Here is a list of upcoming cooking classes, food events and tours in the Triangle:
Cook Once, Eat 3 times!
Marilyn Markel, cooking school manager, is skilled at getting dinner on the table as quickly as possible. She's learned that planning can save a lot of time on busy weeknights. Join Marilyn for great ideas on how to quickly produce a satisfying meal. 5:30 p.m. Wednesdat. $30. A Southern Season, 201 S. Estes Dr., Chapel Hill. 929-7133. http://bit.ly/AdbYWi
Hungry for Change - a food justice discussion group
Come explore the true meaning of the phrase "You are what you eat." Hungry for Change is a six-week small group discussion course sponsored by Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship & South Durham Green Neighbors that challenges participants to examine their roles, not only as consumers of food, but also as creators of food, of systems, and of the world we all live in. 7 p.m. Wednesdays until Feb. 15. $22 (for workshop reading book). Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 4907 Garrett Rd., Durham. 489-2575. http://www.sdgn.net/?page_id=6.
Southern Cooking, High and Low: A Short History of the Cuisine of the South
Meredith College Master of Science in Nutrition presents: A Lecture with Road Scholar John Beck, PhD on "Southern Cooking, High and Low: A Short History of the Cuisine of the South" A fascinating history of Southern cuisine blending culinary traditions and ingredients of Native Americans, immigrants from the British Isles and those from West & Central Africa. 6 p.m. Thursday. Free. Meredith College Kresge Auditorium, 3800 Hillsborough St., Raleigh. 760-8735. http://nutritionmc.wordpress.com/nutrition-events-meredith-college/.
Cheese: A Tutorial
If you are interested in exploring cheese beyond just its taste, this is the class for you! Alexander Kast, cheese buyer at A Southern Season, will discuss pasteurization, how it affects cheese and its flavor and the myth that pasteurized cheeses are inferior to unpasteurized varieties. 7 p.m. Thursday. $25. A Southern Season, 201 S. Estes Dr., Chapel Hill. 929-7133. http://bit.ly/xUb7IF
Elegant Entrees
Chef Chip Smith is returning to the Triangle and promises to take this class on another culinary adventure, this time focusing on savory entrées. Simple, yet ingenious, his recipes delight audiences. 5 p.m. Saturday. $40. A Southern Season, 201 S. Estes Dr., Chapel Hill. 929-7133. http://bit.ly/x74X2c
Sweets!
Chef Chip Smith's talent for cooking is equaled by his talent for baking -- a rare combination to have a flair for both! Join Chip and learn some excellent desserts for your own repertoire.Menu: Pot de Crème, Bakewell Tart, Tropical Fruit Grog. 6 p.m. Sunday . $35. A Southern Season, 201 S. Estes Dr., Chapel Hill. 929-7133. http://bit.ly/yDZNhk
Argentine Wine Dinner
High quality wine, education and dinner provided. 7 p.m. Monday . $45 per person. Vinos Finos Y Picadas, 8450 Honeycutt Rd., Raleigh. 747-9233. www.vinosfinosypicadas.com.
Kids in the Kitchen: Let's Roll
Who says food can''t be fun? We'll take traditional dishes and rock-and-roll them to make some entertaining, delicious and innovative rolled foods. Ages 9-12. Menu: Palmiers, Biscuit and Sausage Rolls, Party Pinwheels, Milk Chocolate Truffles rolled in Three Toppings 4 p.m. Feb. 1. $35 . A Southern Season, 201 S. Estes Dr., Chapel Hill. 929-7133. http://bit.ly/xENnFz
Learn at Lunch: Hearty Winter Meal
Winter is a great time for preparing slow-cooked meats that melt in your mouth and provide the base for quick weeknight meals. Join her for this hearty but elegant meal.Menu: Spinach Salad with Warm Ginger Vinaigrette, Beef Daube with Buttered Noodles, Hazelnut, Caramel, and Chocolate Tartlets. Noon. Feb. 2. $25. A Southern Season, 201 S. Estes Dr., Chapel Hill. 929-7133. http://bit.ly/ycdFAX
Triangle Wine Experience
The 19th annual Triangle Wine Experience is a world-class, weekend-long charity event featuring iconic wines, sublime foods, like-minded wine fanatics and three spirited auctions, both live and silent. 7 p.m. Feb. 2-4. $125-$150. Frankie Lemmon Foundation, 2301 Stonehenge Dr., Raleigh. 845-8880. www.trianglewineexperience.org.
Couples Cooking Healthy
When she is not teaching, Breana Lai is busy with her catering company, Cork & Spoon. A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu in London, Breana also studies nutrition and teaches at UNC in Chapel Hill. 5 p.m. Feb. 4. $35. A Southern Season, 201 S. Estes Dr., Chapel Hill. 929-7133. http://bit.ly/Am6qC2
Food Tours
Taste Carolina: Chapel Hill/Carrboro
Go behind the scenes of Chapel Hill and Carrboro restaurants to experience where farm-to-table cuisine comes to life. Sample innovative and upscale Southern dishes, house-made chocolates, local cheese, made from scratch pie, organic wine, local beer, and more. 11 a.m. Saturdays. $41 (plus service fee). Open Eye Cafe, 101 S. Greensboro St., Carrboro. 237-2254. www.tastecarolina.net.
Taste Carolina: Durham
Home to Duke University, the Durham Performing Arts Center, renovated tobacco warehouses and the Durham Bulls, this town is about cutting edge culture and fantastic food. Let us show you a vibrant city in the midst of its revitalization and introduce you to the restaurants, shops and people that are making Durham one of the nation's cultural hotspots. 1:30 p.m. Saturdays. $41 (plus service fee). Pinhook, 117 W. Main St., Durham. 237-2254. www.tastecarolina.net
Taste Carolina: Raleigh
Raleigh is home to some of the most dynamic restaurants in the country. Known for effortlessly blending modern architecture with historic buildings and monuments, Raleigh showcases fine dining and eclectic eateries.1:30 p.m. Saturdays . $41 (plus service fee). Raleigh City Museum, 220 Fayetteville St., Raleigh. 237-2254. www.tastecarolina.com.
Triangle Food Tour: Chapel Hill and Carrboro
On this leisurely walk through the downtown streets of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, we'll be pausing numerous times for sample tastings and personal insights from a cross-section of this area's finest and most unique establishments. 2:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25Mar. 3, Mar. 10Mar. 17, Mar. 24, Mar. 31. $37.50. The Franklin Hotel, 311 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill. 319-5674. www.trianglefoodtour.com.
Triangle Food Tour: Downtown Raleigh
Experience a guided culinary journey of sight and taste that spans all five downtown districts to sample a cross-section of some of Raleigh's unique local restaurant venues, blended together with some forgotten historical tidbits that leaves you full of new insights on the downtown culinary landscape. 2:30 p.m. Saturday Feb. 25, Mar. 3, Mar. 10, Mar. 17, Mar. 24, Mar. 31. $37.50. Jibarra, 327 W. Davie St., Raleigh. 319-5674. www.trianglefoodtour.com.
Taste Carolina: Hillsborough
Historic Hillsborough boasts Southern charm, 18th and 19th century architecture, and a vibrant literary and artistic scene. It is also home to fantastic restaurants with a true farm-to-table vibe. 11 a.m. Saturdays.. $41(plus service fee). Saratoga Grill, 108 S. Churton St., Hillsborough. 237-2254. www.tastecarolina.net.
Raleigh Pub Crawl & Haunted Adventure Tour
The Raleigh Pub Crawl & Haunted Adventure Tour is designed for all types of guests seeking a unique and different downtown Raleigh experience. This is a walking tour covering approximately 1 mile. 7:30 p.m. Saturdays. $19. Mecca Restaurant, 13 E. Martin St., Raleigh. 371-2653. www.tobaccoroadtours.com.
