Ann Arbor food and drink calendar

Saturday

Easy as Pie. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. Come and learn how easy it is to make an all-American dessert - with tips and tricks for the best crust ever, and trouble-shooting for any home mishaps! Menu: All-American apple pie; lemon-blueberry meringue pie; raspberry-rhubarb streusel pie. $65. 734-645-1030.

Gluten Free Tastefest. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Plum Market, 375 North Maple Road, Ann Arbor. We'll be sampling our favorite Gluten Free foods throughout the store so you can add more items to your Gluten Free shopping list! Check out Capie's Candies, Glutenfreeda Burritos, Jessica's Granola, Ethel's Edibles and more. We’ll also have live music from Pato Margetic from noon-4 p.m. No cover charge. 734-827-5000.

Traditional German Kaffeeklatsch. 2:30 p.m. Kempf House Museum, 312 S. Division St., Ann Arbor. Enjoy a traditional German Kaffeeklatsch in the historic Kempf House. This fundraising event in the former home of German-American musicians offers a chance to chat (“Klatsch”) with friends while enjoying tasty homemade German coffeecakes, good coffee, and piano music. $10. Reservations recommended: 734-994-4898.

Spiritual Spaghetti: One Voice Gospel Choir Fundraiser. 6 p.m. St. Paul United Church of Christ, 122 W. Michigan, Saline. The choir prepares and serves a spaghetti dinner followed at 7 p.m. by a program of gospel songs. Also, the choir is joined by the local jazz band Maggie’s Standard Time Band in jazz standards by Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, and others. $15 for food and concert, or $10 for concert only. Children age 11 and under may attend the concert for free. Reservations requested: 734-439-8462.

Learn to Make Fresh Mozzarella. Noon-2:30 p.m. Zingerman's Creamery, 3723 Plaza Drive, Ann Arbor. Come learn with the masters of mozzarella how to stretch your own from-scratch fresh mozzarella at home. They will guide you through the steps to set up the curd from milk and teach you the technique we employ to stretch the rather plain-tasting curds into marvelous mozzarella of your very own. First and third Saturday of each month, September through May. $60 (or $55 if paid in advance). Reservations required at 734-929-0500.

Sunday

Alpine Macaroni and Gemischter Salad with Wendy Mead. 1-2 p.m. Hollander's, 410 N. Fourth Ave., first floor of the Kerrytown Shops, Ann Arbor. This traditional Swiss home-style meal features a tasty macaroni made with a small amount of bacon and raclette cheese in a cream sauce. The Gemischter salad is a 'mixed' salad that will make great use of fresh items from the Kerrytown Farmers’ Market! 416. 734-741-7531.

The Annual Chili & Cornbread Cook-Off: Ann Arbor Democrats. 4-8 p.m. Jame's L. Crawford Elks Lodge #322, 220 Sunset Road, Ann Arbor. Bring family and friends as the area Democrats battle for the honor of top chili and cornbread chef. Taste the entries and pick your favorite. Stop by the Water Hill music festival first and then make your way over to the cook-off for refreshments! $10 in advance or $15 at the door. chilicookoff@annarbordems.ogr www.annarbordems.org.

Country Style Breakfast. 8:30-11 a.m. St. Mary's Catholic Parish, 10601 Dexter Pinckney Road, Pinckney. St. Mary’s Men’s Club in Pinckney is sponsoring its monthly Country Style Breakfast at the Parish. We have the best menu in the area which includes: fried or scrambled eggs, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, French toast, pancakes, quiche, ham, pork sausage and, of course, our renowned waffle station. Musical guests and multi-chance raffles add to the fun. Cost is a free-will donation. Proceeds will be used to help update the Parish Religious Education Resources. 734-878-3161.

Tours of the Creamery. 2 p.m. Zingerman's Creamery, 3723 Plaza Drive, Ann Arbor. Cheesemaker and managing partner John Loomis leads the whey and gives the inside scoop on how they make artisan cheeses and old-fashioned gelato (that’s Italian ice cream). $5. You will receive a $5 coupon to spend in The Cheese Shop. 734-929-0500.

Monday

Making Great Smoothies with Amanda Klain. Noon-1 p.m. Hollander's, 410 N. Fourth Ave., first floor of the Kerrytown Shops, Ann Arbor. Smoothies are an easy and delicious way to nourish our bodies with fresh fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens. Learn simple recipes and ideas that anyone can make in their own kitchen. Guaranteed to inspire healthy habits, creativity, and a new zest for smoothie-making. $16. 734-741-7531.

Compassionate Confections. 6-10 p.m. Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. Vegan desserts can not only taste amazing, but can also actually be good for you. Learn about new ingredients used in the baking world and great new recipes to please a crowd. Menu: Chocolate orange ginger cupcakes; peach raspberry crumble; citrus berry cheesecake; apricot almond quinoa chews. $65. 734-645-1030.

Cocktail class: A Tale of Three Whisk(e)ys. 7:30 p.m. Ravens Club, 207 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. Hosted by Tammy's Tastings, this is the next installment of Tammy’s monthly cocktail class series. You'll meet Rye — the American old-timer, he's dry and spicy. Next up is Bourbon, a smooth talker with a fantastic Kentucky accent. And then there's Scotch — one day he's sweet as toffee, the next day he smells like a smoky ashtray, but you love him anyway. All have a role to play in cocktails, and we'll compare and contrast. $35. Register at http://www.tammystastings.com/shop.

Open dance and wine tasting. 6 p.m.-close. Passport Restaurant and Lounge, 3776 S. State St., Ann Arbor. Open dancing and free wine tasting from 6 p.m. to close. No cover charge; price of purchases. 734-222-1111.

Milan Senior Nutrition Program. 11:45 a.m. Milan Senior & Community Activity Center, 45 Neckel Court, Milan. In partnership with the Washtenaw County Senior Nutrition Program, they offer a nutritionally balanced meal three afternoons a week: Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. There is a suggested donation of $2.50 for anyone who is 60 years or older and a fee of $5 for anyone under the age of 60. They do ask for 48 hour advanced reservations. Call or stop by the office. 734-439-1549.

Tuesday

Lunch is Served. Noon-1 p.m. Turner Senior Resource Center, 2401 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor. Repeats every Tuesday and Friday. Reservations are required with two days prior notice. Suggested donation for those over 60 years of age is $2.50, for all others, $5. Call 734-998-9353 for reservations.

Wednesday

Dining for Dollars to benefit the HIV/AIDS Resource Center. 6 p.m. Zingerman's Roadhouse, 2501 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor. More than 100 supporters from around the community attend this highly anticipated event which includes a silent auction, strolling raffle, and fabulous dinner prepared by none other than Chef Alex Young - winner of Best Chef in the Great Lakes Region from the James Beard Foundation. The HIV/AIDS Resource Center, commonly referred to as HARC, is a private non-profit organization founded in 1986 by a group of dedicated volunteers in order to provide HIV services to the people of the following Michigan Counties: Washtenaw, Jackson, Livingston and Lenawee. Today, HARC is the only comprehensive AIDS service organization providing HIV/AIDS prevention, education, outreach, and direct care for people affected by HIV/AIDS in this Michigan four-county area. HARC's mission is to provide HIV related services to the community through compassionate direct care, prevention and outreach activities. $125 per ticket (discounts for large group purchases). http://hivaidsresource.org/dining-for-dollars/.

2012 Spring Oyster & Beer Dinner. 6 p.m. Real Seafood Co., 341 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. Unlimited, fresh, coldwater oysters and select micro-brewed beer from Bell’s brewery. Salad, entrée and dessert are included: Summer salad, ruby trout served atop braised cabbage with apple bacon and pistachio butter; rhubarb cobbler a la mode. $64.95 per person (tax and gratuity included). Reservations required: 888- 456-3463.

Gluten-Free Gourmet. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. Are you living with a gluten allergy or intolerance? Are you trying to navigate the gluten-free world and are a little overwhelmed in the kitchen? These classes are designed to help you out with education and plenty of new ideas! Menu: Cornmeal pancakes with macerated berries; millet oat bread BLTs with pesto and avocado; baked vegetable chips and crunchy chickpeas; Chardonnay-poached fruit with Chantilly cream. $65. 734-645-1030.

Wednesday Evening Farmers Market. 4:30-8:30 p.m. Ann Arbor Farmers Market, 315 Detroit St., Ann Arbor. Join the Ann Arbor Farmers Market on May 2 for the kickoff of the second season of the Wednesday Evening Farmers Market. You'll find local produce and food from some of your favorite farmers and vendors from the Saturday markets, plus many innovative new vendors. There will be live music, food carts, and throughout the season a non-profit sponsored beer and wine garden, as well as educational food demos and more. Buy your groceries from local farmers and enjoy yourself while you're at it at the Wednesday Evening Farmers Market. The evening market runs from 4:30-8:30 p.m. each Wednesday, May 2-Sept. 26. Free admission; price of purchases. 734-794-6255 or www.a2gov.org/market.

Wednesday Wine Tasting. 6:30 p.m. Paesano's Italian Restaurant, 3411 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor. This informal wine tasting allows patrons to sample five up and coming wines from Italy. Joined by one of Paesano's knowledgeable wine purveyors, the staff creates tasty appetizers to accompany the bold flavors. $25. www.paesanosannarbor.com.

Thursday, May 10

Beer Tasting: Bocks & Trappists. 7-9 p.m. Arbor Brewing Co., 114 E. Washington, Ann Arbor. This is a chance to sample and learn about more than two dozen bock, doppelbocks, and Belgian Trappist ales. Also, a drawing for beer-related prizes. The price of admission includes unlimited beer sampling and a German appetizer buffet. $25 in advance, $30 (if available) at the door. 734-213-1393.

Chinese Regional Cooking Lessons. 7-9:30 p.m. Turner Senior Resource Center, 2401 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor. A series of cooking lessons will be presented by local restaurant chefs and special food experts. All proceeds go to Food Gatherers. Enjoy learning to make healthful and tasty Chinese food. May 10: H.W. Tang teaches you to make RuYi Rolls — making rolls with your favorite food. “RuYi” symbolizes power and good fortune in Chinese culture. $25 per lesson ($100 for all 5 lessons). A2casaa@gmail.com.

The Baker’s Pantry: Sweeteners 101 with People’s Food Co-op Head Baker, Keegan Rodgers. 7-8:30 p.m. Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tearoom, 114 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. Learn everything you wanted to know about sugar but were too overwhelmed to ask. PFC’s expert baker in residence will share the history and chemistry behind all types of sweeteners used in baking; different types of sugars, honey, maple syrup, and others, as well as their qualities and applications for various recipes. Free. www.peoplesfood.coop.

Thursday Night Rush Hour Relief at the Wine Bar. 5-8:30 p.m. Cranbrook Whole Foods, 990 W. Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor, at the wine bar. Each Thursday evening, experts lead an exploration of wine, cheese and appetizers. This week’s topic: Sparkling wines. 734-997-7500.

To submit events for this calendar, e-mail calendar@annarbor.com.