Hunger is the best sauce in the world.
-Cervantes
Witch's brew is so "last weeknd." How about giving homebrew a try?
So many events, so little time! Drive out to Fredericksburg to meet the owner of the famous Wüsthof knife company or stay closer to home with ethnic festivals, a barbecue smoke-off, cooking and homebrew classes, wine classes and wine dinners, and special charity events. If only we had that extra hour this week!
Wurstfest
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, November 6 – 8
Landa Park
180 Landa Park Drive
New Braunfels, TX 78130
It is the last weekend of this sausage celebration! Hours are Friday, 5 p.m. until midnight; Saturday, 11 a.m. until 1 a.m.; and Sunday 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Regular admission is $8. Children 12 and under are free. http://www.wurstfest.com
Lebanese Festival
November 6, 6 – 11 p.m.; Nov. 7, noon – 11 p.m.; Nov. 8, noon – 6 p.m.; $3 adults (12+); $1 children under 12
Grounds of St. George Maronite Church
6070 Babcock Road
This family friendly celebration of Lebanese culture will include authentic Lebanese food and pastries, indoor stage performances by the Lebanese dance troupe, instruction in the traditional folk dance Dabke, Lebanese Bazaar and Oasis, and much more. For festival information, call (210) 690-9569 or see www.stgeorgesa.org.
November Cooking Demonstrations at the Pearl
Saturday, Nov. 6
Pearl Farmers Market
200 East Grayson
In addition to fresh produce, cooking demonstrations and musical entertainment are on the agenda at the Pearl Farmers Market, local chefs will be offering cooking demonstrations and sharing tips and recipes for using fresh seasonal produce by Chef Mark with SOGO. The market’s general hours are 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. The market also features a changing chef’s table lunch menu by Chef Johnny Hernandez, “representing what is seasonal and regional in our cuisine.” Hernandez serves the meal family-style and discusses each vendor and their seasonal ingredients. For information or reservations, go to www.mesallegre.com.
13th Annual “We’ve Got You Covered”
Saturday, Nov. 7, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wal-Mart Supercenter at I-10 @ De Zavala Rd.
5555 De Zavala Road
Each year, the event fills 2 to 4 forty-foot trailers with donations of new and used clothing, blankets, canned foods, sugar, coffee, baby formula, diapers, personal hygiene products, towels, sheets, paper goods and car seats for babies. 100% of everything donated goes directly to the people who need these items the most. There will also be a blood drive from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. More information is at http://wevegotyoucovered.org/.
11th Annual Teach a Friend to Homebrew Day
Saturday, Nov. 7, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Free
C4 Workspace
108 King William
The American Homebrewers Association and Original Gomez Brew Club of San Antonio are hosting this event for the first time in San Antonio. They hope to introduce the homebrewing hobby to locals and foster relationships between homebrew supply shops and homebrew clubs. Attendees can expect to learn about brewing and sample beers. More information is on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/sabrew.
“Baking at Home – The Desserts”
Saturday, Nov. 7, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., $250
Culinary Institute of America (CIA) San Antonio
312 Pearl Parkway, Building 3 (In the Pearl Center)
This class taught by CIA staff will show you fundamental techniques and simple recipes with chef demonstrations, informative lecture and kitchen productions. You will receive a CIA logo apron and a copy of “Baking at Home with The Culinary Institute of America” to take home.
Der Kuchen Laden presents Harald Wüsthof
Saturday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., free
258 E. Main St.
Fredericksburg, TX
Harald Wüsthof, the 7th generation owner of the German Wüsthof knife company, will be at this event featuring music, a book signing, and food and drink. For more information, call (830) 997-4937. littlechef.com
“Your Nose Knows! An Introduction to Tasting Wines” Wine Class
Saturday, Nov. 7, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., $30
Dry Comal Creek Vineyards
1741 Herbelin Road, New Braunfels, TX 78132
There are lots of ways to learn about wine: Classes to take and books to read and even videos to watch. But nothing beats learning about wines like “sensory evaluation” – the process of using all five of your senses to develop an appreciation for one of the true miracles of nature. Learn to swirl, sniff and taste wine like a true sommelier! Besides enduring wonderful personalities and receiving a nifty Winery U! diploma at the end of class, each participant will get to taste wine, receive printed course materials, additional informational materials, and maybe even a surprise or two? Pre-registration is required and limited to the first 30 people. Cancellation and refund policy is posted on their website. Discounts for purchasing series of classes.
Tamale Class
Saturday, Nov. 7, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., $50
Central Market Cooking School
4821 Broadway St.
Learn to make this San Antonio classic! This hands-on class will have you making masa, cleaning the husks, and assembling fillings including Spicy Pork, Chicken Mole, Black Bean and Corn, and Chocolate.
First Ever Bin 555 Holiday Food Challenge
Saturday, Nov. 7, 4 p.m., $5 suggested donation
Bin 555 (in Artisan’s Alley)
555 West Bitters
Who makes the best holiday dish of all? You decide! The highly anticipated Chef “smackdown”, hosted by Chef Jason Dady of Bin 555 will include restaurant contestants from Bin 555, Two Bros. BBQ Market, Tre Trattoria, The Lodge at Castle Hills and La Hacienda Los Barrios. Each team will prepare sample holiday-inspired dishes in a contest that promises to be tasty and exciting. Event guests will enjoy tastings of all of the dishes and then cast their ballot for “Best Dish.” 100% of the proceeds benefit the American Heart Association. The event is part of 2009 Holiday Light Up celebration at Artisan’s Alley. For more information, call (210) 494-3226.
An Evening of Giving, Texas Style
Saturday, Nov. 7, 5 – 9 p.m., $25 presale, $35 at the door
The Fairmount
401 S. Alamo
This fundraiser for Heart of Texas Lab Rescue will have you sample exotic wines, wild root beer, delightful beer, wonderful iced tea and snack on amazing delectables. Special room rates for those wishing to spend the night. Artist Sheila Wedegis will be in attendance and a silent auction will be offered. Some of the donors include Scenic Loop Cafe, Freetail Brewing, Cowgirl Granola, and Whole Foods. For more information and tickets, see http://ow.ly/t8t0.
Under Dog Wine Merchants Wine Dinner
Saturday, Nov. 7, 7p.m., $59 plus tax and gratuity
Liberty Bistro
200 N. Seguin Ave
New Braunfels, TX 78130
Enjoy this six course dinner with wine pairings. The first offering is Shrimp, Avocado, Turnips and Apples in Citrus Vinaigrette, served with Kalefely Riesling. The next course is Tuscan White Bean Soup, matched with Albino Pinot Grigio. The third course is Center-cut Porkchop with Bleu Cheese Cream Sauce, paired with Chockstone Shiraz. The following course is Braised Beef Short Ribs over Polenta, served with Cardinal Zinfandel. The fifth course is Chicken Chaussier over Celery, served with Canis Major Cabernet. The final course is Liberty Bistro Holiday Pie. For reservations, call (830) 624-7876. www.mylibertybistro.com
1st Annual Backyard Smokeoff
Sunday, Nov. 8
Sunken Gardens
Dozens of teams will compete for the bragging rights of best smoked meat in San Antonio. The event benefits Arts San Antonio. http://augiesbs.com/smokeoff.asp
Sip, Savor and Shop
Sunday, Nov. 8, 2 p.m., $25
The Shops at La Cantera
The newest event of the NWWFF festival is your guide to what to wear to some of the events and so much more. Enjoy wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, shopping discounts and gifts. They are also highlighting your Festival Fashion Guide as well as cooking demos, live entertainment and door prizes. http://nwwff.org
Sustainable Food Center Chef Series: Autumn Harvest
Sunday, Nov. 8, 6 p.m., $150
La Condesa
400-A W 2nd Street
Austin, TX 78701
Ingredients from Austin Farmers’ Market will be transfored into a multi-course tasting menu from La Condesa, Uchi, Trio and more. Participating chefs include: Rene Ortiz, executive chef at La Condesa; Tyson Cole, executive chef at Uchi; Shawn Cirkiel, executive chef at Parkside; Todd Duplechan, executive chef at Trio; Jesse Griffiths of Dai Due Supper Club; and Laura Sawicki, pastry chef at La Condesa. All proceeds benefit Sustainable Food Center. For more information and tickets, please visit www.sfcchefseries.eventbrite.com.
