COOK’S CALENDAR: Dine Out for Life; wine tasting; bee keeping and more

Sign up for a CSA! Community Supported Agriculture shares are available for purchase from area farms. Each farm site will have different prices/sizes/drop-off sites, so check them out to see which is best for you. Typically, a share will consist of a box of vegetables and/or fruit grown on site, but other forms of farm products (meats and cheeses) might be available. Here are some local CSAs: City Roots, cityroots.org/csa/; Pinckney’s Produce (also delivers to USC-Columbia campus), www.pinckneysproduce.com/csa/; Brown Box Veggies (gathers from area farms), www.brownboxveggies.com; and Gruber Family CSA Farm, gruber-csa-farm.com.

Have a culinary adventure... or two. Carol Papalestos is organizing culinary tours to Ikaria, Greece, in July with 7-night, all-inclusive island packages starting at $970/person, double occupancy (international air fare and optional excursions are extra). Information at ambrosiasc.com or email carol@ambrosiasc.com. Or head to the Piedmont region of Italy with Carlo Zarri for a 7-night stay at Hotel San Carlo. Experience the food and wine of the region, take cooking classes, and excursions to Milan, Torino, Barbaresco and Barolo and the coastal town of Alessio, $2,400/person for land package (airfare extra). Information at Let’s Cook Culinary Studio, letscookculinary.com, (803) 348-5874.

Dine Out for Life, April 28 to support the South Carolina HIV/AIDS Council. Have lunch or dinner at participating restaurants and 20-25% of each diner’s bill will be donated to SC HIV/AIDS to make it possible for the agency to continue offering fress services to the community. Participating restaurants include Bluefin Seafood Restaurant & Pub, Papa Gios Pizzeria & Restaurant, Tombo Grille, The Food Gallery, Scoopy Doo Gelato Shop, Rosso Trattoria Italia, Drip, Deli “Say No More,” Gervais & Vine, The Whig, Bourbon, Nicky’s Pizzeria, Pita’s, Yesterday’s, Lamb’s Bread Vegan Cafe and Pawley’s Front Porch.

Wine Tasting at Riverbanks Botanical Garden, April 29.The annual Wine Tasting at Riverbanks Botanical Garden invites wine novices and enthusiasts alike to sip a variety of domestic and imported wines in one of the nation’s most beautiful and inspiring public gardens. Listen to live jazz, sample light bites from local restaurants and gab about grapes with wine experts. Proceeds support ongoing conservation and education efforts at Riverbanks. Advance tickets are $45 for Riverbanks members and $55 for the general public. Any remaining tickets will be $65 the day of the event. For more information, visit www.riverbanks.org.

Meet Paula Deen, 7 p.m. May 4 at Barnes & Noble, Midtown at Forest Acres, 3400 Forest Dr. Get her latest book, Paula Deen Cuts the Fat: 250 Favorite Recipes All Lightened Up

SC Farmer Resource Rodeo, 9:30 a.m-3:30 p.m. May 5 at SC State Farmers Market, Phillips Market Center, 3501 Charleston Hwy. For farmers and those interested in learning about what resources are available to farmers in South Carolina. Representatives from USDA, SC Dept. of Agriculture, SC Forestry Commission, Clemson, Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, Midlands Food Alliance, Lowcountry Local First, SC Farm Bureau and more. Tickets $20, includes lunch, or free for current participants of Clemson Extension’s New & Beginning Farmer Program, available at eventbrite.com.

Rosewood Crawfish Festival, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. May 7. Enjoy your share of 10,000 lbs of crawfish, 25 food vendors, 4 stages of live entertainment, over 40 arts and crafts vendors, carnival rides, Crossfit exhibitions, the 5K Crawdaddy Dash Run and more. Admission $10/advance, $15/gate, food/beverages not included. Come early for crawfish. rosewoodcrawfishfest.com. 2700 Rosewood Drive.

Wines of Summer Tasting, 5-7 p.m. May 7 at Vino Garage, 2327 Main St. Sample and purchase reds and whites that are perfect for summertime events. (803) 834-3392

South Carolina Poultry Festival, May 12-14 in Batesburg-Leesville. Enjoy a day of crafts, music, car shows, and, of course, chicken! Enter the cornhole and/or volleyball tournaments or try your recipe in the World’s Best Chicken Cooking Contest. Information at www.SCPoultryFestival.com.

Victorian Tea Party at Seibels House & Garden, 2-3:30 p.m. May 15. Learn about Victorian customs, including calling cards and the language of the fan, children’s crafts include herb sachets and paper dolls. Reservations recommended, Historic Columbia members $7/adult, $11/youth; non-members $9/adult, $13/youth. More information at historiccolumbia.org

Drink Pink Rose Festival, noon-4 p.m. May 15 at City Roots. This Farm to Table Event Co. event will feature close to 100 rose wines with food prepared by Kristian Niemi and friends and live jazz. On site wine store will be selling the wines you taste and taking orders for pick-up. Tickets $48.47/person with $5 of every ticket going to Historic Columbia’s project of the care and growth of Herbemont grapes. Information at www.farmtotableeventco.com.

Mac-Off: America’s Largest Mac & Cheese Festival, noon-5 p.m. May 15 at Hampton-Preston House, 1615 Blanding St. Sample some of the cheesiest dishes from local restaurants while listening to live music from Blind Manifest and Bryson Jennings. Bring a blanket and lawn chairs for picnics. Kids under 5 free. No pets, no coolers, no outside food/drink. Tickets $10/advance, $15/gate; tasting tickets $2/each; available at thecolumbiamacoff.com.

Midlands Farm to Restaurant Week, a celebration of locally grown foods served at local restaurants May 15-21, culminating in the Midlands Farm Tour on May 21. Participating restaurants include Oak Table, Bourbon, Rosso, Jake’s on Devine, Rosewood Market, Cantina 76, Motor Supply, Yesterday’s, Urban Cookery, Solstice, Terra, Gervais & Vine, Wired Goat, Dupre’s at the Market and Za’s.

Hampton’s Southern Chef Series welcomes Chef de Cuisine Matthew Krenz, 6:30 p.m. May 17 at Hamptons, 4 West Hampton Ave., Sumter. Chef Krenz, of The Asbury at The Dunhill Hotel in Charlotte, will prepare a farm-to-table dinner at Hamptons. Reservations, call Richard Jardin, (803) 774-4400, rjardin@hamptonsfoods.net or www.hamptonsfoods.com

Historic Happy Hour on the Horseshoe, 5:30-7 p.m. May 20. A guided tour by Katharine Thompson Allen, author of On the Horseshoe: A Guide to the Historic Campus of the University of South Carolina, followed by a gathering at a nearby pub for drinks and a book signing. Tickets $15/Historic Columbia members, $20/non-members, includes two drinks. Must be 21 or older. More information at historiccolumbia.org

2016 Midlands Farm Tour, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. May 21, organized by Midlands Food Alliance and Sustainable Midlands. A self-guided tour featuring farms of Lexington County. Tickets $10/person in advance ($15/person day of) available at eventbrite.com; children under 10, WIC, SNAP and EBT beneficiaries and families admitted free with proof of eligibility. Participating farms include 6 Berry Farm, Bee Trail Farm, Humble Farms, Mercer House Estate Winery, Patchwork Farm, Sandhills Heirloom Tomatoes, Terra Kotta Farms, Wright Farm of SC, USC’s Green Quad/Sustainable Carolina Community Farm & Garden and the SC State Farmers Market. Information at midlandsfarmtour.com, MidlandsFoodAlliance@gmail.com or (803) 470-4302.

“Cornbread is for Everyone,” SC Cornbread Festival, 11 a.m. May 21 at Spirit Communications Park (home of the Columbia Fireflies baseball team). Enjoy kids’ corner, cornhole tournament, live entertainment, cornbread cook-off and eating contests and more.

Behind the scenes tour: Hops in the Hangar, 6:30-8 p.m. for Palladium Society members only May 25; Historic Columbia members only on May 26. Take a look at the Hunter-Gatherer expansion at the Curtiss-Wright Hangar at Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport with owner Kevin Varner. Learn about the brewing process and sample craft beer, get up close to a B-25B Mitchell bomber, and enjoy refreshments from Vino Garage, Rosewood Market and Tradesman Brewing Company. Limited tickets $10/current Palladium and Historic Columbia members; $55/individual Palladium Society new member, ticket combination; $85/family Palladium Society new member, ticket combination; $45/individual HC new member, ticket combination; $70/family HC new member, ticket combination. More information at historiccolumbia.org

Lake Murray’s Cooking, 5:30-8:30 p.m. May 26 at Saluda River Club’s Chickawa Outdoor Center. Sponsored by the Lake Murray Chamber of Commerce, this is a perfect opportunity to mix and mingle while enjoying some of the area’s best food. Tickets $25/person, $40/couple, Chamber members get 10% discount. Information and tickets at www.lakemurraychamber.com or call (803) 356-2151

Columbia’s Shrimp & Grits Fest, 6-11 p.m. June 18 at Columbia Marriott, 1200 Hampton St. Area restaurants will compete to see who’s shrimp & grits is the best in town. Celebrity judge Marcus Lattimore will be present and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Marcus Lattimore Foundation. Tickets, $45/person, include shrimp & grits samples, music, dancing, photo booth and door prizes. columbiashrimpandgrits.com.

Tasty Tomato Festival, July 16 at City Roots

Brew at the Zoo, Aug. 5, Riverbanks Zoo. Make plans now to join us for the coolest suds sippin’ safari in Columbia. Brew at the Zoo provides the perfect remedy to those muggy Midlands’ days—samples of cold, frothy beer. From domestics to imports to specialty micros, guests can choose their brew and meander through the Zoo or hang out in the plaza and listen to live music. No one under 21 will be admitted. Proceeds support ongoing conservation and education efforts at Riverbanks. Visit www.riverbanks.org for more information.

2016 Great American Whiskey Fair, Sept. 29 at 701 Whaley, is the largest whiskey tasting in the United States. Early bird admission is $50/person and $100/person VIP, tickets available at eventbrite.com. More information at ExperienceWhiskey.com or email info@experiencewhiskey.com

Have Lunch at Old McCaskill’s Farm begins at noon every Friday. Served buffet style, first come, first served, $10 per person. Check out the farm store while you’re there for farm-raised meats, cheeses and more. 377 Cantey Lane, Rembert, (803) 432-9537, www.oldmccaskillfarm.com.

Wednesday Wine Tasting at Gervais & Vine: 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, sample a few while enjoying live music; or check out the Happy Hour Wine Flights, 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, three 2-ounce glasses for $8. 620 Gervais St. (803) 799-8463, www.gervine.com

Wine Wednesdays at Craft And Draft will feature select wines at $5 per glass and three to four wines that will be available for sampling and buying. Craft and Draft is at 2706 Devine St. (803) 764-2575, www.craftanddraftbeer.com.

Take a trip, see a farm: The South Carolina Agritourism Association has created a Passport Program for farms in order to educate folks on what the agriculture industry means to the state. Participants can get a passport from any of the 44 farms on the tour and the more stamps collected in the passport, the more chances to win prizes, with one winner taking home $100 in Certified SC products. https://agriculture.sc.gov/divisions/agency-services/agritourism/

Learn to become a farmer Incubator Farm plots available at Sandhill Research and Education Center on Clemson Road in Columbia. Participants in the Agriculture Incubator Program will have access to up to a 1/2 acre of irrigated land, a packing shed, equipment use, access to technical assistance, access to markets and training opportunities. Fee of $350 per year for up to three years, plus required safety and operation training. Contact Harry Crissy, hcrissy@clemson.edu (use “Columbia Incubator” in subject line) or call (843) 730-5211.

Two Gals and a Fork Food Tours and Historic Columbia April 30: Brunch & Munch Tour, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; Sites & Bites Tour, 4-6:30 p.m. Meet at the First Responders Memorial by the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Tickets $30-38, depending on the number in your party, cutsom tours for 10 or more guests. More information available at www.twogalsfoodtours.com or call (803) 360-0578.

Columbia Food Tours takes you on a walking tour of downtown Columbia to experience the culture and cuisine of the capital city. Sign up for a tour, gather at the State House steps, and visit six to eight of Columbia restaurants and sample items. Tours last 2 1/2 hours, rain or shine. Details and ticket reservations, $42 per person, at www.columbiafoodtours.com

Columbia Brew Bus offers tours of Columbia’s beer/wine and distilling scene. Choose the Brewery Tour: includes pick-up/drop-off at Liberty Tap Room, stops at Conquest Brewing, River Rat Brewery and Swamp Cabbage Brewing. At each stop, you get at least 16 ounces of beer samples, brewery tour, Q&A with brewery staff and opportunity to buy brewery merchandise. Choose the Wine and Spirits Tour: pick-up/drop-off at Bourbon Columbia, stops at Copper Horse Distilling, Crouch Distilling and Vino Garage. Distilleries will offer tour and tasting session. Vino Garage will have a custom tasting hosted by owner Doug Aylard. Along the way, enjoy sightseeing, light snacks, trivia and prizes, coolers to keep purchases cold and an all-S.C. music playlist curated by Scene SC. Tickets $45/person, $20 designated driver. www.columbiabrewbus.com.

Copper Horse Distilling behind-the-scene tours on Fridays and Saturdays. Space is limited and reservations required, call (803) 779-2993 to book a spot. Large groups can be accommodated for private tours. All tours include a tasting of Copper Horse Distilling products (Old Mill Vodka, Copper Cream, Copper Horse Rum and Bulle Rock Gin). 929 Huger Street, www.copperhorsedistilling.com.

FoodShare Columbia connects families and communities with affordable fresh fruits and vegetables from local and regional farmers. The partnership of the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department, Richland Library, USC School of Medicine, EdVenture Children’s Museum and the Columbia Housing Authority provides boxed food that can be ordered twice a month, between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Bellfield Cultural Arts Center at 2611 Grant St., (803) 255-8161. Cost is $20; $10 for SNAP participants. Cash and EBT accepted.

CITY GRIT Cooking Classes with Chefs Sara Simmons and Aaron Hoskins, May 2-6 at the former Charleston Cooks! location at Crosshill Market. Choose either a morning (10 a.m.) or evening (6 p.m.) class, classes last 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Guests will get a hands-on experience and the entire class will have the opportunity to sit together and enjoy the food over a question and answer session. May 2, Making (and Breaking) Bread, $75, sourdough, buttermilk biscuits, flatbreads and crackers; May 3, Spring Fling, $75, spring produce from appetizer to main course and dessert; May 4, Eat Local with Global Flavors, $85, spices, herbs and cooking techniques, fresh cheese; May 5, Introduction to Pasta, $85, fresh pasta and sauces; May 6, Summer of Seafood, $85, techniques of cleaning & cooking fresh fish & shellfish. Sign up at citygritnyc.com/schedule

Chef Francois Fisera: Join cooking classes at Fleur de Lys Home Culinary Institute. Classes $39 per person, wine extra. Schedule includes April 22, wines of Languedoc, France, with Manchester Farm quail; April 26 & 29, Spanish salmon, balsamic Rioja reduction; May 3 & 6, filet of beef flambe with cream sauce au poivre; May 10 & 13, escallopini of veal Delamotte Champagne; May 17, lamb tangine; May 20, red & white Bordeaux tasting with classic roasted chicken; May 24 & 27, rack of lamb with haricot verts. Fleur de Lys is at 3001 Millwood Ave. (803) 765-9999 or fleurdelyscolumbiasc.com

Let’s Cook Culinary Studio: Prices per person unless noted. April 21, Italian pasta ($40); April 29, french small plates ($40); May 6, tapas ($40); May 13, couples TBA ($90); May 17, Wild Women ($50, 2 for 1); May 20, couples Asian ($90); May 27, Lowcountry small plate dishes ($40). Detailed listings at letscookculinary.com. Let’s Cook is at 1305 Assembly St., (803) 348-5874

Calling all chefs – current, retired and experienced: Cooking Matters, a new cooking and nutrition education curriculum, will offer cooking and nutrition classes for adults and is looking for volunteers to share their skills. Email Shorus Manning at manninse@dhec.sc.gov.

Learn to make sushi at SakiTumi: Wednesdays by appointment, couples and small groups can call and arrange classes in the art of making sushi. Pricing options include food and class, or choose to include wine or hot sake. Call (803) 931-0700 after 2 p.m. for scheduling or information. SakiTumi is at 807 Gervais St.

Farmers in the Forest: Forest Acres Farmers Market at Richland Mall in the parking lot along Beltline Boulevard. Wednesdays 3-7 p.m. through Nov. 23. Vendor applications can be found at farmersintheforest.org; follow on Facebook.

Rosewood Market Farmers Market: 4-7 p.m. every Friday, 2803 Rosewood Dr. (803) 256-6410 www.rosewoodmarket.com

Irmo Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., first and third Saturdays through September, Irmo Community Park, 7507 Eastview Dr., Irmo. www.irmofarmersmarket.com

Kershaw County Farmers Market: 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays through Nov. 19 at 222 Broad St., Camden. www.kcfarmersmarket.org

Soda City Market: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. every Saturday at the 1500 block of Main Street. www.sodacitysc.com

Healthy Carolina’s Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesdays on Greene Street in front of Preston. www.sa.sc.edu/healthycarolina/farmersmarket

This story was originally published April 27, 2016 at 11:01 AM with the headline "COOK’S CALENDAR: Dine Out for Life; wine tasting; bee keeping and more."