The Art of Italian Cuisine at the Montclair Culinary Academy
Saturday, November 3, 6 PM
It’s a four-course Italian feast—and you’re making it. The Montclair Culinary Academy (MCA) in Upper Montclair is hosting a BYO “Sip & Cook” on “The Art of Italian Cuisine.” The cooking is guided by professionals at the MCA and your inspiration will be fueled by a glass or two of good wine (they recommend sparkling or, if you have the cash, a Super Tuscan). The night’s menu goes from clams oreganata to rosemary-crusted grilled lamb chops to creamy polenta and the iconic Italian dessert, zabaglione. Tickets are $100. The Montclair Culinary Academy, 550 Valley Road, Upper Montclair; 973-498-8436
Cork & Fork for a Cause
Thursday, November 1, 5:30–8:30 PM
The Morris Museum will host the second annual “Cork & Fork for a Cause,” a food and wine event sponsored by the Jo-Ann Danzis Foundation. All proceeds go to pancreatic cancer research at Morristown Medical Center’s Carol G. Simon Cancer Center. (Last year’s event raised more than $46,000.) The night’s menu is provided by chefs including Craig Shelton of Ryland Inn, Paul Viggiano, Albert Schenc, and Tim Schafer. There will also be a silent auction and a wine pull. General Admission starts at $80, but there are serious sponsorship opportunities, too. The Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown; 908-696-8573
Food, Wine, & Maybe Tuscany for Parkinson’s Disease Research
Friday, November 2, 5:30–8:30 PM
The “Maybe Tuscany” here refers to a seven-day stay at your choice of Tuscan villa, the big prize of the night’s $50 raffle, but the bigger prize is money spent on a good cause. The Parkinson Alliance has put together a night of food and wine tasting (and yes, maybe Tuscany) at the Princeton Marriott to benefit Parkinson’s research. Among area restaurants participating are Antimo’s Italian Kitchen, Bell’s Tavern, Teresa Caffe, Entrata, Cross Culture, 1911 SmokeHouse Bar-B-Que and more. Tickets are $100, and May May Ali, a social worker, public speaker, and the oldest daughter of Muhammed Ali, will be the night’s speaker. Princeton Marriott at Forrestal, 100 College Road East, Princeton; 800-579-8440
Flemington Restaurant Week
Sunday, November 4 – Friday, November 9
You have six days to enjoy this year’s Taste of Flemington, with local area restaurants offering special deals and prix fixe menus for a limited time. Almost 20 restaurants and businesses are participating so far, including places like Theresa’s Café, the Kombucha Bar, Mi Sabor, Bluefish Grill, Capuano, Dolce and 55 Main. As usual for a restaurant week, deals vary by restaurant, so check in before you reserve a table. Locations vary, Flemington.
Giro d’Italia Wine Tasting at Eno Terra
Thursday, November 8, 4—8:30 PM
Here’s a serious lesson in Italian wine in one (presumably delightful) afternoon. Roughly a dozen Italian winemakers will gather at Eno Terra in Kingston to showcase—and sell—their wines. Tickets are $30 and include a menu of snacks and small bites for the afternoon’s tasting, useful to both avoid a buzz and get pointers for any future wine and food pairings you might do. Eno Terra, 4484 Route 27, Kingston; 609-497-1777