COOK’S CALENDAR: Food-related festivals and events, beginning April 6

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.

Richland County Sheriff’s Department Annual Spaghetti Dinner, dine-in noon-3 p.m. and take-out 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 6 at Region 3 Headquarters, 6429 Bishop Avenue. Enjoy fresh salad, garlic bread, spaghetti and iced tea for $6/plate. All proceeds benefit American Heart Association/Relay for Life. Tickets available at regional headquarters or call Capt. Cole Porter for more information, (803) 576-3063.

The Gourmet Shop Wine Tasting, 6 p.m. April 7, featuring wines from Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf du Pape (Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc 2014, Chaupin 2011, 2012 and 2013, Vieilles Vignes 2008, 2011 and 2012). Reservations $25/person in advance, call (803) 799-9463 or at thegourmetshop.net/tastings/.

Alton Brown Eat Your Science, 7:30 p.m. April 8, Koger Center. More comedy, more antics, more music, more puppets! Star of Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen,” “Good Eats” and “Iron Chef America” brings his show to Columbia. Tickets available at Koger Center, (803) 777-5112; charge by phone (803) 251-2222; www.kogercenterforthearts.com

Tally-Ho Club Reunion, 4 p.m. April 9 at Cockpit Park, 901 Brookwood Drive, following the Carolina G&B Spring Football Game. Cash bar, no coolers, cheap Ho Dogs. Tickets $15/person advance through eventbrite.com; information, (803) 787-2329

Lexington Rotary Oyster Roast & BBQ, 5-10 p.m. April 9 at Lexington County Football Field, 649 Ballpark Road. Tickets $40/person includes all-you-can-eat oysters and BBQ with all the fixings and live music from the Throw Back Thursday Party Band, available at eventbrite.com. Proceeds support scholarships for graduates of Lexington, White Knoll and River Bluff high schools and Lexington Technology Center.

Farm Day at Old McCaskill’s Farm, 1-6 p.m. April 10. Enjoy a day on the farm with the sheep, ducks, chickens, pigs and such, Kershaw County Master Gardeners, chair caning, sheep shearing and herding dog demonstrations, plus shop the farm store. 377 Cantey Lane, Rembert, (803) 432-9537, www.oldmccaskillfarm.com.

Farm to Table April Harvest Dinner, 6:30 p.m. April 11 at City Roots, featuring Winemaker Jerry Sass of Sass Winery, Salem, Oregon. Enjoy a complimentary cocktail and a four-course family-style dinner paired with Sass wines, $75/person. www.farmtotableeventco.com or eventbrite.com.

Seed Swap & Slow Food Potluck, 6-8 p.m. April 12, upstairs at 701 Whaley. Seed savers, gardeners and farmers are welcome to join Midlands Food Alliance and Slow Food Columbia members for a potluck dinner. Jared Cates, of the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association will talk about the upcoming Sustainable Midlands Farm Tour (May 21) and how to incorporate food systems planning into county plans. Please bring a dish to share (with a serving spoon) and non-GMO seeds that have been labeled and organized in containers or packets for sharing and exchange. RSVP to midlandsfoodalliance@gmail.com

Backyard Poultry Workshop, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. April 18 at the Clemson Extension Homemaker’s Building, 632 W. Dekalb St., Camden. Topics covered include: Getting Started, Feeding and Nutrition, Housing (mobile vs permanent), Selecting Quality Birds, Biosecurity Basics, and Predator Control. Cost $70/person, includes flash drive containing copy of presentation, fact sheets, lunch and refreshments. For information or to register, call (803) 432-9071, ext. 0; drop by Camden office or email ghollan@clemson.edu. Registration deadline is April 14.

Hampton’s Southern Chef Series 2016: New Southern Dinner, 6:30 p.m. April 19 at Hamptons, 4 West Hampton Street, Sumter. Chef Bobby Hodge, of Town Hall, opening this summer in Florence, will prepare his interpretation of modern Southern cuisine and preview the menu at Town Hall. Reservations: Richard Jardin, (803) 774-4400 or rjardin@hamptonsfoods.net, www.hamptonsfoods.com.

Wine for Water: An Earth Day Celebration, 6-8:30 p.m. April 20 at The Hall at Senate’s End, 320 Senate Street, presented by Gills Creek Watershed Association and Sustainable Midlands. Enjoy great local food (Terra, 116 State, Dupre Catering, White Duck Taco Shop, The War Mouth, Za’s and Panera) and wine from around the world, and join in on the silent auction. Tickets: $35/person for members of Gills Creek Watershed Association and Sustainable Midlands; $45/non-members; special ticket + membership package available $50/person through www.sustainablemidlands.org or eventbrite.com. Proceeds benefit local watershed associations.

Gator Band Food Truck Rally and Movie Night to benefit the River Bluff Gator Band Program, 5:30-10 p.m. April 23 at River Bluff High School, 320 Corley Mill Rd., Lexington. Enjoy live music, arts and craft vendors and “Finding Nemo” projected on a big screen. Participating food trucks include Brain Freeze Italian Ice, Carol & Lorraine’s Grill on Wheels, Kona Ice, Pawley’s Front Porch, Poultry in Motion, Pizza in Motion, The Belgian Waffle Truck, The Coop, The Donut Guy, The Haute Dog Lady and Wurst Wagen. Advance tickets, $5/person includes premium parking, available from any Gator Band student through April 15 or call Scott Barrineau, (704) 796-6978. Tickets may be purchased at the gate.

SC Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival, noon-7 p.m. April 30 at SC State Fairgrounds. Presented by Food Truck Festivals of America, this year’s festival will feature unlimited sampling of over 50 regional and national craft brews and over 25 of the area’s best food trucks in addition to live music, face painting and fun for the entire family. Also new this year is partnership with Harvest Hope Food Bank. Attendees are asked to bring canned food donations. Ticket options include: FOX 102.3 VIP Hour, allows early entry at 11 a.m., unlimited complimentary bottled water and free dessert, $20 in advance, $25 at gate; General admission, $5 in advance, $10 at gate; Unlimited Beer Sampling (3-7 p.m.) for ages 21 and over, provides unlimited 2-ounce samples of all craft beers as well as admission to the Food Truck Festival. Tickets available at eventbrite.com.

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, Locountry 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.

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.

Columbia International Festival, April 16 (10 a.m.-7 p.m.) and 17 (noon-6 p.m.), at State Fairgrounds. This year highlights the many cultures, fashions and cuisines from the continent of Africa. Admission $5/adults, $1/child ages 6-12, free/children 5 and under. More information, (803) 799-3452, www.cifonline.org

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.

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.

Sustainable Midlands Food Alliance Farm Tour, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. May 21. 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, Sanhills 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

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

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 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.

Cooking for One, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 14 at the Lourie Center, 1650 Park Circle. The event is free and open to the public, lunch will be provided to the first 25 people to RSVP to info@louriecentersc.com or (803) 779-1971, ext. 12. More information at louriecentersc.com.

Kids Saturday@The Center, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 16 for children age 6 to 12. Participants and their parent/guardian or older sibling will learn about using seasonal local produce in delicious recipes. $30/child, contact Ann Mims at (803) 476-8601 or AMims@lexrich5.org. The Center for Advanced Technical Studies is at 916 Mount Vernon Church Road, Chapin, www.lexrich.org/CATS.cfm.

Chef Francois Fisera: Join cooking classes at Fleur de Lys Home Culinary Institute. Classes $39 per person, wine extra. Schedule includes April 11, 13 & 15, chicken pot pie with Mumm cream sauce; April 19, mussels San Diego style; April 22, wines of Languedoc, France, with Manchester Farm quail; April 26 & 29, Spanish salmon, balsamic Rioja reduction. Fleur de Lys is at 3001 Millwood Ave. (803) 765-9999 or fleurdelyscolumbiasc.com

Let’s Cook Culinary Studio: Prices per person unless noted. Wednsadey, April 13, eggplant with Carol Papaletsos, call (803) 764-0031 or (803) 445-8545; April 15, couples spanish dishes ($90/couple); April 19, Wold Women ($50); April 21, Italian pasta ($40); April 29, french small plates ($40). Detailed listings at letscookculinary.com. Let’s Cook is at 1305 Assembly St., (803) 348-5874

McCutchen House at USC: Chef du jour classes (9 a.m.-1 p.m.): April 16, gourmet pizza on a budget ($50). Wine classes ($50/person): April 12, Picnic Wines. Registration for classes through McCutchen House or call Becky Moran (803) 777-8225, moranrs@mailbox.sc.edu.

Cocoa Lab cooking school at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte: Early 2016 classes include: April 9, Elegant Springtime Desserts (honey carrot cake with candied carrots, blueberry lemon tarts, cheesecake mousse with strawberries and rhubarb, and rosemary apricot scones). All class times 8:30 a.m.-noon, $100 per person includes apron, recipe collection and hotel parking. Register by calling (704) 547-2244. The Ritz-Carlton, 201 East Trade St.

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.

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. Season opens April 9 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; mini-market every Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Marriott on Main. 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 5, 2016 at 1:57 PM with the headline "COOK’S CALENDAR: Food-related festivals and events, beginning April 6."