Meal Times

WINTER COOKING CLASS SERIES Chef Bess Giannakakis' winter cooking series is ongoing with small weekly classes scheduled in January and February at her lovely bed and breakfast overlooking Lady Bird Lake. Class schedule, prices, and registration info are online. Mon., Jan. 14 - Mon., Feb. 25, (2013) Gateway Guesthouse, 1001 E Riverside, 512/326-2646. www.gatewayguest.com/food-and-wine/cooking-classes/

SIMPLIFY COOKING CLASS SERIES Chef Katy Parker is back with the hands-on five-week series designed to teach fundamentals and build culinary knowledge. Choose mornings (10am-noon) or evenings (6-8pm) for five weeks beginning this week. Reserve by phone. Tuesdays through Feb. 26, 10am-noon Faraday's Kitchen Store, 1501-A RR 620 N., 512/266-5666. $249. www.faradayskitchenstore.com

SAKÉ & A MOVIE UNDER THE STARS Enjoy a family-friendly and educational evening with the first saké made from Texas rice. Guest speakers and our Toji will answer questions, we'll show a movie under the stars (bring your lawn chair), and the Best Wurst will sell sausages. Fri., Feb. 22, 6-9pm. (2013) Texas Sake Company, 5501 N. Lamar. Free.

ART NIGHT AUSTIN Enjoy a seven-stop shuttle tour of galleries and shops that will be serving food from an eclectic selection of Austin restaurants. Proceeds benefit programs of Art Alliance Austin. After-party at Vuka Co-op for $25. Ticket are available online. Sat., Feb. 23, 7pm-12mid. (2013) Art Alliance Austin, 816 Congress #1140, 512/609-8587. $75 ($195, VIP badges). www.artallianceaustin.org

EMPANADA & POTSTICKER WORKSHOP Chef Katy Parker will demonstrate both Latin American and Asian turnovers in these one hour workshops at 9:30am, 11, and 12:30pm. Sat., Feb. 23, 9:30am-1:30pm. (2013) Faraday's Kitchen Store, 1501-A RR 620 N., 512/266-5666. $10. www.faradayskitchenstore.com

FREDERICKSBURG WINE ROAD 290 RAGIN' CAJUN EVENT Shake off the winter chill and enjoy a special Cajun dish prepared by a different Hill Country restaurant at each of the 12 wineries along the trail. Check out the map online; no tickets to buy. Sat., Feb. 23, 10am-6pm. (2013) Fredericksburg Wine Road 290, Gillespie County. www.wineroad290.com

COWBOYS & GAUCHOS The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas hosts a live fire cooking celebration with foods and wines from both Latin America and Texas in the Salt Lick's pavilion. Purchase tickets online. Sun., Feb. 24, noon-4pm. (2013) The Salt Lick, 18300 FM 1826, Driftwood, 512/858-4959. $65 ($50, members; $10, kids). www.winefoodfoundation.org

HEALTHY SLOW COOKING COOK-OFF The organization called Slow Cooking in a Fast-Food World is a grassroots program that provides slow cookers and healthy menu plans to families who cannot afford them. This cook-off benefits that program. For complete details, go online. Contestants can drop off their reasonably healthy recipes and entries in slow cookers between 9:30-11:30am. Prizes will be provided by Serve Gourmet Gadgets & Goods. Tasters suggested donation is $3 kids/$5 adults or a gently used, working slow cooker. Sun., Feb. 24, 1pm. (2013) Ascension Lutheran Church, 6420 Hart Lane, 512/345-4030. www.facebook.com/SlowCookinginAFastFoodWorld

WINTER WINE & DINE Mike Patton and executive chef Albert Benitez will collaborate on a five-course meal with thoughtful wine pairings. Email for tickets. Thu., Feb. 28, 6:30pm. (2013) Cover 3, 2700 W. Anderson #202, 512/374-1121. $65, all inclusive. events@cover-3.com, www.cover-3.com

RODEO AUSTIN COWBOY BREAKFAST Every year, Austin gets the rodeo spirit by kicking things off with a big campfire breakfast on the shores of Lady Bird Lake. Begin the day with hearty victuals like biscuits and gravy, pancakes and sausages, fried catfish and hush puppies, breakfast tacos and doughnuts; then wet your whistle with milk, juice, and coffee. This free and family-friendly event always includes live music and Western-style entertainment. Wagons, whoa! Fri., March 1, 6-9am. (2013) Auditorium Shores, 920 W. Riverside.