Culinary Series at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts:Next Friday, January 17, the Bellwether Farms Culinary Series welcomes Robert Irvine, television personality and host of "Dinner: Impossible" and "Restaurant Express."
Irvine's appearance is more than just a conversation; it is a multi-media multi-sensory theatrical experience, with music, video, cooking and more, with multiple cameras in plays throughout the evening.
If high octane food-as-entertainment is what makes you salivate, you won't want to miss this.
Tickets are $40 and $55 and are available at the center's box office and on line at wellsfargocenterarts.org. The center is located at 50 Mark West Springs Rd. in Santa Rosa.
The extravaganza starts at 8 p.m.
Beer lovers, this is for you: Here's a little secret if you can't face the enormous crowds expected at the 2014 Bay Area Brew Fest taking place this Saturday at Fort Mason in San Francisco.
Rincon Valley Wine and Craft Beer (4927 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa) is hosting a tasting of 101 North Brewing on Saturday from 2 to 8 p.m. featuring the new Naughty Auld Imperial Stout and the Heroine IPA. John Lilienthal of the brewery will be on hand to chat and hand out a few special prizes. Rumor has it that the brewmaster, local guy Joel Johnson, may show up, too.
Cost is $15 and all you need to do is stop by.
"Great chieftain of the sausage race!" Shake out your kilt, dust off your bagpipes and make your reservations for a Burns Night Supper.
This year for the first time, Jack and Tony's Restaurant and Whisky Bar hosts a celebration of John Burns, the Scottish poet, on Tuesday, January 28. Among Burns's most famous works are "Auld Lang Syne" and "Ode to a Haggis."
The evening features a four-course meal, with Scotch whiskies, of course. And, yes, it will include haggis, introduced by a parade of bagpipes. The lusty celebration also includes a Scottish sword dance, performed by James Carr, who entertains at Scottish games, Celtic fairs and the recent Dickens Faire in San Francisco.
Cost is $50 per person, plus tax and gratuity and a single seating at 7 p.m. Although there is no discount for wearing plaid, it is strongly encouraged.
For reservations, call 526-4347.
On Wednesday, January 29, Hurley's Restaurant (6518 Washington St., Yountville) hots its annual celebration of the bard, with passed appetizers at 6 p.m. and a single seating at 7 p.m.
Haggis begins the dinner portion of the evening and will be followed by soup and a main course. Last year's fete featured chicken and leek soup following by a choice of beef rib roasted or roasted salmon. Dessert is always a Scottish specialty.
Cost is $70 per person, which includes tax, tip and the featured Scotch of the evening.
This dinner always sells out well in advance so if you want to join in make your reservations pronto by calling 944-2345.
For more information about Robert Burns, including the full text of "Ode to a Haggis" and a guide for hosting your own Burns Supper, visit robertburns.org.
What's Your Winning App? Robert Rue Winery (1406 Wood Rd., Fulton) wants to know and they're talking about little nibbles, not new toys for your smart phone. This Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m., the winery hosts its First Annual Customer Appetizer Showcase and Contest.
Here's how it works. Show up with a hot or cold appetizer, fully prepared and ready to enjoy anytime after 4 p.m. Judging begins at 6:30 p.m.
There will be a winner and a runner up in both categories. Winners get a bottle of any Robert Rue wine currently available. Runners up get a jar of Chocolate Zinfandel Fudge Sauce.
There is no kitchen space available but the winery can provide power for crock pots, hot plates and such.
Feel free to bring along fans; everyone will be able to vote for their favorite in both categories.
Come Home to Cooking 2014: Come Home to Cooking, chef Kay Baumhefner's sweet little cooking school in Petaluma, has released this year's Winter-Spring Schedule.
Things get started on February 5, with a short class about two essentials, chicken stock and mirepoix.
Other seasonal highlights include Cooking for One or Even Just Two, Refreshing Your Kitchen and Pantry, Spring Lamb and Baby Vegetables, Seasoning with a Sixth Sense and Hearty Spring Salads.
Full classes take place on either Wednesdays or Saturdays, with a review session a couple of weeks later.
Short classes are typically $75 per person; full classes are $95 per person, which includes the review session.
For a full description of each class and a detailed description of how classes work, visit comehometocooking.com.
If you're not familiar with Chef Baumhefner, you're in for a real treat. She is an extraordinary chef, with a sensibility that is both delicate and robust. She is a true Sonoma County treasure, as is her husband winemaker Don Baumhefner.
Monday Night at Farmhouse Restaurant: Monday night prix fixe dinners at Forestville's Farmhouse Inn (7871 River Rd.) are so popular that they are back again this year.
Every Monday night from December through March, executive chef Steve Litke and his sous chef Neil Corsten put together a three-course dinner for $49. Menus are typically not available in advance, as they are based on what is available locally that day.
These dinners offer a great opportunity for locals to discover one of the country's finest restaurants, right here in the Russian River Valley. If you've never been, Ms. Mouthful says check it out. You won't be sorry.
For Monday night reservations, you must call 887-3300.
When Pigs Fly: Rob Larman's Cochon Volant takes off next Friday, January 17, with the first dinner of the year at the Valley Wine Shack (553 West Napa St., Sonoma.
The menu features Chef Rob's signature Cioppino with crab, fish and shellfish served over creamy polenta. A salad of Lacinato kale, citrus and roasted beets kicks things off and Hooker's House Bourbon bread pudding with dried cherries, candied pecans and Bourbon Creme Anglaise wraps things up.
These monthly dinners tend to sell out quickly so don't wait to make a reservation at 938-7218.
Once Upon a Wetland: This Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m., the Laguna Environmental Center (900 Sanford Rd., Santa Rosa) hosts an opening reception for "Once Upon a Wetland," an exhibit of Ane Carla Rovetta's pastel paintings.
Rovetta is a local field biologist, storyteller, teacher and science illustrator, with a background in zoology.
The reception is free, refreshments will be served and reservations are not necessary.
Earlier in the day, from noon to 2 p.m., Rovetta will offer a tule duck weaving demonstration, also free.
For more information about these and other upcoming events and activities, visit lagunafoundation.org.
Michele Anna Jordan hosts "Mouthful" each Sunday at 7 p.m. on KRCB 90.9 -amp; 91.1 FM. E-mail Jordan at michele@micheleannajordan.com. You'll find her blog, "Eat This Now," at pantry.blogs.pressdemocrat.com.
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