Here is a list of upcoming cooking classes, food tours and more across the Triangle:
Hungry for Change -- a food justice discussion group
Six-week small group discussion course sponsored by Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and South Durham Green Neighbors. 7 p.m. Wednesdays until Feb. 15. $22 (for workshop reading book). Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 4907 Garrett Road, Durham. 489-2575. www.sdgn.net.
Free Fair Trade Chocolate Tasting
Taste 40 different chocolate bars and be inspired by delicious chocolate confections. Fair trade chocolate is produced without child labor and ensures fair pay for farmers. 10 a.m. Saturday. Free. One World Market, 811 Ninth St., Durham. 286-2457. www.oneworldmarket.info.
A Little Southern, A Little Italian
With Sheri Castle, author of "The New Southern Garden Cookbook: Enjoying the Best from Homegrown Gardens, Farmers Markets, Roadside Stands, and CSA Farm Boxes." 1 p.m. Saturday. $40. A Southern Season, 201 S. Estes Drive, Chapel Hill. 929-7133. http://bit.ly/yXnu8l
Valentine's Dinner & Dance
Valentine's dinner plus live music and dancing. 6 p.m. Saturday. $35 per person. $60 per couple. Adams Vineyards & Winery, 3390 John Adams Rd., Willow Spring. 567-1010. http://adamsvineyards.com.
All About Love Valentine's Social
Dinner, music, roses. 8 p.m. Saturday. $35 per couple. APOD, 309 Technical Court, Garner. 696-9250. www.aplaceofdeliverance.com.
Chocolate Cake and Cheesecake Bake Off
For more than 20 years the Council on Aging has been challenging Chatham County bakers to pull out all the stops for the annual Chocolate Cake Bake Off. This year we invite you to sample the winning desserts with milk and coffee and perhaps take home one in the decadent auction to follow. 3 p.m. Sunday. $5 for adults, $3 for children. Council On Aging - Eastern Chatham Senior Center, 365 N.C. 87 North, Pittsboro. 542-4512. www.chathamcouncilonaging.org/Events.
Cocktails and Chocolate
Special Valentine's cocktails and chocolate truffle in Revolution's bar. Reservation required. 5 p.m. Monday. $45. Revolution, 107 W. Main St., Durham. 956-9999. www.revolutionrestaurant.com.
Mantra Valentine's Day Dinner for Two
Chef Gamer Rawat has created a special four-course dinner menu for two, which includes choice of several delicious appetizers, salads, choice of entrees, and a dessert with two glasses of champagne. 4 p.m. Tuesday. $50-$75 for two person. Mantra Indian Cuisine & Bar, 116 N. West St., Raleigh. 833-2823. www.mantraraleigh.com.
Valentine's Day Tour
Dinner, cocktails, dessert, chocolate boxes. This walking tour makes five stops. Note: Tour runs rain or shine. Please dress appropriately for the weather. 5 p.m. Tuesday. $62.50. Raleigh City Museum, 220 Fayetteville St., Raleigh. 237-2254. www.tastecarolina.net.
Valentine's Day Dinner
The four-course dinner included appetizer, salad, choice of entree and dessert. 6 p.m. Tuesday. $25. per person. Upper Crust Bakery, 8450 Honeycutt Road, Raleigh. 900-8360.
Alexander Calder & Contemporary Art
CLASS pairs with the Nasher Museum of Art for a luncheon and a look at this new exhibit. Noon. Feb. 17. $30. A Southern Season, 201 S. Estes Drive, Chapel Hill. 929-7133. http://bit.ly/zA7iGM
Umami: Explore the Flavor
Since the 1980s, umami has been accepted as the fifth basic taste, in addition to salty, sweet, bitter and sour. 2 p.m. Feb. 19. $35. A Southern Season, 201 S. Estes Drive, Chapel Hill. 929-7133. http://bit.ly/xvisWR
Duck Rabbit beer tasting
On the third Tuesday of the month join Sip and your fellow beer buddies to sample, discuss, learn and enjoy our featured brewery, Duck-Rabbit Brewery. 6 p.m. Feb. 21. $5. SIP...A WINE STORE, 1055 Darrington Drive, Cary. 467-7880. www.sipawinestore.com.
Irregardless Cooking Class
Experience the Irregardless philosophy, learn cooking techniques and be nourished in many ways. The class begins with a wine tasting in the bar. All of Irregardless' wines by the glass are offered, to be enjoyed throughout the evening. 6 p.m. Feb. 21, 6 p.m. March 13. $60 per person. Irregardless Cafe, 901 W. Morgan St., Raleigh. 833-8898 ext 0 connect@irregardless.com. www.irregardless.com.
Fabulous Winter Dinner
Chef Carol Colburn will demonstrate how to make a wonderful winter dinner. She will be making maple pecan salad, braised short ribs over roasted root vegetables and a dessert. 6:30 p.m. Feb. 21. $25. Upper Crust Bakery, 8450 Honeycutt Road, Raleigh. 247-1048.
Food Tours
Taste Carolina: Chapel Hill/Carrboro
11 a.m. Saturdays. $41 (plus service fee). Open Eye Cafe, 101 S. Greensboro St., Carrboro. 237-2254. www.tastecarolina.net.
Taste Carolina: Hillsborough
11 a.m. Saturdays. $41(plus service fee). Saratoga Grill, 108 S. Churton St., Hillsborough. 237-2254. www.tastecarolina.net.
Taste Carolina: Durham
1:30 p.m. Saturdays. $41 (plus service fee). Pinhook, 117 W. Main St., Durham. 237-2254. www.tastecarolina.net
Taste Carolina: Raleigh
1:30 p.m. Saturdays . $41 (plus service fee). Raleigh City Museum, 220 Fayetteville St., Raleigh. 237-2254. www.tastecarolina.com.
Triangle Food Tour: Cary
1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 17, April 14, May. 12, June 16, July 14, Aug. 11. $37.50. Page Walker Hotel Garden Stage, 119 Ambassador Loop, Cary. 319-5674. www.trianglefoodtour.com.
Raleigh Pub Crawl & Haunted Adventure Tour
7:30 p.m. Saturdays. $19. Mecca Restaurant, 13 E. Martin St., Raleigh. 371-2653. www.tobaccoroadtours.com.
Triangle Food Tour: Chapel Hill and Carrboro
2:15 p.m. Feb. 25. $37.50. The Franklin Hotel, 311 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill. 319-5674. www.trianglefoodtour.com.
Triangle Food Tour: Raleigh
2:30 p.m. Feb. 25. $37.50. Jibarra, 327 W. Davie St., Raleigh. 319-5674. www.trianglefoodtour.com.
If you'd rather just sit down for a nice meal somewhere, here's my list of Triangle restaurants, their menus and more.
