Weekly Planner January 20th

Long table image Courtesy of Pizzeria Prima Strada. Wine glass image Courtesy of BC Wine Institute

Lots of food and wine events to beat the January blues…and take heart, February is just around the corner.

Farmer’s Market Saturday January 21st

It may be cold and snowy but nothing keeps the citizens of Victoria from their devotion to the Downtown Public Farmer’s Market. Rain or shine, the market will be happening this Saturday from 11 AM to 3 PM in Market Square. Local products available include fresh and smoked salmon fillets, dried fruit, preserved goods, chocolate, salt, eggs, meat, produce, pasta, perogies, bread, tortillas, salsa, cheese, donuts, and ice cream. www.victoriapublicmarket.com

Long Table Dining Series at Prima Strada January 25^th and 26^th

Each month Prima Strada Bridge Street location celebrates a different region of Italy, creating a delicious menu with their take on the classic dishes of the region. The meal is typically four courses, paired with wines – one part dinner party, one part Italian wine club served up with a healthy dose of laughter. The month the region is Piedmont, one of the great wine regions of Italy and this dinner will feature glasses of Dolcetto d’Alba, Barbera d’Alba and Barbaresco. The menu includes Bagna Cauda with roasted vegetables – a hot anchovy, garlic and butter sauce served over roasted vegetables, Risotto alla Zucca – pumpkin risotto, Bollito Misto – a stew of beef, chicken, pork sausage and vegetables served with salsa verde and Torta di Nocciole – hazelnut torte. http://pizzeriaprimastrada.com/

Dinner begins at 7pm. Seating is limited to 24 each evening and reservations must be made (and paid for) in advance.

Chinese New Year Celebration Dinner January 23^rd – 29^th

Grand Pacific Hotel’s three-course Chinese New Year menu, available during dinner from January 23 – 29, aims to give everyone a joyous and lucky start to the Year of the Dragon. Priced at $38.88 per person, diners can choose to add on specially chosen tea pairings for an additional $8.88, or wine pairings for $28.88. www.hotelgrandpacific.com

Wine Wednesday at Vis a Vis Wine and Charcuterie Bar in Oak Bay

Every Wednesday $20 off all bottles of BC wine – a great excuse for a mid-week outing. www.visavisoakbay.com

Complimentary Whiskey Tasting at Metro Specialty Liquor Store – Tuscany Store location (must RSVP)

Friday, January 20th 4:30-6:00PM

Join Export Manager Joanne Brown for a nosing of a selection of Islay Single Malts from Bruichladdich Distillery. RSVP larry@metroliquor.com (250) 384-9463

Cooking Class options for next week – Learn to Bake or… Meet a Date

Cook Culture Cooking class Quick-breads, cookies and squares with Chef Megan Hennis

January 24^th 6 PM $85.00

In this pastry and baking intro course, explore measuring, mixing and preparing muffins, loaves, scones, cookies and squares.

Learn useful hints to help create tender products using proper mixing techniques, how to be more efficient when baking and also valuable tips on cutting and finishing products. www.cookculture.com

The London Chef cooking class – Speed Cooking – Ages 35 to 50

January 26th, 6:00 – 9:00 $95.00

The London Chef wants to help you take the guess work out of meeting someone new. There is no better way to get to know someone than over great food….

Venture out for an exciting evening of traditional Spanish Tapas and mingling with fun, interesting singles. The evening starts with a glass of sangria and group cooking demonstrations with the Chef at the front. You will then go in groups of two to a cooking station to cook and enjoy a traditional Spanish Tapas with each other. Move through each cooking station cooking and enjoying different tapas with each person. By the end of the evening you will have had a great meal, learned how to cook traditional Spanish Tapas, and had six mini-dates with other fun, interesting singles. www.thelondonchef.com