BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
On Sunday, December 14, get into the holiday spirit at a “Breakfast with Santa” at the Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville. Guests will have the opportunity to meet and take photographs with Santa and delight in the spectacular gingerbread house. Special holiday treat tables for children will feature gingerbread cookie decorating. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or gift card to help brighten the holidays for a New Jersey child with a parent away serving military duty. Your gift will benefit Project Little Soldier. 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM; $39; $20 children 3 to 12, plus tax and gratuity; children under 3 enjoy complimentary breakfast. Reservations: 908-766-0002.
OTHER FOOD EVENTS
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10
THE FEAST OF SEVEN FISHES
Learn how to make marinated fresh anchovies with pickled peppers, clams oregano, garlicky shrimp, cioppino, monkfish and gremolata, quick-braised kale and honey fritters at a Feast of Seven Fishes cooking class that at Heirloom Kitchen, 3853 Rt 516, Old Bridge. 6:30 PM; $100. Reservations: 732-727-9444.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11
BENCHMARK HOLIDAY DINNER
The management company of The Heldrich Hotel and Christopher’s restaurant in New Brunswick, Benchmark Hospitality, will host a holiday dinner at The James Beard House, 167 West 12th Street, New York. 7 PM; $170; members $130. Reservations: 212-627-2308.
DINNER AT ESCAPE MONTCLAIR
Bryan Gregg, chef and owner of Escape, Montclair will welcome chef Ian Kapitan of soon-to-open Old School BBQ and Recess Diner in Toronto for a five-course dinner to benefit the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center of New Jersey. This dinner takes place on the eve of chef Gregg’s James Beard House dinner. 7PM; $68; BYO. Reservations: 973-744-0712.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12
JERSEY WINTER BOUNTY DINNER AT THE JAMES BEARD HOUSE, NYC
A Jersey Winter Bounty dinner will be held at the James Beard House, 167 West 12th St, New York, with Bryan Gregg of Escape, Montclair; Anthony Bucco of 1 Hotel Central Park (opening 2015), NYC; Ian Kapitan of Old School BBQ and Recess Diner (opening 2014), Toronto; Bruce Miller of Mas (farmhouse), NYC; founder Glenn Roberts of Anson Mills, Columbia, SC; pastry chef John Sauchelli Maritime Parc, Jersey City, NJ; and Jonathan White of Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse, Milford. Wines donated by Amanti Vino, Heron Hill Winery, Jean Edwards Cellars, Lieb Cellars and Wilde Farm Wines will be served with this dinner. 7 PM; $170; members $130. Reservations: 212-627-2308.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13
BIG BREW SUSSEX BEER FESTIVAL
Taste over 200 craft beers and have food from 7 gourmet food trucks at the Big Brew Sussex Beer Festival, which will be held at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta; 3 to 8 PM. For information and tickets, visit the event website.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17
VEGAN/GLUTEN FREE CHRISTMAS DINNER
A menu consisting of roasted cauliflower, leeks-and-wild-mushroom gratin, smoked-tomato-infused quinoa & Yukon cakes with mint-pea pesto and crisp kale, oven-roasted haricot vert and asparagus with warm shallot, sun-dried tomato and white-balsamic vinaigrette and lastly a decadent chocolate cake with peppermint chocolate ganache and drunken berries will be taught at Heirloom Kitchen, 3853 Rt 516, Old Bridge. 6:30 PM; $$95. Reservations: 732-727-9444.
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