Advance registration or reservations are recommended for most events. Prices exclude tax and gratuity unless otherwise noted.

ON THE PLATE

April 12

We know you Food Network fanatics never miss a chance to meet your favorite show’s stars, so skip lunch and mark your calendar for Giada De Laurentiis’ book-signing event at Serafina. Sure, her recent book, Everyday Italian, attempts to make it easy for you to prepare hearty Italian meals at home, but since you’ll already be at this Italian restaurant at dinnertime. . . . Free. 6:30–8:30 p.m. 2043 Eastlake Ave. E., 206-323-0807. EASTLAKE

April 15

If you’re one who labors over which wines to serve with what entrées, you have probably been told to pair your fish with whites. At this special Flying Fish dinner, co-hosted with Beaux Frères winemaker Mike Eitzel, no one will tell you that this is wrong, but they’ll prove to you that it’s rather limiting. As you sip pinot noir while tasting the Thai curried sea scallops, you’ll come to understand why red wine goes great with seafood. $95. 6:30 p.m. 2234 First Ave., 206-728-8595. BELLTOWN

April 16 through 18

Would you settle for “in the cup” instead of “on the plate?” Over the weekend, the Perennial Tea Room will be hosting James Norwood Pratt, Tea Guru. Whether you attend Saturday’s book signing at the Tea Room, the tea tasting at the Crowne Plaza on Sunday, or the tea-pairing dinner at the Pink Door on Monday, you’re sure to be steeped (sorry) in tea knowledge by the time you’re through. Call the Perennial Tea Room at 206-448-4054 or visit www.perennialtearoom.com for more information.

April 21

Join the Women’s Funding Alliance as it celebrates female chefs and artists at the 13th annual Art of Dining at the Paramount Theatre. Featured chefs include Leslie Mackie of Macrina, Holly Smith of Cafe Juanita, and Debi Zerr of Dahlia Lounge; proceeds benefit women’s and girls’ organizations citywide. $125–$250. 5:30–9:30 p.m. 911 Pine St., 206-467-6733 or visit www.artofdining.org for more information. DOWNTOWN

May 3

You’ll have to go all the way Down Under in order to find the new Martha Stewart; she’s Donna Hay, and her new book, The Instant Cook, celebrates her trademark minimalism with more than a dash of style. Tonight at Nell’s, chef Philip Mihalski will prepare a dinner based on Hay’s book, which she will sign if you so desire. $125. Call for times. 6804 E. Green Lake Way N., 206-524-4044. GREEN LAKE

THE GRAPEVINE

Through April 15

It’s tulip time again in Skagit County, and Carpenter Creek Winery is hosting daily tastings. Tiptoe through their three new releases and sample some hors d’oeuvres as you take in the views of the colorful fields outside. Visit www.carpentercreek.com for more information and pricing. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. 20376 E. Hickox Rd., 360-848-6673. MOUNT VERNON

April 18

Mad about Merlots? Take the Tasting Room up on their offer to educate you about seven marvelous ones at this fun and informative tasting. $12. 3–7 p.m. 1924 Post Alley, 206-770-9463. PIKE PLACE MARKET

April 20

You be the judge at this tasting of mostly ’80s highly rated California Cabernets. Are they better with time? Only you can say as you sit and sip in the lounge at the Waterfront Seafood Grill. $39. 7 p.m. Pier 70, 206-612-6547. DOWNTOWN

April 22 through 24

Sipping through Spring Barrel Tasting weekend in Yakima’s wine country is a great way to catch up with what’s new from some of your favorite Washington wineries. It might also be a great way to meet like-minded folks, so long as you brush up on your wine tasting protocol at www.wineyakimavalley.org beforehand. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. 1-800-258-7270 YAKIMA

April 16

Save some serious cash on airfare by attending this Red Apple Market tasting. Sample a few great Sangioveses and more, all from Argentina—without leaving Fremont—from Bodega Norton. Free. 3–6 p.m. 3601 Fremont Ave. N., 206-633-3663. FREMONT

BACK TO SCHOOL

April 13

Vietnamese food is a wonderful fusion of Asian and French cuisines. To learn more, consider this Cook’s World course taught by Green Papaya chef Thuy Hong and her mother, Suong Nguyen. $55. 6:30–9:30 p.m. 2900 N.E. Blakeley St., 206-528-8192. UNIVERSITY DISTRICT

April 13

By the time this four-week class is finished (it meets each Wednesday until May 4), you’ll know how to prepare over a dozen Middle Eastern dishes, and if you’re anything like us, we’re guessing that’s about a dozen more than you can prepare right now. Join Beirut-native and former caterer Ferial Farhat in the kitchen at Bitter Lake Community Center for some exciting and exotic instruction. $75. 6:30–8:30 p.m. 13015 Linden Ave. N., 206-684-7524 or e-mail sallyfarhat@journalist.com for more information. NORTH SEATTLE

April 19

With spring comes spring cleaning, spring gardening, and spring cooking—which, we hope, is not too much of a chore. Chef Laura Dewell says it doesn’t have to be. On her menu at this Dish it Up! class is pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon with wilted spinach salad, bread salad with spring asparagus, and morel mushrooms and baked tomatoes. $60. 6–8:30 p.m. 2425 33rd Ave. W. Suite B, 206-281-7800. MAGNOLIA

April 19

The truth is that we do judge books by their covers and we do, almost always, favor a well-plated, beautifully presented meal over one that just seems to come on a round piece of dinnerware. Chef Carol Dearth will teach you how to make your meal look picture perfect at this RainCity presentation primer. $65. 6:30 p.m. 1883 145th Place S.E., 425-644-4285. BELLEVUE

April 27

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo the small way—the small plate way, that is. In honor of the Mexican merriment, RainCity Cooking School is teaching shrimp-filled jalapeños rellenos, crab quesadillas, and more. $60. 6:30 p.m. 1883 145th Place S.E., 425-644-4285. BELLEVUE