Today

How Do You Cook That? 5:30 p.m. Cranbrook Whole Foods, 990 W. Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor. Join Whole Foods for a primer in how to cook seafood. Free. 734-997-7500.

Scrumptious Scones and Buttery Biscuits. 6-9 p.m. Zingerman's Bakehouse, 3711 Plaza Drive, Ann Arbor. Learn the tips to flaky and tender scones and biscuits. $75. 734-761-7255.

Chinese New Year: Dumplings with Frances Kai-Hwa Wang. 6-8 p.m. Ann Arbor Whole Foods, 3135 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor. Learn about the foods and traditions of Chinese New Year. Make Chinese dumplings and find out what they tell you about the coming Year of the Dragon. Pre-registration required at www.aareced.com or 734-994-2300 ext. 53203.

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

4th Annual Askinosie Chocolate Tasting. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Zingerman’s Events on Fourth, 415 N. Fifth Ave. in Kerrytown, Ann Arbor. Shawn Askinosie is our favorite criminal defense lawyer turned chocolate maker. Shawn will share his story, as we taste sweet, savory, and drinkable treats made from his chocolate, cocoa, and nibs, and guide us in a tasting of his bean-to-bar chocolates. $40. 734-663-3400.

Friday

Bavarian Baguettes- a.k.a. German Pretzels. 1-4 p.m. Zingerman's Bakehouse, 3711 Plaza Drive, Ann Arbor. Make traditional German style soft pretzel sticks made with lard and lye. $75. 734-761-7255.

French Sauces with Brigitte Romero. 4-5 p.m. Hollander's, 410 N. Fourth Ave., Kerrytown Shops, Ann Arbor. Learn how to make the famous Béchamel White Sauce and explore its variations (gratin, seafood, mushrooms, cheese). Also, discover the usage of shallots to create delicious and simple sauces to pair with fish, as well as a red wine sauce for meats. $16. 734-741-7531.

Beer Class: Value Beers for the New Year. Cranbrook Whole Foods, 990 W. Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor. Join beer expert Jimmy for an exploration of great-tasting beers that are easy on the pocket book. $6. 734-997-7500.

Date Night! 6:30-10 p.m. Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. Introducing the first of our Date Night series. Bring a special someone and have some fun in the kitchen cooking. Feel free to bring a bottle of wine to enjoy with your meal. Menu: Roasted Beet, Blood Orange & Fennel Salad; Lobster Mac ’n’ Cheese with Seasonal Vegetables; Butterscotch Pots de Creme with Sea Salt. $130 per pair. 734-645-1030.

Saturday

Herb Power. 10 a.m.-noon. University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Road, Ann Arbor. Celebrate the soothing, warming, exhilarating power of herbs and potpourris as you make herbal teas, sachets, and more. Fee includes activities and materials. $5. Preregistration encouraged at 734-647-7600.

Rat Fest 2012. 2-5 p.m. Corner Brewery, 720 Norris St., Ypsilanti. We will offer over 30 brews from a variety of local brewers. Rat Fest attendees will be able to vote for their favorite overall beer, group of beers and group theme. The Rat Pad to receive the most votes will be crowned King or Queen Rat. Closed to the general public during the event. Pre-sale tickets $25 before Jan. 27; $30 at the door. Includes entry, beer sampling, appetizers, and commemorative tasting glass. 734-480-2739.

Eat, Meet, & Be Cherry. 2-4 p.m. Cherry Republic, 223 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. Tasting from Quarter Bistro. Free. 734-585-5231.

Chef’s Table. 7-10 p.m. Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. Join us for an interactive evening where we do the cooking right in front of you with the area’s finest local ingredients - sourced from our local farms and markets. You will receive a recipe packet to take home with you detailing the evening’s entire menu. Menu: TBD. You may bring wine to enjoy with your meal. $55 per person. 734-645-1030.

Sunday

Hands-on: Hearty Indian Lunch with Smita Govil. Noon-2 p.m. Hollander's, 410 N. Fourth Ave., Kerrytown Shops, Ann Arbor. Work alongside the chef as you prepare a main dish of lentil spice curry and side dishes of authentic okra with ajawain seeds and rice with cumin. For dessert, Raiga, a yogurt dish with tomato and potato cubes will be made. Class limit is 8. $65. 734-741-7531.

Who You Calling a Cream Puff? 1-5 p.m. Zingerman's Bakehouse, 3711 Plaza Drive, Ann Arbor. Learn the history and basic techniques of creating sweet and savory pastries from pate choux (pot-a-shoo) dough. Make your own dough and create éclairs and cream puffs. $100. www.bakewithzing.com.

Tours of the Creamery. 2 p.m. Zingerman's Creamery, 3723 Plaza Drive, Ann Arbor. Cheesemaker and managing partner John Loomis gives the scoop on how they make artisan cheeses and old-fashioned gelato. $5. 734-929-0500.

Monday

Puff Pastry 101. 6-10 p.m. Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. Join us for an evening learning the very specific techniques for making this one-of-a-kind dough! The menu will include Palmier, Apple Tarte Tatin and Savory Puff Twists. $65. www.annarborcooks.com.

Milan Senior Nutrition Program. 11:45 a.m. Milan Senior & Community Activity Center, 45 Neckel Court. A nutritionally balanced meal offered on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. 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. 48-hour advance reservations. Call or stop by the office. 734-439-1549.

Tuesday

Beer release party: Jackhammer. 6-8 p.m. Arbor Brewing Co., 114 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor. Beer samples and light snacks. Free for Arbor and Corner mug club members; $10 for guests. 734-213-1393.

Hands-on: Neapolitan Style Cuisine with Francesca Giarraffa. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Hollander's, 410 N. Fourth Ave., Kerrytown Shops, Ann Arbor. Make Braciole, thin slices of sirloin rolled with pinenuts, parsley and garlic, simmered in a red wine tomato sauce and served with homemade gnocchi. Umbrian style fresh pasta dressed in an Italian sausage ragu will also be featured. $65. 734-741-7531.

Oat Power! 6 p.m. Cranbrook Whole Foods, 990 W. Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor. Susan will demonstrate great tasting breakfast dishes that feature oats, as well as a favorite oatmeal cookie. $5. To register, stop by the customer service desk or call 734-997-7500

7th annual African American Dinner: In Search of My Father’s Kitchen. 7 p.m. Zingerman’s Roadhouse, 2501 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor. Chef Alex Young presents a traditional African meal, and University of Illinois English professor Audrey Petty reads her poetry of the African American community and tells stories of her father’s Northern migrations. $45 (beverages not included). Reservations required. 734-663-3663.

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

Wednesday Wine Tasting. 6:30 p.m. Paesano's Italian Restaurant, 3411 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor. Sample five up and coming wines from Italy, accompanied by appetizers. $25. www.paesanosannarbor.com.

Feb. 2

Italian Cookies. 5:30-9:30 p.m. Zingerman’s Bakehouse, 3711 Plaza Drive, Ann Arbor. Learn the basics of making four traditional Italian cookies: biscotti, pignoli, amaretti, and ricchiarelli. You'll leave with four recipes and four dozen cookies you made in class. $100. www.bakewithzing.com.

Terroir of Pinot Noir Night Dinner with Brian Loring. 6:30-8 p.m. Vinology, 101 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. Taste the qualities of vineyard-site through five eye-opening courses with Brian Loring. The Loirng Wine Co. produces vineyard specific Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for guests tasting delight. Seating is limited; pricing varies. 734-222-9841.

Thursday Night Rush Hour Relief at the Wine Bar. 5-8:30 p.m. Cranbrook Whole Foods, 990 W. Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor. An exploration of wine, cheese and appetizers. This week’s topic: Sauvignon Blanc. 734-997-7500.

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