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

ON THE PLATE

Nov. 26-Dec. 28

Love pink tutus and family dinners? Kaspar’s three-course Nutcracker Dinner menu includes the Nutcracker’s grilled chicken with roasted pear and the Sugar Plum Fairy’s homemade s’mores. A Children’s menu available as well. $30 adults, $15 children. From 4:30 p.m. on performance nights. 19 W. Harrison, 206-298-0123. QUEEN ANNE

Dec. 1

By their very nature, nightly specials come and go, but tonight at Union Bay Cafe, Manhattan chef Michael Lomonaco’s are making a reprise. Culling from the “du jour” specialties Lomonaco has created over the years at New York City’s 21 Club and Windows on the World, Union Bay’s Mark Manley will prepare tonight’s dinner. Call for time. $95. 3515 N.E. 45th St., 206-527-8364. UNIVERSITY DISTRICT

Dec. 2

At this Serafina-hosted cookbook event, “slow foods” refers as much to an actual preparation method as a macro-level awareness initiative. Join Italian Slow and Savory author Joyce Goldstein and chef John Neumark for a dinner based on Goldstein’s long-simmered soups and slow-roasted meats. $95. Call for time. 2043 Eastlake Ave. E., 206-323-0807. EASTLAKE

Dec. 3

For better or worse, fruitcake is a part of the season, and Pike Place Market created an annual event around it: Fruitcake Follies. Get crazy and kooky with your fruitcake recipe and enter it to be judged by Market tenants, or just compete in the fruitcake relay. Sounds like a joke, but the prizes aren’t; included is a two-night stay at the Inn at the Market. No charge. 2 p.m.; e-mail fruitcake@pikeplacemarket.org or visit www.pikeplacemarket.org

Dec. 4

Love gingerbread houses but hate the mess of preparing the fixings? At this event, Kaspar’s will provide the gingerbread so you and your kids can decorate your own festive cookie compound. 9 a.m. or noon. $35 per gingerbread house. 19 W. Harrison, 206-298-0123. QUEEN ANNE

Dec. 5

Try some of Kathy Casey’s Dish D’Lish gourmet grocery items at Capers’ holiday open house. The local author and chef will also sign her latest books, Dishing with Kathy Casey and Star Palate, which features recipes from celebrities and benefits cancer research. 719 N. 34th St., 206-545-7876. FREMONT

THE GRAPEVINE

Nov. 27

Not all bubbly is from Champagne, you know. Taste non-Champage holiday sparklers from all over the world at this Red Apple Market free event. 3–6 p.m. 3601 Fremont Ave. N., 206-633-FOOD. FREMONT

Dec. 2

Please both your Francophile friends and your environmentally correct family with knowledge of French and Washington wine pairings gleaned from this South Seattle Community College class. $32. 6–9 p.m. 6000 16th Ave. S.W., 206-764-5339. WEST SEATTLE

Dec. 3 & 4

No doubt you’re aware of Oregon’s reputation for making great pinot noir; at these special Ponzi Vineyard winemaker dinners at Earth & Ocean, you can meet Maria Ponzi and taste her pinots—and more. Fair warning: The adventurous menu includes buttermilk fried frog legs! Call for times. $45 for dinner, $20 for the wine flight. 1112 Fourth Ave., 206-264-6060. DOWNTOWN

Dec. 4 & 5

Many small wineries can’t always pull off an open-house atmosphere, but at this time of year, this collective effort makes it possible. Celebrate the holiday season with wine tastings, entertainment, food, and general perusal in Woodinville’s wine country. Visit www.woodinvillewinecountry.com for more information.

Dec. 5

Sampling a bottle of 1977 Colheitta port ought to put you in just the right mood for the holidays—or at least for tackling your shopping. Join sommelier Arnie Millan in looking at five different varieties of port at the Warwick Hotel. $39. 4 p.m. 401 Lenora, 206-612-6547. DOWNTOWN

Dec. 8

Champagne’s not just for breakfast anymore, darling. At this Flying Fish festive dinner, representatives from Taittinger and Domaine Carneros will guide you through a five-course menu of bubbly and cuisine. 6:30 p.m. $95. 2234 First Ave., 206-728-8595. BELLTOWN

BACK TO SCHOOL

Nov. 29

So you’re almost a sushi master? Join a true pro, Hajime Soto of Mashiko Restaurant, for advanced sushi rolling and learn some modern off-shoots of traditional sushi prep at Uwajimaya. $75. 6 p.m. 600 Fifth Ave., 206-624-6248. CHINATOWN/INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT

Nov. 30

Thinking of giving the gift of food? This Cook’s World class will teach artful presentation as well as preparation of items such as pickled jalapeños, almond carrot jam, and herbed vodka. $44. 6:30–9:30 p.m. 2900 N.E. Blakeley St., 206-528-8192. UNIVERSITY VILLAGE

Dec. 1

Learn kosher cooking at Blue Ribbon Cooking School—just in time for Hanukkah. Among the menu items: Matzoh ball soup and potato latkes. $85. 6:30–9:30 p.m. 2501 Fairview Ave. E., 206-328-2442. DOWNTOWN

Dec. 4

Yeah, those brown-and-serve rolls are a guilty pleasure, but at this Cook’s World class, Essential Baking Company’s chief baker will show you how to make artisan breads like Italian pannetone. $44. 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. 2900 N.E. Blakeley St., 206-528-8192. UNIVERSITY VILLAGE

Dec. 7

Earth & Ocean’s pastry chef, Sue McCown, has been delighting diners with her deserts for over 15 years. Join her tonight at Cook’s World as she concentrates on chocolate. 6:30–9:30 p.m. $46. 2900 N.E. Blakeley St., 206-528-8192. UNIVERSITY VILLAGE

Dec. 7

Christmas Eve dinner is at your brother-in-law’s house but you get the family the next morning? RainCity offers Christmas brunch recipes and instruction that ought to help out. 6:30 p.m. $60. 1883 145th Place S.E., 425-644-4285. BELLEVUE

Dec. 7

Already decided that your Christmas dinner is going to vary just slightly from the tried-and-true? This Seattle Central Community College culinary class teaches roasted New York strip steak with cabernet sauce and other not-strictly-traditional dishes. 6–9 p.m. $45. 1701 Broadway, demonstration kitchen/room BE2119, 206-587-5424. CAPITOL HILL

Dec. 8

Learning to prepare Chinese food seems daunting, but NuCulinary at Uwajimaya wants to disprove that notion by teaching you how to make dishes like Mongolian beef and Hong Kong–style chow mein. 6 p.m. $50. 600 Fifth Ave., 206-624-6248. CHINATOWN/INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT