green Film ！ 6 p.m. wine tasting and appetizers, 7 p.m. movie Jan. 14. Featuring the documentary "Fresh." This documentary celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are reinventing our food system. It's an inspiring film that shows what's possible by profiling heroes all over the country who are changing the way we eat. 350 Park St., Moraga. $5-$17. 925-988-3411.

Taste of Italy Wine Dinner: 6 p.m. Jan. 20. Four-course authentic Italian dinner paired with four Italian wines; $55 plus tax and gratuity. Il Fornaio, 1430 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Walnut Creek; 925-296-0100.

Venetian Aperitivo Fest: 5-7 p.m. Jan. 18. Taste the foods of Veneto, including artisan cheeses, mostarde, pasta and prosecco from the towns of Treviso, Verona and Belluno. A.G. Ferrari Foods SOMA, 688 Mission St., San Francisco. www.agferrari.com/

Cheese American-Style ！ 5-7 p.m. Jan. 15. Celebrating California and Vermont Artisan Cheesemakers with local cheesemakers and Allison Hooper of Vermont Creamery, author of "In A Cheesemaker's Kitchen." Discussions, book signing, and tastings with the cheesemakers. Pasta Shop, 1786 Fourth St., Berkeley. 510-250-6004.

Cookbook Signing ！ 3-4 p.m. Jan. 16. Rima Barkett and Claudia Pruett, the authors of "Cooking Dinner: Simple Italian Family Recipes

Everyone Can Make," discuss their cookbook at Omnivore Books on Food, 3885A Cesar Chavez St., San Francisco; 415-282-4712; www.omnivorebooks.com. Free.

2nd annual Truffle Camp ！ Jan. 17-19. Ken Frank, executive chef and owner of La Toque restaurant at The Westin Verasa, Napa, is hosting a dream come true for truffle lovers ！ three days of complete immersion in everything there is to know about this culinary delicacy. Students will have the rare opportunity to cook in the La Toque kitchen with Chef Ken Frank, whose restaurant is one of only 12 in the world to feature a truffle menu. Truffle Camp includes five phenomenal meals, hands-on cooking classes with Chef Frank, a farm tour, exclusive winery tour and barrel tasting, wine pairings, and three nights of luxurious lodging at the Westin Verasa. Each guest will also be sent home with a truffle "goody bag" so they may continue to use the techniques learned. 1314 McKinstry St., Napa. $1,800-$3,000. 707-257-5157, www.latoque.com or www.westinnapa.com.

2010 Crab and Wine Festival ！ Jan. 22-31. The premier festival of Mendocino County have put together a very high-profile panel of judges, with editors from O, The Oprah Magazine, Coastal Living, and Better Homes & Gardens deciding on this year's winners of the Crab Cake Cook-Off and Wine Tasting Competition. Also, there's lodging specials, winemaker dinners, crab feeds and more. For a full listing of festival events: gomendo.com/media/ 3629MCrab%20and%20Wine%20Days.pdf.

Dark & Delicious ！ 6-9 p.m. Feb. 19. Forty petite sirah wine companies and about 30 Napa Bay Area restaurants and food caterers add up to a stellar food and wine event. Presented by PS I Love You. Rock Wall Wine Company, 2301 Monarch St., Alameda. $60 before Jan. 31; $70 after. 707-620-0788.

A Conversation with Paula Wolfert ！ 3-4 p.m. Jan. 23. Paula Wolfert, author of "Mediterranean Clay Pot Cooking," discusses Mediterranean cooking and cultural traditions with Patricia Unterman, owner of the Hayes Street Grill and author of "San Francisco Food Lover's Guide." Free. Limited seating. Omnivore Books on Food, 3885A Cesar Chavez St., San Francisco; 415-282-4712; www.omnivorebooks.com.

11th annual Whiskeys of the World ！ 6-10 p.m. March 27. The Expo will be host to hundreds of whiskey expressions. From the most well known brands to small independent bottlers, the Expo brings together distillers from all over the world in a celebration of distilled spirits. Educational seminars are provided so that consumers cannot only sample the whiskeys but also learn about their history and how they are made. The attendees will not only enjoy the most incredible spirits from all over the world, but also a total sensory experience including gourmet food and live music. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St., San Francisco. $110-$120. 408-225-0446, www.WhiskiesOfTheWorld.com.

JC Cellars Wine Wednesday ！ The first Wednesday of the month, sample wine and cheese in a casual and fun atmosphere. 55 Fourth St., Oakland. Reservations: 510-465-5900, www.jccellars.com.

Anthony Bourdain: 8 p.m. Jan. 13. Anthony Bourdain, cookbook author, celebrity chef and bad boy of the culinary world, comes to Santa Rosa for an evening of conversation. This event, "No Reservations: An Evening with Anthony Bourdain," is sponsored by Copperfield Books at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. Tickets $35-$49; http://wellsfargocenterarts.org.

Wineland in Paradise ！ 7-10 p.m. Jan. 16. Eight winemakers and grape growers from the Russian River Valley. An educational reception precedes dinner with winemaker guests at every table. Cocktail attire. $150 per person, $285 per couple. Paradise Ridge Winery, 4545 Thomas Lake Harris Road, Santa Rosa; 707-521-2534.

"Souper Bowl" ！ Noon-5 p.m. Jan. 23-24. Sample soups and breads, taste the award winning wines of Fenestra, and enjoy an afternoon in the historic winery building. The $10 event charge includes a logo wineglass and plate. Event charge for children ages 5-12 is $5, ages 13-20 is $10 (includes plate and nonalcoholic beverage). There is no charge for children younger than 5. 83 Vallecitos Road, Livermore. 925-447-5246.

Bloomfield Vineyards Barrel Tasting ！ noon-4 p.m. Jan. 24. Try Bloomfield's current flight of wines and enjoy food from 615 Restaurant and at least four upcoming wine varietals. 633 1st Street, Brentwood. $10. 925-634-9463.

Brunch, Lunch, Dinners

Dine about Town San Francisco 2010 ！ Through Jan. 31. Two course prix-fixe lunch $17. 95; 3 course prix-fixe dinner $34.95. Parc 55 Hotel, 55 Cyril Magnin St., San Francisco. 415-392-8000.

New Zealand Wine Adventure Dinner ！ 6:30 p.m. Jan. 17. Enjoy the wines and cuisine of New Zealand. Haute Stuff, 521 Main St., Martinez. $75. 925-229-0521, www.hautestuffbistro.com.

PF Chang's China Bistro Happy Hour ！ 3-6 p.m. daily. $3-$6 appetizers and drink specials. www.pfchangs.com.

Thursday Nights at the Table ！ 7 p.m. Thursdays. Inspired by the Wente family's love of family-style dining, guests at the restaurant can enjoy a shared three-course dining experience created by executive chef Arthur Wall. Guests will dine at communal tables, with a weekly changing preset menu served by Wall and wait staff. Once dishes arrive at the table, guests will dine family style. $39 with wine, $29 without. 5050 Arroyo Road, Livermore. Reservations: 925-456-2450.

Ozumo Oakland introduces a Flight Night Prix Fixe Dinner Menu ！ 5-10 p.m. Saturdays. Menu changes weekly. Ozumo serves contemporary Japanese cuisine, bringing together under one roof a sushi bar, sake lounge and robata grill. $39. Broadway at Grand Avenue, Oakland; 510-286-9866.

Urban Tavern Pre-Theatre Dining Package ！ Urban Tavern in downtown San Francisco has partnered with Shorenstein Hays Nederlander (the Shorenstein Theatre Group) to offer a preshow dinner package available daily. Priced at $34.95, the package includes a three-course prix fixe meal, a glass of wine and five hours of complimentary parking. For an additional $15 per person, guests will be transported, via town car or limo, to and from the theater. The package is valid with proof of a theater ticket for a Shorenstein Hays Nederlander performance and guests should mention this package when booking their reservation. 333 O'Farrell St.; San Francisco; 415-923-4400.

Monday Night Supper at Digs Bistro ！ 5:30 p.m. second, third and fourth Mondays of every month. Three-course prix fixe menu will change Mondays. House red and white wines are $5.50 a glass. In addition to the $25 prix fixe, the restaurant also serves its regular a la carte menu. 1453 Dwight Way, Berkeley; 510-548-2322.

Classes

Crepes Class ！ 1 p.m. Jan. 23. Roseabelle Malmgren teaches a hands-on class on the art of crepes, from classic Nutella and strawberry to a beggar's purse with pesto chicken and a ham and cheese gateaux. $70. Draeger's at Blackhawk Plaza. Visit www.draegerscookingschool.com.

Chinese New Year's Banquet ！ 6:30 p.m. Jan. 28. This hands-on cooking class features Joyce Jue teaching the ins and outs of a full-scale Chinese New Year Banquet, including recipes for Tea-Smoked Quail with Fragrant Spices, Buddha's Vegetarian Feast and Steamed Bass with Ginger-Scallion Sauce. $80. Draeger's at Blackhawk Plaza. Visit www.draegerscookingschool.com.

Kids Cook in Southern France with Chef from Chez Panisse ！ April 3-11. This culinary adventure is open to all parents and their aspiring chefs ages 10-14. Chef Jed Cote, from Berkeley's Chez Panisse and Oakland's Pizzaiolo, will lead this magical spring break to Parisian restaurateur Cyril Guignard's country estate and historic château, where you and your child will enjoy eight days of personalized cooking classes, authentic French cuisine and provincial living. http://sproutscookingclub.org.

Cooking and Grape Harvest Tour in a Castle in Puglia, Italy ！ June 12-19 and Oct. 2-9.¿ Attend hands-on and small group cooking classes, taste amazing wines and extra virgin olive oils. Learn about the Mediterranean cuisine of Puglia. Come stay in a beautiful 17th-century castle with a swimming pool. For more information: info.stile@gmail.com and info@stilemediter raneo.it.

Pleasant Hill Wine Merchants ！ Instructor Monica Chappell offers a series of classes: Sensory Analysis, Food and Wine Pairing, Wine and Cheese Pairing, Italy Uncorked and Celebrating Chardonnay. Small class sizes. 2685 Pleasant Hill Road, Suite D, Pleasant Hill; 925-939-9463; www.pleasanthillwinemerchants.com.

Pans on Fire ！ Learn new recipes and cooking techniques while you prepare a three- or four-course meal and then sit down to enjoy it. Bring your friends. www.pansonfire.com.

ITK Culinary ！ Classes include: Vegetarian Indian with Mona Shah, Wellness Cooking, Singles Nite, Resolving Sugar Cravings and Japanese Flavors. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Mondays, led by chef Richard Chapman. 300 Turney, Sausalito. Prices vary. 415-331-8766. www.itkculinary.com.

Ramekins Cooking Classes ！ 450 W. Spain St., Sonoma. For a list of classes, visit www.ramekins.com. 707-933-0450.

Contests

Birthday Party Bash ！ Deadline Jan. 30. Share your best birthday cake recipe and photo (optional) with Duncan Hines to earn your chance to win a Duncan Hines 2K Play Birthday Party Bash Grand Prize. Prize: The Grand Prize includes a Wii system, copy of Birthday Party Bash, 4 Confetti Cake Mixes, 4 tubs of Vanilla Frosting and a $250 check for party decorations. Everything you need to host the ultimate birthday party! All contest participants will be entered into a sweepstakes for the chance to win 1 of 100 Birthday Party Bash video games for Wii. www.duncanhines.com.

"Be on the Field 2010 Instant Win Game" ！ Feb. 7 deadline. To participate fans are encouraged to get Mars real chocolate products for their upcoming playoff and Super Bowl parties. In addition to the grand prize trip to Super Bowl XLV in North Texas, participants have a chance to win thousands of other prizes including VISA Gift Cards and packages of Mars real chocolate products. They can then register select UPC codes at www.BeOnTheField.com.

"Where in the World is Mrs.

Butterworth?" ！ Feb. 28 deadline. Mrs. Butterworth's syrup lovers across the United States are invited to submit a photo showing where in the world they are with Mrs. Butterworth. Entries can depict you with your favorite syrup bottle anywhere in the world. Six winners. One grand prize winner will receive $1,000 cash prize and five finalists will each receive one $250 American Express gift card. All winners will also receive a year's supply (one case per person) of Mrs. Butterworth's syrup. Web site: www.mrsbutterworthsyrup.com/whereismrsbutterworth/

A Taste of Summer All Winter Long Recipe Contest ！ Feb. 28 deadline. A total of $6,000 in cash prizes will be awarded. There are two divisions ！ home cooks and professionals. The categories for entries in each division are: starters and salsas; salads; sweets, and best photo. www.FloridaWinterStrawberryContest.com.

"Now That's A Bagel That ..." ！ March 31 deadline. Lender's Bagels invites anyone ages 18 and up to enter by submitting a sentence that completes that phrase, along with a photo that illustrates what the iconic brand brings to your family's life. This year's grand-prize winner will receive $1,000 and a year's supply of Lender's Bagels. All entrants will receive one free package of Lender's Bagels. www.lendersbagels.com.

"Pillsbury Easy Frost No-Fuss Frosting Challenge" ！ Feb. 5 deadline. The makers of Pillsbury baking products call on all dessert lovers to unlock frosting fun, think creatively and transform their favorite homemade baked good into a chance to win $10,000 and a year's worth of Pillsbury Easy Frost No-Fuss Frosting. Consumers are asked to use Pillsbury Easy Frost No-Fuss Frosting to decorate a homemade baked good of their choice and submit an original photo of the wholly edible creation online. Must be 18 or older. Submissions can be entered online. The winning photo will be posted in March. www.pillsburybaking.com.

Stirring Up Health recipe contest ！ March 13 deadline. Middle school students from across the country are challenged to develop or modify an existing recipe to make it healthier using Del Monte brand fruits, vegetables or tomatoes as a primary ingredient. Incorporating healthy baking as part of their creation is encouraged. Entry forms and contest rules can be obtained at www.healthykidschallenge.org.

"Win a Wellness Weekend" ！ Ends March 31. Three winners and the guests of their choice will fly to Las Vegas to enjoy a relaxing wellness weekend getaway, highlighted by a meet-and-greet with tennis legend and Teekanne tea lover Steffi Graf. Winners and their guests will receive round trip airfare to Las Vegas and hotel lodging for two nights. While in Las Vegas, guests will be treated to a sumptuous breakfast. Additionally, winners will receive a $1,000 gift card to spend however they choose during the weekend, a year's supply of Teekanne Herbal Wellness Tea and a personalized, autographed photo of Graf. Winners will be randomly selected and notified on or about April 9. www.favoritetea.com.

To have your event listed, e-mail lherendeen@bayareanewsgroup.com.