MONDAY, JANUARY 9
Picnic: The Restaurant, 14-25 Plaza Rd N, Fair Lawn (BYO), will host a four-course Game Night with fresh game from D’Artagnan Gourmet Foods. Seatings are at 6 and 8:30 PM; $85 plus tip. Proceeds will benefit Rebuilding Together Bergen County Reservations. Call 201-796-2700.
The Epicurean Society of Southern New Jersey will host a dinner at Buddakan, 1 Atlantic Ocean (Caesar’s Pier), Atlantic City. 6:30 PM; $45, members $30. A $5 gratuity will be added to the admission price. For reservations, call Ed Blake at 609-645-3330.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11
A class taught by chef/restaurateur Marilyn Schlossbach, From Land to Sea: Cooking With Marilyn, will be held at Langosta Lounge, Third Ave Pavilion, 1000 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park, to benefit the Boys and Girls Club. 6:30 PM; $50 including dinner. Call 732-455-3275 or e-mail [email protected].
A five-course scotch tasting dinner will be held at the Pluckemin Inn, 359 Rt 206 S, Bedminster. For more information and reservations, call 908-658-9292.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14
Round one of the Ultimate Chef Bergen County competition will be held at Chef Central, 240 Rt 17 N, Paramus, with Laurie Cera of 5 Seasons Bistro and Joe Macri of Elan Catering. The winner will compete on January 28 against the winner of round two, which will be held on January 21. 11 AM; free. For more information, call 201-576-0100.
A wine tasting led by George Staikos featuring six great South American wines, with empanadas matched with the wines, will be held at the Grape Escape Winery, 12 Stults Rd, Dayton. 4 to 6 PM; $85, or $160 a couple. For reservations, call 609-409-9463.
Shut Up, Sit Down & Eat, a night of comedy that includes a four-course buffet dinner, a glass of wine, a wine tasting, a comedy show, and a DJ with dancing after the comedy show, will be held at Valenzano Winery, 1320 Old Indian Mills Rd, Shamong. 7 PM; $60. For tickets, call 609-268-6731.
Latin Night featuring Ruffino wines of Italy will be celebrated at the Mill at Spring Lake Heights, 101 Old Mill Rd, Spring Lake Heights, with a four-course dinner, wine, and dancing for $49.95 plus tax and gratuities. Call 732-449-1800 for reservations.
A Winter Wine Festival will be held at Renault Winery, 72 N Bremen Ave, Egg Harbor City. Noon to 4:30 PM; advance tickets can be purchased at www.renaultwinery.com for $10, or tickets can be purchased at the door for $15. A Winter Wine Festival hotel package is available for $139 plus taxes and includes two tickets to the festival, an overnight stay at the Tuscany House Hotel on Saturday night, and Sunday brunch at the Gourmet restaurant. For more information and reservations, call 609-965-2111.