Friday Food-Learn It, Don’t Burn It: NYC Food Classes for 11/20 to 11/28

via Serious Eats: New York by Allison Hemler on 11/19/08

From Serious Eats: New York

Every Wednesday we’ll be posting delicious educational opportunities in the New York for the approaching weekend and the following week. All classes listed still have openings, but if you hear otherwise, please let us know. We’re back with our listings after a two-week vacation. Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, there are considerably less classes held next week. Be sure to check back next Wednesday for classes after Thanksgiving to prepare you for the holidays.

‘Gluten Freedom: Reclaiming Our Daily Bread’ at the Natural Gourmet
Friday, November 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., $185 + $10 for materials
Rebecca Reilly leads a course on gluten-free breads, guaranteeing flavorful results and familiar textures. Not only will you make classic breads such as French baguettes, English muffins, bagels, pizza, and all-purpose sandwich bread, you’ll find out how to make them extra delicious with various spreads and cheeses.
Natural Gourmet Institute, 48 West 21st Street (at Sixth Avenue), 2nd Floor, Manhattan; 212.645.5170; naturalgourmetschool.com for info and registration

‘Classic Croissants’ at ICC
Saturday, November 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., $195
Learn how to build layers upon layers of dough to make flaky, buttery, and crispy croissants, the quintessential French pastry. I can already smell them coming out of the oven.
International Culinary Center, 462 Broadway (at Grand Street), Manhattan; 888-324-CHEF; internationalculinarycenter.com for info and registration

‘Michael Colameco Cooking 101: Chicken’ at ICC
Saturday, November 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., $395
Separate an entire chicken and prepare with simple techniques to create an elegant meal; Chef Colameco, a down-to-earth chef who’s been in the business for 35 years, will pair the meal with sides. Class includes a family style meal in the last hour.
International Culinary Center, 462 Broadway (at Grand Street), Manhattan; 888-324-CHEF; internationalculinarycenter.com for info and registration

‘Street Food From Japan’ at ICE
Saturday, November 22, 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., $105
If you’re from New York, you’re probably obsessed with (or at least aware of) street food. Find out how Japan does small savory snacks with Chef Mamie Nishide by cooking up Okonimiyaki (fried batter cake with savory toppings), Yakiudon (fried udon noodle), Onigiri (handmade rice balls), and more.
The Institute of Culinary Education, 50 West 23rd Street (at Sixth Avenue), Manhattan; 800.522.4610; web.iceculinary.com for more info, call   212.847.0770 to register

‘The United States of America’ at Hearth
Monday, November 24, 7 p.m., $145
Along with Wine Director Paul Grieco, explore wine within our 50 states, including regions you might be unfamiliar with: Michigan, Colorado, New Mexico, and Virginia. Cost is all-inclusive with dinner.
Hearth, 403 East 12th Street (at First Avenue), Manhattan; 646.602.1300; restauranthearth.com for more info, call or email pgrieco@restauranthearth.com to register

‘Make-Ahead Holiday Cakes’ at ICE
Wednesday, November 26, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., $95
Since you probably don’t have time to make a variety of cakes for Thanksgiving, take this class and learn how to make cakes you can freeze and forget until the day of the feast. You’ll be making hazelnut brown butter cake, lemon buttermilk pound cake, chocolate almond pound cake with shiny chocolate glaze, and swiss truffle cake.
The Institute of Culinary Education, 50 West 23rd Street (at Sixth Avenue), Manhattan;  800.522.4610; web.iceculinary.com for more info and registration

Free Lectures, Tastings, and Demos

‘Casserole and Beer Tasting’ at Brooklyn Kitchen
Thursday, November 20, 6:30 p.m., free
Emily Farris will demo casseroles from her book Hot Stuff for your Oven. Spuyten Duyvil Grocery will provide samples of pumpkin beer.
Brooklyn Kitchen, 616 Lorimer Street (at Skillman Avenue), Brooklyn; 718.389.2982; thebrooklynkitchen.com

‘Cooked Books’ at the New York Public Library
Friday, November 21, 3:15 p.m., free
Join librarian and blogger Rebecca Federman in discovering culinary resources at the NYPL, in the city, and on the web. She’ll be sure to reference the Culinary History Research Guide. See you there!
Humanities and Social Sciences Library, Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, Manhattan;  917.275.6975; nypl.org for info

‘Turkey Deboning’ at Brooklyn Kitchen
Sunday, November 23, 5 p.m., free
Not sure how to debone a turkey (to make it suitable for your own homemade stuffing)? Watch BK’s own Harry C. Rosenblum do the deed, and taste some of the delicious bird.
Brooklyn Kitchen, 616 Lorimer Street (at Skillman Avenue), Brooklyn; 718.389.2982; thebrooklynkitchen.com

‘Small Budget, Big Flavor’ at Whole Foods Bowery
Tuesday, November 25, 7 to 7:45 p.m., free
Learn tips to cook on the cheap with available ingredients at Whole Foods. This demo and tasting will feature quick creamy crab bisque and portobello mushroom supper sandwiches.
Whole Foods Bowery, 95 East Houston Street (at Bowery), Manhattan; 212.420.1320; wholefoodsmarket.com for info

Friday Food-Eating Out on Thanksgiving: Go Beyond Turkey

via Grub Street on 11/19/08

If you’re eating out this Thanksgiving (and whose oven can fit a turkey?), there are plenty of places to go for a tryptophan fix. But what if you hate turkey or are vegetarian or want beef? Or what if you think the whole turkey, stuffing, mashed-potatoes combo is an annual bore? No worries, because this is New York and nothing here is like anywhere else; you can eat whatever you want on Thanksgiving, as long as you’re grateful for it. (It’s a little tougher to make leftover sandwiches the next day, but you can always get one at the deli.) We found several restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinners that encompassed everything from bacon-wrapped wild salmon to porcini and chestnut roulade. Your taste buds will thank you.

Allen & Delancey: Striped bass, Arctic char, dry-aged beef strip, and veal. Three courses, $68. 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.

Amy Ruth’s: Honey-glazed ham. Three courses, $27. 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Artisanal: Duck bourguignon, wild-mushroom risotto, scallops, and skate. Three courses, $65. 11 a.m. to midnight.

Asiate: Sea bass, short rib, and gnocchi. Five courses, $98 adults, $58 children. Noon to 8 p.m.

At Vermilion: Feijoada, a spicy pork and black-bean stew. Five courses, $60. 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Aureole: Entrées include venison, veal mignon, striped bass, and scallops. Three courses, $115 adults, $60 children. 2 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Aurora: Pork shoulder, lemon sole, and porcini risotto. Four courses, $65. Noon to 10 p.m.

BLT Market: Roasted prime rib and bacon-wrapped wild salmon. Three courses, $95. 1 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

BLT Prime: Dry-aged roasted prime rib and pan-seared Arctic char. Three courses, $68. 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

BLT Steak: Roasted prime rib and pan-seared wild salmon. Three courses, $68. 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Blue Fin: Halibut, crispy-skin salmon, wild striped bass, and grilled filet mignon. À la carte pricing. Noon to 10 p.m.

Braeburn: Rib eye, halibut, and wild-mushroom risotto. Three courses, $65. 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Café des Artistes: Herb-and-garlic-crusted roast beef, pomegranate-glazed ham, Maine lobster, and caramelized diver scallops. Three courses, $85. 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Counter: Porcini and chestnut roulade. Three courses for $45. Noon to 9 p.m.

Craft: Roast salmon and roast sirloin. Three courses, $115. 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Craftsteak: Roast salmon and roast sirloin. Three courses, $115. 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Daniel: Bone-marrow-crusted Dover sole, kataifi-crusted sea scallops, and a duo of dry-aged Angus beef. Three courses, $135 adults, $65 children. Noon to 7 p.m.

davidburke & donatella: Filet mignon of veal, cavatelli and braised short rib, dry-aged prime rib eye, wild salmon “ham,” halibut T-bone, lobster “steak,” and Chatham cod. Three courses, $85. Noon to 9 p.m.

DB Bistro Moderne: Diver scallops, Atlantic salmon, orecchiette, and roasted rack of lamb. Three courses, $76 adults, $38 children. Noon to 9 p.m.

Dovetail: Short-rib gnocchi, prime rib, halibut, and ham. Three courses, $75. Noon to 9 p.m.

Eighty One: Salmon à la plancha, braised short rib, and sea scallops. Three courses, $65 adults, $32 children. 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Eleven Madison Park: Wild skate and dry-aged prime beef. Four courses, $135. 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Felidia: Pork ribs, beef shank, and lamb sausage. Four courses, $68. 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.

Five Points: Short ribs. Three courses, $65 adults, $25 children. 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Four Seasons: Seared scallops, roasted snapper, filet mignon, grilled lamb chops, veal chop, venison, and crisp duck. Three courses, $135. Seatings at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m.

Gilt: Prime rib. Three courses, $110. 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Good: Cider-glazed pork tenderloin and roasted salmon. Four courses, $68 adults, $29 children. 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Gordon Ramsay at the London: Filet of Brandt beef. Six courses, $150. 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Gotham Bar and Grill: Mushroom risotto and a roasted veal chop. Four courses, $110. Noon to 9 p.m.

Grayz: Grilled walleye pike, seared halibut, and braised flatiron steak. Three courses, $85. Noon to 8 p.m.

The Harrison: Duck breast, grilled scallops, hanger steak, and slow-cooked Arctic char. Three courses, $65 adults, $45 children. 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Icon: Wild salmon, lasagne, and, if you must have turkey, a turkey and foie gras ballotine. Three courses, $50. Noon to 6 p.m.

Inside Park at St. Bart’s: Cedar-roasted salmon, juniper-smoked loin of venison, and Native American bean stew. Four courses, $68 adults, $25 children. Noon to 6 p.m.

Irving Mill: Sea bass. Three courses, $55. 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Isabella’s: Braised short ribs. À la carte pricing. 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

James: Filet mignon, butternut-squash risotto, halibut, and pine-nut-and-rosemary-crusted loin of lamb. Three courses, $75. 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Keen’s Steakhouse: Prime rib, lobster, mutton chip, and filet mignon. Five courses, $86 adults, $43 children. 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Le Cirque: Halibut and strip steak. Four courses, $105. Noon to 8:30 p.m.

Maze: Filet of Brandt beef. Five courses, $75. Noon to 10 p.m.

Mia Dona: Grilled branzino, pappardelle Bolognese, and grilled hanger steak. Three courses, $45. 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Oak Room: Herb-crusted salmon, maple-bourbon-glazed Virginia ham, and roast loin of pork. Three courses, $85. Served from noon to 5 p.m. in the dining room, at 5:30 in the cabaret before a performance by Andrea Marcovicci.

Olana: Prime rib, ham, and salmon. Three courses, $75 adults, $30 children. 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

One If by Land, Two If by Sea: Beef Wellington. Three courses, $85. 1:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Park Avenue Autumn: Filet mignon, venison chop, halibut with black truffles, and crispy Arctic char. Three courses, $79 adults, $49 children. 11:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Payard: Wild striped bass and hanger steak frites. Three courses, $62. Noon to 7 p.m.

Perilla: Sautéed triggerfish, roasted porchetta, kombu-oil-poached salmon, grilled steak, and pan-roasted wild striped bass “vitello tonato.” Three courses, $65. 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Petrossian: Filet mignon, Chilean sea bass, and pumpkin risotto. Four courses, $73. 2 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.

Picholine: Venison, wild-mushroom risotto, and scallops. Four courses, $95. 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Pomme de Terre: Beef Wellington. Three courses, $29. Noon to 8 p.m.

Pranna: Mint-braised lamb shank, crispy red snapper. Four courses, $65; $85 with wine pairing, $95 with cocktail pairing. 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Prune: Entrée choices include capons. Five courses, $70. 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Pure Food and Wine: Pecan, baby spinach, and aged-cashew-cheese tamale; and sage-rubbed portabella and king oyster mushrooms. Four courses, $72. 12:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The Red Cat: Roasted suckling pig, grilled and roasted salmon, grilled New York strip, and crispy sautéed skate. Three courses, $65 adults, $45 children. 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The River Café: Crisp duck breast, prime dry-aged sirloin, Colorado lamb, Maine lobster, vegetarian risotto, and branzino. Four courses, $125. 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Savoy: Wild striped bass, and spiced goat chops. Four courses, $85. 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Telepan: Seared duck breast, heritage pork, roasted trout, and wild striped bass. Three courses, $79 adults, $40 children. 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Town: New York strip, Arctic char, and roasted trout. Three courses, $75. 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Friday Food-NYC Food Events for the Weekend and Beyond

Posted by Tam Ngo of Serious Eats: New York, November 13, 2008 at 7:00 PM

Thanksgiving Food & Wine Tasting
Saturday, November 15, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Learn how to pair wines with Thanksgiving classics and sample a variety of food and drink. The City Bakery will be providing tastes of turkey plus trimmings. And dessert! Free. Bottlerocket Wine & Spirit, 5 West 19th Street, New York NY 10011; 212.929.2323 event website

Healthy Taste of Corona Cookbook Launch Event
Sunday, November 16, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Join the Queens Art Museum for food tastings and cultural performances in celebration of the cultural vibrance of Corona. Samples will showcase traditional foods that reflect the diversity of the neighborhood. Queens Art Museum, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens NY 11368; 718.592.9700 event website

Five Senses Dinner Series: Taste
Sunday, November 16, 6:00 p.m to 10:00 p.m.
Blue Hill at Stone Barns’ Executive Chef Dan Barber, with renowned food writer Harold McGee, is hosting a dinner focused on the theme of “taste.” Tickets are $200/person and include a tasting menu, wine, and tip. Blue Hill at Stone Barns, 630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills NY 10591; 914.366.6200, ext. 110; event website

Meet-the-Farmer Dinner
Tuesday, November 18, 7:00 p.m.
Applewood will be serving a farmer-led dinner featuring the grass-fed beef of Hepworth Farm. Tickets are $85/person (plus tax and tip) and include a wine pairing. Applewood, 501 11th Street (nr. 7th Avenue), Brooklyn NY 11215; 718.788.1014 event website

Street Fair
Saturday, November 15
45th Street between 5th and 7th Avenues; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday Food-NYC Food Events for the Weekend & Beyond

From Serious Eats NY by Tam Ngo, November 6, 2008 at 7:00 PM

11th Annual Chocolate Show
Friday, November 7, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, November 8, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, November 9, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The three-day Chocolate Show will feature demonstrations, samples from more than 60 exhibitors, and chocolate art, music, and fashion. Tickets are $28 for adults, free for up to two children under the age of 12. (Tickets for additional children are $8 each.) Pier 94, 711 12th Avenue (nr. 55th St.); 212.307.7171, event website

Tastings NYC
Friday, November 7, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, November 8, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, November 9, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Come to a gourmet food show replete with samples, gifts, and wine tastings. Tickets are $75/person/day, $80/person/day when combined with the Chocolate Show, or $95 for access to special events. Pier 94, 711 12th Avenue (nr. 55th St.); 212.307.7171, event website

Brooklyn Kitchen’s Ramen-Off
Sunday, November 9, 7 p.m.
Brooklyn Kitchen celebrates its second birthday with a ramen-inspired cook-off. Have you ever wanted to bake a ramen pie? Creativity honored; prizes awarded. Bring an entry or come hungry. Free. Union Pool, 484 Union Avenue; Williamsburg; event website

Street Fairs
Saturday, November 8
University Place between Waverly and 14th Street; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Astor Place between Lafayette and Broadway; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, September 9
Madison Avenue between 42nd and 57th Streets; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday, November 11
56th Street between Madison and 6th Avenues; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Broadway between Fulton and Battery Place; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bacon, Beer, and Chutney
Monday, November 10, 7 p.m.
Enjoy bacon-friendly beers at Jimmy’s No. 43. Josh Ozersky of The Feedbag and Wendy W. Smith of School House Kitchen will host a bacon, beer, and condiment tasting. Tickets are $45/person. 47 East 7 Street; event website via Feedbag

Friday Food-NYC Food Events for the Weekend

From Serious Eats NY by Tam Ngo, October 30, 2008

Photograph by Tam

Brewtopia: the Great World Beer Festival
Friday, October 31, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, November 1, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Taste 2-ounce samples from over 100 breweries at New York’s longest running beer festival. Rabblerouse to live bands like Captain Ahab and the Sea Crackens. Tickets are $59/person, restricted to 21+ adults. (Note, the festival runs in three separate sessions.) Pier 92 (52nd Street at 12th Avenue), event website

32nd Annual Village Halloween Costume Ball
Friday, October 31, 3:30 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Shake your moneymaker at the 32nd Annual Village Halloween Costume Ball, featuring jazz bands, fire eaters, stilt dancers. Enjoy a buffet catered by East Village chefs, couscous out of a coffin, and cabaret shows. Over 450 sculptors, painters, scenic designers, and volunteers have transformed 30,000 square feet of multi-level space into a series of Halloween environments. Attendees in costume will be judged in such categories as “Most Mortgage-Defaulted,” “Most Severance-Paid Banker,” “Nastiest Soccer Mom,” “Most Botoxed,” “Most Deregulated,” and “Most Born-Again, and Again, and Again.” Costume or formal-wear required. Tickets are $20/person. Theater for the New City, 155 First Avenue; East Village (bn. 9th and 10th Streets); 212.254.1109 event website

Swalloweenie
Friday, October 31, 8 p.m. onward
Bob for hot dogs and wash it down with blood-red beer. Barbeque and pumpkin ale are also provided. Compete in a costume party featuring such categories as “Most Gory” and “Best Look-Alike.” Free. Stain Bar, 766 Grand Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (nr. Humboldt Street); 718.387.7840 event website

El Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead Celebration
Sunday, November 2, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Enjoy El Día de los Muertos as part of QMA’s First Sundays for Families. Explore Mesoamerican traditions and taste guagua de pan (a sweet bread shaped like babies) and cola morada (a drink made from berries, spices, and oatmeal). See dance performances by Ballet Folklorico Nueva Juventud and Ballet Folklorico Infantil Telpochtli. For the Day of the Dead, memories of deceased loved ones are honored by altars bearing their favorite foods, personal effects, and mementos. Participating artists will help you make your own artistic altars for communal display. Queens Museum of Art, Flushing Meadows Corona Park; Queens; 718.592.9700; event website

Street Fairs
Saturday, November 1
West 4th Street between Washington Square East to Lafayette; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Madison Avenue between 42nd and 57th Streets; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, November 2
6th Avenue between 34th and 42nd Streets; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Broadway between 17th and 23rd Streets; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday Food-Learn It, Don’t Burn It: NYC Food Classes for 10/23 to 10/31

via Serious Eats: New York by Allison Hemler on 10/22/08

‘Knife Skills, Deboning & Filleting’ at FCI
Saturday, October 25, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., $525
The first in a three-session class in the Italian kitchens at FCI explores knife handling and care with basic slicing and dicing technique. The other two sessions get into more sophisticated cuts and filleting fish and deboning chicken.
The Italian Culinary Academy at FCI, 462 Broadway (at Grand Street), Manhattan; 888.324.CHEF; italianculinaryacademy.com for info and registration

Hands-on Mozzarella’ at Artisanal
Monday, October 27, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., $125
This get-your-hands-dirty class is all about making the freshest of the fresh mozzarella from scratch. You’ll make, taste, and bring home the cheese, and you’ll drink some wine along with it.
Artisanal Premium Cheese Center, 500 West 37th Street (at 11th Avenue), Manhattan; 877.797.1200 artisanalcheese.com for info and registration

‘Really Great Wines for Under $20’ at ICE
Monday, October 27, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., $75
Resident Ron Ciavolino will cater to the everyday consumer who’s looking for a wine under $20–it’s not just crap anymore.
The Institute of Culinary Education, 50 West 23rd Street (at Sixth Avenue), Manhattan; 800.522.4610; web.iceculinary.com for more info and registration

‘Astor Trivia Challenge: Food Fight’ at Astor Center
Monday, October 27, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., $35
Hosted by Josh Ozersky, individuals or teams (of up to 6) will participate in a trivia game on food history and all things New York culinary, as well as a blind tasting round. Eats provided by Nueske’s Smoked Meats. Winner gets a $250 gift certificate to Nueske’s. Trivia held at The Gallery.
Astor Center, 399 Lafayette Street (at East 4th Street), Manhattan; 212.674.7501: astorcenternyc.com for info and registration

‘Succulently-Stuffed Vegetable Entrées’ at the Natural Gourmet
Tuesday, October 28, 6:30 to 10 p.m., $95
Healthy comfort food–think that would ever exist? Learn how to stuff vegetables with fillings full of flavor and complexity. Students will make: Mushroom-Stuffed Halupki (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls); Sweet Onions Gratinée; Baby Eggplants Duxelles; Cubanelle Chiles Relleños; and Chayote Stuffed with Whole Grain Pilaf of Garlicky Quinoa, Millet & Dried Fruit.
Natural Gourmet Institute, 48 West 21st Street (at Sixth Avenue), 2nd Floor, Manhattan; 212.645.5170; naturalgourmetschool.com for info and registration

‘Super Hot Spain’ at Hearth
Tuesday, October 28, 7 p.m., $150
The second of the Fall Series of Wine Dinners at Hearth kicks it up a notch with Spanish wines off the beaten path, which will be discussed, tasted, and paired along with mouth-watering foods. Wine Director Paul Grieco leads. Cost is all-inclusive.
Hearth, 403 East 12th Street (at First Avenue), Manhattan; 646.602.1300; restauranthearth.com for more info, call or email pgrieco@restauranthearth.com to register

‘Basic Knife Skills’ at Brooklyn Kitchen
Wednesday, October 29, 6:30 p.m., $25
Chef Brendan McDermott leads a hands-on class (up to 8 people, so register ASAP) on knife use, care, and safety. Please bring your own knife. If this class sells out, you’ll have another opportunity in November.
Brooklyn Kitchen, 616 Lorimer Street (at Skillman Avenue), Brooklyn; 718.389.2982; thebrooklynkitchen.com for info and registration

‘Donuts of the World’ at ICE
Thursday, October 30, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., $100
Ever made donuts at home? Now you’ll learn how, with recipes for tasty fried treats from all different areas of the world.
The Institute of Culinary Education, 50 West 23rd Street (at Sixth Avenue), Manhattan; 800.522.4610; web.iceculinary.com for more info and registration

‘Tea 101’ at Whole Foods Bowery
Thursday, October 30, 7 to 8:30 p.m., $25
Sip and talk tea with folks from The Republic of Tea. Processing, varieties, origins, caffeine content, health benefits, brewing techniques, and history will be explored. Prepare yourself for a fully relaxing and hydrating night.
Whole Foods Bowery, 95 East Houston Street (at Bowery), Manhattan; 212.420.1320 acteva.com for registration

Free (Or Almost Free) Tastings, Lectures, and Workshops

Culinary Careers Workshop’ at FCI
Saturday, October 25, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., free
The French Culinary Institute is one of the most well-respected culinary schools in the world–this workshop provides an answer to the question “what can I do when I graduate?” Anyone even remotely interested in becoming a chef or going to culinary school should attend to get answers to questions about financial aid, switching careers, and staying employed after graduation.
French Culinary Institute, 462 Broadway (at Grand Street), Manhattan; 888-324-CHEF; frenchculinary.com for info and openhouse@frenchculinary.com to reserve a seat

Divine Chocolate ‘Pop-Up’ Shop at Art in General
Monday, October 27, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., free
Fair trade brand Divine Chocolate transforms an art gallery into a chocolate store and workshop, featuring samples of plenty of chocolates and opportunities to buy for the holidays.
Art in General, 79 Walker Street (b/n Broadway and Lafayette), Manhattan; 212.219.0473 artingeneral.org for info

‘Beard on Books: Greg Patent, A Baker’s Odyssey‘ at The Beard House
Wednesday, October 29, 12:00 p.m., suggested donation
This literary series features conversations with notable culinary authors: this month’s features A Baker’s Odyssey, a collection of recipes from home kitchens of American immigrants. Illy coffee and Green & Black chocolate will be served, but bringing along a brown-bag lunch is suggested.
The Beard House, 167 West 12th Street (at Seventh Avenue), Manhattan; 212.627.2308 to reserve seats, jamesbeard.org for more info

Food and Science discussion with Grant Achatz and Nathan Myhrvold at NYPL
Wednesday, October 29, 7 to 8:30 p.m., $10 for live telecast
While tickets to this discussion are sold out, you can sit in on the live telecast in the South Court Classrooms for $10. Alinea chef Grant Achatz and Intellectual Ventures CEO Nathan Myhrvold are joined by Wired senior editor Mark McClusky to discuss how science and technology are transforming the way we look at food. Is the kitchen becoming synonymous with a laboratory?
New York Public Library (Humanities and Social Sciences Library), 42nd Street & Fifth Avenue, Manhattan; 917.275.6975; nypl.org for more info, smarttix.com for tickets

The 4th Annual Arrival of the Brooklyn Brewery’s 2008 Black Chocolate Stout at The Chocolate Room
Wednesday, October 29, 7 to 9 p.m., free
Brooklyn Brewery’s Garrett Oliver speaks about the Black Chocolate stout alongside plenty of delicious desserts. No reservations necessary.
The Chocolate Room, 86 Fifth Avenue (at Prospect Place), Brooklyn; 718.783.2900; thechocolateroombrooklyn.com for more info

Friday Food-NYC Food Events for the Weekend

via Serious Eats: New York by Tam Ngo on 10/16/08

Vendy Awards. Photograph by Adam “Slice” Kuban

2008 Vendy Awards
Saturday, October 18, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Nine finalists offering the best of New York’s street food will compete in sweet and savory categories at the fourth annual Vendy Awards. Tax-deductible tickets are $80 in advance, $100 at the door, and the price includes food from all the vendors. Proceeds to benefit the Street Vendor Project, a nonprofit organization supporting New York City vendors. Tobacco Warehouse (Empire-Fulton State Park), Dumbo, Brooklyn; event website

Apple Day Festival
Sunday, October 19, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Come celebrate apple season! Along what used to be the Delancey Apple Orchard of the 1700’s, this street festival will feature an old-fashioned cider press, a live honey beehive, historical walking tours, and apple foods, arts, and crafts! Free. Orchard Street (b/n Broome and Grand Streets), Lower East Side; event website

Enid’s Apple Pie Bake-Off
Sunday, October 19, 6 p.m.
Bake your best apple pie for Enid’s annual Apple Pie Bake-Off. Categories include “prettiest pie” and “most like Mom’s”. Sample entries with Enid’s drink specials. Sponsored by Enid’s and Brooklyn Kitchen. Free. Enid’s, 560 Manhattan Ave (nr. Driggs Ave), Williamsburg, Brooklyn; event website

Street Fairs
Saturday, October 18
Waverly Place between Broadway and 5th Avenue; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Greenwich Avenue between 6th and 7th Avenues; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
3rd Avenue between 149th and 156th Streets, Bronx; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, October 19
Bleecker Street between Lafayette and Laguardia Streets; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
3rd Avenue between 23rd and 34th Streets; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday Food-NYC Food Events for the Weekend and Beyond

via Serious Eats: New York by Tam Ngo on 10/9/08

Tom Mylan and his love: the pig. Photograph by Erin Zimmer.

Big Brooklyn Pig Roast and Harvest Hoedown
Friday, October 10, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Join Brooklynites for a pig roast and music melee! A 200-pound heritage hog from Fleisher’s Grass-fed and Organic Meats will be roasted over a pit and served with a variety of salsas, corn, fresh greens, and beans and rice. Other highlights: apple crisp and Blue Marble cinnamon ice cream, and draft Sixpoints (just $1 from 6 to 7 p.m.). Tickets include all food and are $32 with advanced purchase or $40 at the door. Free admission to children under 10. A portion of the proceeds will go to the New Farmer Development Project, providing immigrants resources to start their own agricultural endeavors. The Yard, 388-400 Carroll Street, Brooklyn; event website

Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival
Now through Sunday, October 12
In its seventh year, this food and drink festival comes to New York City for the first time bringing together both legendary culinary icons from around the globe and America’s most beloved television chefs. Enjoy walking tours, kids’ baking classes, wine and cheese tastings, and panel discussions with famous chefs. All net proceeds to go to the hunger relief programs Food Bank for New York City and Share Our Strength. Many of the events are sold out, but some still have tickets availability. Events at various locations throughout the city; event website

Gowanus Harvest Festival
Saturday, October 11, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Brooklyn! Fall! Brews! Bounty! Enjoy farm fresh food, live music, local vendors, pumpkin carving contests, pony rides, delicious brews, and other triumphs of sustainable urban living. Tickets are $12; free admission to children under 5. The Yard, 388-400 Carroll Street, Brooklyn; event website

World Pizza Eating Championship
Sunday, October 12, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Famous Famiglia’s first international pizza eating championship, sanctioned by world- renowned Major League Eating (MLE) and the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE). Joey Chestnut and Patrick Bertoletti will be just a few of the competitors at this historical eating event. Times Square Military Island, 43rd Street and 7th Avenue; event website

Street Fairs
Saturday, October 11
West 4th Street from 6th Avenue to University Place; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Broadway between 110th and 116th Streets; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
8th Avenue between 42nd and 57th Streets; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
63rd Drive between Austin Street and Queens Boulevard, Queens; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, October 12
6th Avenue between 42nd and 56th Streets; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Amsterdam Avenue between 76th and 86th Streets; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday, October 13
Broadway between Fulton Street and Battery Place
Greenpoint Avenue between Queens Boulevard and 44th Street, Queens; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday, October 14
Maiden Lane between Water and South Streets; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday Food-Tips for Drinking During the Recession

via NY Barfly by NYBarfly on 10/2/08

It’s exhausting to read the news these days. Banks are in trouble, congress can’t decide whose pennies to pinch, and everything seems headed down – like a drunk into the gutter. Luckily, one area of the economy is still growing: alcohol sales. It seems that we are handling this economic downturn much better than our forbearers did during the Great Depression. Where they were busy jumping out of hotel windows and standing in bread lines (oh-so-not-chic) the modern American consumer is showing their resilience by simply getting wasted.

To keep things chugging along it’s important to keep yourself chugging. Barfly is here with some important recession minded tips – even though alcohol sales are up, we all should do our part to cut back. We wouldn’t want the downturn to grow into a recession, and then a depression, and then a 9 am “how the hell did I get to queens and why am I lying in a child’s sandbox with all of these cats” sort of bender.

1. Consider staying in – Yes, we know that your abode may not be as glorious as ours (not all of had you kitchenette torn out and replaced with a series of vodka infusion urns) but we’re sure you can find fun things to do without going out and blowing $100 at the bar. Like staying in and wishing you could be blowing $100 at the bar (try drawing a picture of yourself having “that” kind of fun, for comfort).

2. Start slumming it. Why drink Grey Goose when you can settle for Absolut? Why buy your own drink when that 320 lb stranger at the bar can buy it for you? So what that he’s got date rape written all over him, it’s a bad economy, sacrifices need to be made.

3. When times are tight – you really have to cut back on the luxuries. No more doing ridiculous things like “buying food”. The gin is all you need to get through these tough times – and your constitution will be all the better for it.

4. Make your own! What do you think your bathtub is for anyway? Just grab some cheap hooch, juniper, a funnel, and a gigantic wooden oar for stirring. The best part about your bathtub concoction is that you can bottle and sell the leftovers. We hear that people will pay a bit more if you add in a “secret” ingredient. No, not love – you softie. A bit of formaldehyde gives your moonshine that extra special kick!

5. Most importantly – keep a positive attitude. It’s easy to get caught up in the mania and feel much worse off than you actually are. If you lose everything – make sure to look at the bright side. Start smiling, frantically rocking back and forth, and remind yourself “HAHAHA, they didn’t get everything! Just the things that make me happy. HAHA – no they didn’t!  I’M SO FRICKIN HAPPY!”

Friday Food-Gordon Ramsey Casting for New Season of Hell’s Kitchen Via Craigslist

via Grub Street on 10/2/08

Think The Next Food Network Star (currently casting) is small potatoes? Then jump into the fire with Gordo! That’s right, the next season of Hell’s Kitchen is looking for victims. Like being told you have “a palate like a cow’s backside” and getting dishes thrown at you while PAs snicker? Then respond to this casting call for the “culinary opportunity of a lifetime!!” — it can’t be any more humiliating than the last time you answered a Craisglist ad!

CASTING-FOX TV-HELL’S KITCHEN -LOOKING 4 SKILLED CHEFS/COOKS (Greater NY/NJ/CONN AREA)
Reply to: Twinsworld1@aol.com [?]
Date: 2008-10-01, 5:10PM EDT

CASTING IMMEDIATELY
FOX TV’S HIT SHOW “HELL’S KITCHEN” starring Gordon Ramsay is BACK
DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO WORK SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH WORLD-RENOWNED CHEF GORDON RAMSAY?
Do you think YOU can stand the heat in HELL’S KITCHEN?

HELL’S KITCHEN is looking Chefs, 21 & over, who are outspoken, competitive, passionate, SKILLED at their craft and aim to become the next winner of “Hell’s Kitchen”. If you are hungry to prove you can out cook the competition,
WE WANT TO MEET YOU!
This is a culinary opportunity of a lifetime!!
If you are interested in auditioning OR plan on attending the open call,
EMAIL immediately:
Email : Twinsworld1@aol.com
We will be auditioning from now until the open call so please email us with the info requested below and you may hear from us momentarily. If you do not hear back from us due to the large response, DEFINITELY ATTEND the open call so we can meet you!!

UPCOMING OPEN AUDITION
SUTTON PLACE BAR & RESTAURANT
Monday OCT 20TH, 2008
Time:11:00am-5:00pm
1015 Second Avenue (Between 53 & 54th St)
New York, New York 10022
If you do have restaurant or culinary experience, please bring resume
==============================

=======================
If you are interested in auditioning OR plan on attending the open call,
EMAIL immediately:
Email : Twinsworld1@aol.com

Please put “HELL’S KITCHEN” in the subject title
You must include your full name, age, telephone numbers, PHOTO,
where you live-state, about your culinary experience, why you would be the perfect contestant for the show & what sets you apart from the rest!!

Were you a private chef for a celebrity, a private chef for a major league baseball, football, sports team? Have you ever worked as a fry cook in a fast food restaurant, old age home, a summer camp, chef for the president, OR anywhere interesting and different? Did you come from a long line of chefs or are just self taught!!! Tell us your story!

You must be over 21 to audition and to attend any open calls!
You must be a US Citizen or permanent legal resident of the U.S.!
If you have already auditioned on camera for another season, you do not need to come –
Send us an email with your information and let us know you auditioned!

CASTING-FOX TV-HELL’S KITCHEN -LOOKING 4 SKILLED CHEFS/COOKS (Greater NY/NJ/CONN AREA) [Craigslist]