Cook’s calendar: Whiskey, tea and chocolate

Special events

Grapes of Spain Wine Dinner: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, at 116 State Espressso and Wine Bar in West Columbia. 116 hosts Javier Baquero with Grapes if Spain for a seven course dinner paired with wine. Guests will receive a glass of Cava and an amuse bouche before being seated for dinner. All wines will be available for order at the end of the evening. Dinner first course: tostada three ways with boquerones, watermelon radish and heirloom tomato paired with Adegas Gran Vinum, Mar de Vinas Albarino (2016); second: grilled octopus and fava beans with Bodegas Pingao, Rioja (2014); third: summer vegetable terrine with Bovale, Utiel-Requenoa Bobal Rosado (2016); fourth: patatas bravas with white asparagus and seared diver scallop with Manuel Manzaneque Suarez, La Mancha Fatum White (2015); fifth: Wil-Moore Farms egg yolk baked in pastry with wild mushroom and shallot with Issac Fernandez Seleccion, Ribera del Duero Rios de Tinta (2015); sixth: grilled NY strip steak with fig, Spanish blue chees and fried jamon with Casa L’Angel, Cabernet Sauvignon (2012); seventh: seared lamb chops with fried cauliflower, pistachios and date puree with Issac Fernandez Seleccion, Ribera del Duero Finca la Mata (2014). Vegetarian/pescatarian options available. $65/person. Call for reservations, (803) 791-5663.

Early bird tickets are on sale now: Great American Whiskey Fair: 5:30-9 p.m. Sept. 28 at 701 Whaley. For a limited time, get general admission tickets for $50/person ($75 when early bird sells out) or VIP tickets — includes entire tasting, food, access to Cigar Veranda, GAWF t-shirt, good bag, early entry and chance to win a private bourbon tasting for 10 — $85/person ($125 when early bird sells out). www.experiencewhiskey.com, www.facebook.com/GreatAmericanWhiskeyFair or www.farmtotableeventco.com.

On sale now: euphoria Greenville: Founded by singer/songwriter Edwin McCain in 2006, this long weekend celebrates the food, wine, brews and music of the Upstate. Early events, such as Tapas & Tinis (7-10 p.m. July 14, $50/person) and ticket packages and festival passes (from $120 to $1,045/person) are on sale now. www.euphoriagreenville.com

Tea + chocolate: 3-4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 24, The Market Tea Room and Country Store, 322 Little Brooke Lane, West Columbia. Sip Eternal Spring White tea with peach/mango truffle, Wild Strawberry Herbal with strawberry truffle, Lemon Meringue Green with lemon basil, and White Chai with cinnamon caramel truffle. Tickets $14/person, www.facebook.com/evolthruchoc/.

Save money, Save water: Rain Barrel Workshops: July 8 and Aug. 12. The City of Columbia is offering one free rain barrel per household to residents living within the city limits, and at a discounted rate of $68 for people living outside of the city limits. To qualify for a barrel, you will need to attend one of the workshops listed: choose either 11 a.m. or noon July 8 at Greenview Park or 10 a.m., 11 a.m. or noon Aug. 12 at Woodlands Park. Sign up online at https://gate.columbiasc.gov/rainbarrels/

Butcher Paper Dinner: 3-7 p.m. July 8, presented by Farm to Table Events Company at City Roots Farm, 1005 Airport Blvd. Join the fun at the communal table with a feast prepared by local chefs. $45/person, cash/credit bar. www.farmtotableeventco.com.

Palmetto Palate: 6-9 p.m. July 20, at 701 Whaley. This is the 10th anniversary of the SC Farm Bureau Federation’s fundraiser celebrating local food producers and chefs. Enjoy tasting portions of a variety of dishes and bid on a range of items in the silent auction. Tickets $50/person in advance, $60 at door. Proceeds benefit the Friends of Farm Bureau PAC. www.eventbrite.com or make check payable to SC Friends of Farm Bureau PAC and mail to SC Farm Bureau Federation, PO Box 654, Columbia SC 29201.

SPLAT 2017: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 22 at 2528 Old Dutch Road, Little Mountain. Join the South carolina Piedmont Lycopersicum Annual Tasting of heirloom tomatoes at the home of Rodger Winn, of Rodger’s Heirlooms. Garden tour, seed saving demonstration, general tomato care information and Winn will be available for your questions. Dress for a day on a farm, summer weather and possible rain. Event is free, donations accepted. Bring your heirlooms to show off and share. Enjoy tomato sandwiches (white bread, Dukes and ’maters) and live music. www.rodgersheirlooms.com or call (803) 924-6084.

July Harvest Dinner & Show: 6:30-9:30 p.m. July 24 at Music Farm. Farm To Table Event Co. & Catering’s Chef Ola Helsing joins Bourbon’s Executive Chef Frank Bradley for a Caribbean-themed family style dinner at Music Farm. Local reggae music performed live. Four-course meal, cocktail and wine, $85/person. www.farmtotableeventco.com

Tasty Tomato Festival: 1-7 p.m. Aug. 5 at City Roots, 1005 Airport Blvd. Celebrate all things tomato-y with heirloom tasting, tomato bobbing, and craft beer, plus live music, farm tours, scavenger hunt and bounce houses. Early bird tickets on sale through June 30, $12/person; $15/person/cash only day of event. Presented by Sustainabla Midlands, www.sustainablemidlands.org. Tickets and more information at tastytomatofestival.com.

Butcher Paper Dinner: 3-7 p.m. Aug. 12, presented by Farm to Table Events Company at City Roots Farm, 1005 Airport Blvd. Join the fun at the communal table with a feast prepared by local chefs. $45/person, cash/credit bar. www.farmtotableeventco.com

The Grape Eclipse: August 18-21 at Mercer House Estate Winery, 397 Walter Rawl Road, Lexington. Four days of celebrating mark the once-in-a-lifetime experience of the solar eclipse. Friday, Aug. 21, 3-9 p.m. is the Syzygy Social with wine slushies and bonfire. 11 a.m-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, is the dog walk and Vine-Wine tours. 1-7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20, bring a covered dish and a lawn blanket and enjoy a potluck picnic with pulled pork. For the big event noon-3 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 21, observe the total eclipse and party with live music, food from local vendors and the release of “Eclipse Wine.” www.mercerhouseestatewinery.com.

August Solar Eclipse Low Country Boil & Paella: noon-4 p.m. Aug. 21 at City Roots. Farm To Table Event Co & Catering presents an eclipse party like no other. Live music and viewing glasses provided. Cash bar. $55/person, www.farmtotableeventco.com

Midlands Farm Tour: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 9. See where your food comes from and learn about aquaponics, organic food production, hyperlocal wine production, rainwater harvesting, the 360 method of composting and alternative energy solutions. Pariticpating farms include Carolina Bay, Fire Barrel Farm, The Winery at Mercer House, Up On Cedar Knoll, Leesville Aquaponics, Terra Kotta Farm. Meador Acres Chestnuts, Arnold Farm, and more. Presented by Sustainable Midlands, all-inclusive tickets (available in July) are $10/person; children under 10 years, and WIC, SNAP and EBT beneficiaries admitted free with proof of eligibility. www.sustainablemidlands.org and midlandsfarmtour.com

Charleston Beer Week: Sept. 9-16, various locations throughout the Charleston area. See schedule at charlestonbeerweek.com

Taste of Atlanta: Oct. 20-22, Historic Fourth Ward Park, 680 Dallas St NE, Atlanta. Tickets on sale now for various dinners, tastings and events at www.TasteofAtlanta.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. www.facebook.com/FoodShare-Columbia.

Healthy Bucks: A program allowing SNAP recipients to obtain additional fresh fruits and vegetables when they use SNAP benefits to purchase fresh produce at participating farmers markets. SNAP recipients who purchase at least $5 with SNAP EBT card at participating locations get $10 in Healthy Bucks tokens for the purchase for additional fesh fruit and veggies. In Richland County: FoodShare Columbia, Dianne’s Call, City Roots and Martin Farm; in Lexington County: Beasons Farm Market; in Kershaw County: Kershaw County Farmers Market, United Way of Kershaw County. dss.sc.gov/assistance-programs

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.

Get the App: South Carolina Farmers and Roadside Market App shows more than 200 farmers markets and roadside produce stands. Click on location to see address, hours of operation, and methods of payment. New recipes each month will feature in-season produce. www.scdhec.gov/farmersmarkets

Pressure Canning Testing by Clemson Extension done by appointment at Sandhills Research and Education Center on Clemson Road. Have your pressure canner dial gauges checked for accuracy before use by an extension agent. $6, cash or check. Call (803) 865-1216 ext. 114 for more information.

Reduced Price Compost Bins: Contact Richland County Ombudsman’s office, (803) 909-6000 to order bins for $33.

Columbia’s Cooking: Classes held at USC’s Cancer Prevention & Control Program, Discovery 1 Building, Suite 200, 915 Greene St. Register online at columbiascooking.org/classes/ or ColaCook@mailbox.sc.edu or (803) 576-5636.

Providence Cooks: Providence Health, 2435 Forest Drive. Monthly healthy cooking class taught by registered dietitian Kay MacInnis and her team of chefs from Providence Health. Tickets $25/person (Providence Health employees receive 50 percent discount), call 1-800-424-DOCS or online at http://bit.ly/ProvCooks2017. Upcoming classes: Aug. 1, Carolina Grown & Made; Sept. 5, Food for the Soul; Oct. 2, Fall into the Mediterranean; Nov. 7, Healthy Entertaining. More information at http://yourprovidencehealth.com/classes-events/providence-cooks-farm-to-table

Fleur de Lys Home Culinary Institute: Chef Francois Fisera leads classes, $39/person, wine extra. Classes begin at 6:15 p.m. Friday, June 23, Madras-style chicken curry; June 26 & 27, hands-on French sauces. Fleur de Lys is at 3001 Millwood Ave. (803) 765-9999 or fleurdelyscolumbiasc.com.

Let’s Cook Culinary Studio: Prices per person unless noted. Thursday, June 22, with Chef Brian Smith (6:15 p.m., $45); Friday, June 23, couples hands-on pasta (6:30 p.m., $95/couple); June 30, small plates (6:30 p.m., $45). Detailed listings at lets-cook.wixsite.com/letscookculinary. Let’s Cook is at 1305 Assembly St., (803) 348-5874 or lets-cook@earthlink.net

Last Wednesdays with John Chiles: Former owner of Restaurant 123 in Irmo, GM for Club Corp International and part owner/operator of Blue Marlin, John Chiles will instruct cooking classes 7-9 p.m. the last Wednesday of the month at Grace United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall Kitchen, 410 Harbison Blvd. Call church office Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. or Friday 9 a.m.-noon for info or to register (803) 732-1899 or office@gracecolumbia.org.

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

Blythewood Farmers Market: 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Doko Meadows, 171 Langford Road, Blythewood. Michaela Barno, (843) 697-1733. www.facebook.com/BlythewoodFarmersMarket or www.localharvest.org/blythewood-farmers-market

City Roots Farm: 4-7 p.m. Thursdays, 1005 Airport Blvd., www.cityroots.org

Northeast Farmers Market: 3-7 p.m. Thursdays through mid-October, Lake Carolina Town Center, 100 Lake Carolina Blvd, Northeast Richland. www.lakecarolina.com or www.facebook.com/lakecarolinafarmersmarket

Irmo Farmers Market: Opening June 17. 9 a.m.- noon, first and third Saturdays through September, Irmo high School, 6671 St. Andrews Rd., Irmo. (803) 269-9826. www.irmofarmersmarket.com

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

Chapin Downtown Farmer’s Market: 8:30 a.m.-11 a.m. every first Saturday through October, in the 100 block of Clark Street. www.chapinsc.com or www.facebook.com/ChapinDowntownFarmersMarket

Lexington Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays through Sept. 30 (except July 1), Lexington Square Park, 205 E. Main St. Contact Walker Brewer (803) 358-7275 or www.lexsc.com

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

Sandhills Farmers Market: 2-6 p.m. Tuesdays through Thanksgiving at Sandhill Research Center, 900 Clemson Road, across from Village at Sandhill, Northeast Richland. www.clemson.edu/public/sandhill/programs/farmers_market.html

Healthy Carolina’s Farmers Market: 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesdays on Greene Street in front of Preston. www.sa.sc.edu/healthycarolina/farmersmarket. USC On-Campus delivery via Pinckney’s Produce and AFRESH! can be scheduled in 4-, 6- and 12-week sessions.

Have an upcoming food event? Email details to sardis@thestate.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. Friday. For more listings, go to www.thestate.com

This story was originally published June 21, 2017 at 11:27 AM with the headline "Cook’s calendar: Whiskey, tea and chocolate."