Inventive dinners, decadent desserts, fun cooking classes, and a beer festival. Check out these awesome food events in Northern Michigan this month!
Amical’s Cookbook Dinner Series | February 5–11
Once a month, amical creates a week-long dinner menu that consists of recipes from selected cookbooks. This week features Sicilian-born chef Marc Vetri’s traditional comfort-food classics that reflect amical’s love of Italian food. (Read this Traverse Magazine feature about the Cookbook Dinner Series.)
Cheese for Dessert | February 8
Dessert is more than just cake and pie. Cheese is a “grate” idea too! Learn about a variety of dessert cheeses and how to serve them. Class fee is $20, register in advance.
Shrub Cocktail Workshop | February 8
This delicious combination of vinegar and fruit creates beautiful depth of flavor in cocktails. You’ll learn how to make them and mix with them at Mammoth Distilling’s cocktail class! Tickets are available at MyNorthTickets.com.
Snowshoe Hike & Dinner | February 9
Delight in a new enchanted snowshoe expedition this winter, culminating with a gourmet three-course dinner at Boyne Highlands Resort. Reserve your spot at MyNorthTickets.com.
3rdAnnual Stout Challenge | February 9
This a local competition between 12 Traverse City area breweries. Each brewery will produce their “Best STOUT” and 200 beer lovers will choose their favorite brew. All tastings will be blind. Ticket holders will know the description of the beer, ABV, and other facts, but the brewery will remain confidential. Get your tickets at MyNorthTickets.com.
Pasta Cooking Class | February 10
Learn how to make pasta from scratch at Wren the Butcher. Participants will have a hands-on opportunity to practice making pasta and different dishes out of each variety. Get your tickets at MyNorthTickets.com.
Winter Microbrew & Music Festival | February 10
This year the event is at Mount Mancelona, a historic ski hill and lodge just north of Mancelona. The festival will offer new activities like snowshoeing to a rare-beer tasting tent and professional snowboard and ski aerial viewing plus the great music and tasty brews you’ve come to expect! Tickets are available at MyNorthTickets.com.
Taste the Passion | February 10–11
Winter Wonderland is here, and there’s “snow” much fun to be had along the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail! Gather your friends and embark on an adventure through snow-covered vineyards to sweet and savory bites paired with amazing wine. Get your tickets at MyNorthTickets.com.
Valentine’s Chocolate Tasting | February 11
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a guided tour of one of the world’s most celebrated treats—chocolate! Explore the botany of the cacao tree and enjoy a guided chocolate tasting with Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate at The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park. Tickets are available at MyNorthTickets.com.
Friday Dinners at Black Star Farms | February 16 + 23
Enjoy an intimate three-course dining experience at the Inn at Black Star Farms. Chef Lance Griffus, the winner of the Best Classic Food & Wine Pairing at the 2017 Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival, has created a special prix fixe menu to accompany Black Star wines and help you warm up on a wintry day. (This event continues in March and April.) Tickets are available at MyNorthTickets.com.
Winter Social | February 17
The Winter Social presented by Michigan House at The Little Fleet will have live music, beer, cider, wine, winter cocktails, firepits, heated tent, hot poked beer (the beer equivalent of s’mores), food, and more! Get your tickets in advance and check out the music lineup at MyNorthTickets.com.
Romancing The Riesling | February 17
This annual event by the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula celebrates riesling, one of the varietals for which our wine region is most celebrated. Each winery pairs favorite rieslings with delectable food offerings—all in honor of the famed grape. Get your tickets in advance for $30 at MyNorthTickets.com. The price goes up to $35 the day of.
Tinker and Taste | February 23
Tap into technology at the Quarkmine Space. Unwind from the week, socialize with friends, and learn something new! February’s theme is “luck.” For the special project, you’ll be creating your own luck with a bit of heat, a bit of cold, and a bit of skill. Bring your own beverage to enjoy and share. This event is FREE for adult Quarkmine members. Pre-registration is required due to limited space (call 231.421.1987). If you’re not a member, get your tickets at MyNorthTickets.com.
Traverse City Restaurant Week | February 25–March 3
Participating restaurants will offer three-course meals for $25 or $35 per person. This is your chance to experience the culinary wonders of the TC region at an affordable price! (Enter to win $2,000 in dining certificates! And check out the limited-edition menus.)