9/17 and 9/18: WineFest 2011 will be held at Valenzano Winery, 1090 Rt 206, Shamong, with samplings of more than 100 wines from six NJ wineries, plus food from local restaurants, a cheese tasting, and more. Noon to 5 PM; one-day tickets $15, $20 at the gate; children free. For more information, call 609-268-6731.
9/18: Matthew Pierone, chef/owner of Gourmet Cafe, 136 Baldwin Rd, Parsippany, will be serving a family-style meal including salad, pasta, chicken, fish, potatoes, vegetable, dessert, coffee, tea, and soft drinks, which will benefit hurricane victims in the Lake Hiawatha section of Parsippany. Seatings at noon and 2:30 PM; $50; communal seating; BYO. For reservations, call 973-316-0088.
9/18: Eno Terra, 4484 Rt 27, Kingston, will host its annual Taste of Place feast to benefit the Stony Brook Millstone Watershed Association. This event will feature fresh-picked items from Eno Terra’s farm and other farms in the area, plus beer, wine, and activities for children. 2 to 6 PM, rain or shine; $49, $15 per child (children under five free). Call 609-497-1777 for reservations.
9/18: Boulevard Five72, Kenilworth, will host a farm dinner at Dreyer’s Farm, 831 Springfield Ave, Cranford, to benefit the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative (http://sarcomahelp.org). 3:30 PM; $125 plus tax and gratuity. For tickets, call 908-709-1200.
9/19: A tasting featuring the wines of Antinori will be held at Undici Taverna Rustica, 11 West River Rd, Rumson; $95. For time information and reservations, call 732-842-3880.
9/20: A book signing with Bobby Flay, author of Bobby Flay’s Bar Americain Cookbook, will be held at Williams Sonoma, Mall at Short Hills, 1200 Morris Tpk, Short Hills; noon to 2 PM.
9/20: A Chateau Ste. Michelle wine dinner will be held at McCormick and Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, 175 Riverside Sq, Hackensack. 7 to 10 PM; $70 plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 201-968-9410.
9/21: A Last Call for BBQ: Southern BBQ class will be taught by Chef Jesse Jones at 11 Village Plaza, South Orange. 6:30 to 9 PM; $45. To register, e-mail [email protected] or call 973-580-2203. To make a payment with a credit card, call Terrence Richards at 973-761-8777.
9/22: A Johnnie Walker tasting, which includes a one-ounce pour of the red, black, green, gold, and blue labels, will be held at Zylo, W Hotel, 255 River St, Hoboken. 6:30 to 8:30 PM; $49 all-inclusive. For reservations, call 201-253-2500.
9/22: An old-fashioned lobster/clam bake will be held at the Park Steakhouse, 151 Kinderkamack Rd, Park Ridge. 6:30 to 11 PM; $75 including wine, beer, and cocktails. For reservations, call 201-930-1300.
9/22: A Decorating Chocolates class taught by Diane Pinder will be held at Middlesex Community College, 2600 Woodbridge Ave, Edison. 6:30 to 9:30 PM; $25. To register, call 732-906-2556.
9/22: A sheep cheese and Spanish wine tasting will be held at Valley Shepherd Creamery, 50 Fairmount Rd, Long Valley. 7 to 9:30 PM; $59. For reservations, call 908-876-3200 ext 25.
9/22: A Rombauer Vineyards wine dinner sponsored by Gary’s Wine and Marketplace will be held at Vine Restaurant, 95 Morristown Rd (Rt 202), Bernardsville. 7 to 10 PM; $95 all-inclusive. For more information and reservations, call Gary’s Wine and Marketplace at 973-633-3900.
9/22: A four-course M. Chapoutier autumn wine dinner will be held at the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern, 1 East Franklin Tpk, Ho-Ho-Kus. 7 PM; $79 plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, call Kathleen at 201-445-4115.
9/22: Chefs Michael Weisshaupt, John Benjamin, and Florian Wehrli; sommelier Susanne Lerescu; and wine director Robby Younes, all from Crystal Springs Resort, Hamburg, will present a Rare Italian Wine dinner at the James Beard House, 167 W 12th St, New York City. 7 PM; $205, James Beard Foundation members $155. For reservations, call 212-627-2308.
9/23: Dinner, dessert, and dancing will be held at the Sea Gulls’ Nest, Sandy Hook, to benefit Clean Ocean Action, an organization that works to protect and cleanse the ocean. 6 to 10 PM; $125 ($100 before Labor Day). For more information and tickets, log on to www.cleanoceanaction.org.
9/23: An Antinori Italian wine dinner will be held at Steakhouse 85, 85 Church St, New Brunswick. 7:30 PM; $85 plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 732-247-8585.
9/23 and 9/24: The Taste of Montclair Harvest Festival to benefit the Human Needs Food Pantry of Montclair will be held in the Immaculate Conception parking lot, Park St and Cottage Pl, Montclair. For more information and tickets, log on to www.thetasteofmontclair.com.
9/24: A Farm to Table culinary experience and wine tasting sponsored by Eat and Drink for a Reason: Philanthropy for Foodies will be held at 17 Highlander Dr, Scotch Plains, to benefit the Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation. 7 to 11 PM; $150. For tickets, log on to www.philanthropyforfoodies.org or e-mail [email protected].
9/25: To celebrate thirteen years in business, Andre’s Restaurant & Wine Boutique, 188 Spring St, Newton, will host a thirteen-course anniversary dinner. Seatings from 4 to 9 PM; $100. For reservations, call 973-300-4192.
9/25: The Epicurean Palette will be held at Grounds for Sculpture, 18 Fairgrounds Rd, Hamilton. 1 to 4 PM, rain or shine; $110, members $99. VIP tickets are $350 and include a special tour of Seward Johnson’s studio; a meet, greet, and treat with culinary experts; and more. For tickets, call 609-586-0616.
9/26: A participation cooking class, Fall Fruit Desserts, taught by Suzanne Lowery will be held at Kings Cooking Studio, 778 Morris Tpk, Short Hills. 6:30 to 9:30 PM; $55. To register, call 973-258-4009.
9/28 and 9/29: A South African wine tasting paired with food will be held at High Street Grill, 64 High St, Mount Holly. 6:30 to 9:30 PM; $35. For reservations, call 609-265-9199.
9/29: A free demo, Q&A, and book signing with Rocco DiSpirito will be held at Chef Central, Paramus Towne Square, 240 Rt 17 N, Paramus; 6:30 PM. For more information, call 201-576-0100.
9/30: An Oktoberfest beer dinner will be held at Steakhouse 85, 85 Church St, New Brunswick. 7:30 PM; $70 plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 732-247-8585.
10/1: A cooking class, Chef Paul Drew’s Big Night, will be held at Phillips Seafood, Pier Shops at Caesars, 1 Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic City. 11:30 AM; $65 including a chef demo, wine, and lunch. For reservations, call 609-348-2273 or log on to www.phillipsseafood.com.
10/3: A dinner, lecture, and tasting featuring the wines of legendary Barolo producer Paolo Scavino, with winemaker Elisa Scavino, will be held at Undici Taverna Rustica, 11 West River Rd, Rumson. 6:30 PM; $99. For reservations, call 732-842-3880.
10/3: A Louisiana Style dinner will be presented at the James Beard House, 167 W 12th St, New York City, by Chef Andrew Araneo, owner of Drew’s Bayshore Bistro in Keyport. Wines will be paired with the dinner, including, for the main course, the 2009 Debiase Wines Fritchen Vineyard Pinot Noir from Sonoma, produced by Thomas DeBiase III, who grew up in New Jersey (www.debiasewines.com). 7 PM; $170, James Beard Foundation members $130. For reservations, call 212-627-2308.
10/5: A participation cooking class, Special Occasion Dinner, taught by Suzanne Lowery will be held at Kings Cooking Studio, 778 Morris Tpk, Short Hills. 6:30 to 9:30 PM; $55. To register, call 973-258-4009.
10/6: The 8th Annual Gourmet Garden, Food, and Wine event by the Zonta Club of Trenton will be held at Hamilton Manor, 30 Rt 156, Hamilton, to benefit the Teal Tea Foundation, which supports ovarian cancer research and awareness. 6 to 9 PM; $50 in advance, $65 at the door. For tickets, call 609-658-1371; e-mail [email protected] for additional information.
10/6: A Riedel Wine Glass Tasting Experience with Maximilian Riedel, hosted by Gary’s Wine and Marketplace, will be held at the Park Avenue Club, 184 Park Ave, Florham Park, to benefit local charities through the Park Avenue Foundation. 6 to 8 PM; $120. For more information and reservations, call Gary’s Wine and Marketplace at 973-633-3900.
10/7: A four-course German beer dinner will be held at the Mad Batter, 19 Jackson St, Cape May, sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities. 7:30 PM; $65. For reservations, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278.
10/8 and 10/9: More than 200 wines will be available for tasting at the Garden State Wine Growers Association Wine Festival at the Cape May Ferry Terminal, Cape May. Noon to 5 PM; $25, or $40 for both days. For tickets, log on to www.newjerseywines.com or call 800-643-3779.
10/10: A demonstration cooking class taught by Arthur Schwartz will be held at Kings Cooking Studio, 778 Morris Tpk, Short Hills. 6:30 to 9:30 PM; $85. To register, call 973-258-4009.
10/15: The Cape May Winery and Vineyard, 711 Townbank Rd, Cape May, will serve a five-course harvest dinner catered by the Washington Inn, Cape May. 6 PM; $75. Call 609-884-1169 for reservations.