Advance registration or reservations are recommended for most events. Prices exclude tax and gratuity unless otherwise noted.
ON THE PLATE
April 16–18
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 19
Making his Seattle debut is Jean-Pierre Vincent, winemaker for Nicolas Feuillatte. At this Cascadia dinner, he will present his full line of champagnes, paired with a five-course dinner by Chef Kerry Sear. $75. Call for time. 2328 First Ave., 206-448-8884. BELLTOWN
April 21
Join the Women’s Funding Alliance as they celebrate 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 a little 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
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
April 17
If you’re going to be up north this weekend, you might consider attending the Skagit Valley Resort and Casino’s Moon Beach Restaurant dinner, featuring Hogue Cellars wines. Pairings include 2001 Hogue Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon with a New York strip steak served with Gorgonzola butter. $85. 6 p.m. 5984 N. Darrk Lane, 877-275-2448. BOW
April 18
Mad about merlots? Take the Tasting Room up on its 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
Vashon Island’s Andrew Will Winery will be represented at the Fish Club tonight for a dinner featuring Chris Ainsworth’s menu and the award-winning winery’s reds. $95. 6 p.m. 2100 Alaskan Way, 206-256-1040. WATERFRONT
April 21
The Green Lake PCC wants you to know that wine releases happen all year round, and right now, it’s inviting you to celebrate a fresh crop of wines from New Zealand, Italy, France, Spain, and California. $5. 6:30–8 p.m. 7504 Aurora Ave. N., 206-547-1222. GREEN LAKE
April 21
On behalf of the family of the late Devin Derby of Spring Valley Vineyard, Canlis will host a silent auction tonight. Derby, who leaves behind his wife and 4-year-old son, died in late December in an automobile accident; he had no insurance and left over $50,000 in hospital bills. Call for time. 2576 Aurora Ave. N., 206-283-3313. QUEEN ANNE
April 22–24
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. 800-258-7270. YAKIMA
April 27
Here’s a benefit and tasting that makes all kinds of sense. The fifth annual Boutique Winery Showcase features up-and-coming wineries that produce small quantities of wine—so small that they often can’t afford to participate in other wine showcases. Although held at the Pampas Club, money from ticket sales for this event goes to Boomtown Cafe, an organization well worth supporting. $25. Call for time. 90 Wall St., 206-526-1292. BELLTOWN
April 30
Take a trip back in time to 1990 with sommelier Arnie Millan at this Waterfront Seafood Grill special wine event. A five-course dinner will be paired with outstanding wines like Chateau Guiraud Sauternes, which Wine Spectator gave a 96. 7 p.m. $225. 2801 Alaskan Way, Pier 70. WATERFRONT
BACK TO SCHOOL
April 16
It’s almost time to drag out the Weber again, and Cook’s World has a class for those of you who are raring to go. Learn the basics of ‘queing, grilling, and smoking from “Smokin” Walt Grosjean, local BBQ competitor and champ. $50 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. 2900 N.E. Blakeley St., 206-528-8192. UNIVERSITY DISTRICT
April 17
Paella ranks up there with risotto and soufflés on the list of things that just aren’t easy to prepare. Trained at the Instituto Culinario de Granada, Seattle magazine contributor Ernesto Pino might just be the person to help get you on the right track. Learn paella, white gazpacho, and apple cake at this Blue Ribbon class. $85. 2–5 p.m. 2501 Fairview Ave. E., 206-328-2442. EASTLAKE
April 18
Learn from one of the gurus of veggies, Deborah Madison, by picking up her Vegetarian Suppers—and hope that some of her culinary expertise rubs off on you when she signs your copy at this University Book Store signing at Mill Creek Town Center. 6 p.m. Bothell-Everett Highway and 153rd Street Southeast, 425-385-3530. MILL CREEK
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 20
The “Chef in the Hat,” Thierry Rautureau, has a new cookbook coming out in October, but if you get into this Dish It Up! class, you can hear all about it as he previews recipes like Sonoma squab breast with braised cabbage and rosemary sauce. $90. 6–8:30 p.m. 2425 33rd Ave. W. Suite B, 206-281-7800. MAGNOLIA
April 26
Are you one of those people who think there’s no good Mexican food in Seattle? Well, do something about it by attending this Shoreline Community College cooking class at the Central Market. $39. 6:30–9:30 p.m. 160th Street and Aurora Avenue, 206-533-6700. SHORELINE
May 3
Breakfast in bed is such a delicious thing, and RainCity wants to help you create a perfect Venetian morning. Their idea of a good time includes espresso with lemon, baked peaches, and polenta with prosciutto and mascarpone. $60. 6:30 p.m. 1883 145th Place S.E., 425-644-4285. BELLEVUE
