› Holiday Tea at the Driskill Adults can sip Champagne while the kids enjoy hot chocolate plus a selection of tea sandwiches, desserts, and scones. Friday through Sunday afternoons from 3-5pm; reservations required. Fri.-Sun., through Dec. 22, 3-5pm. The Driskill Hotel, 604 Brazos, 512/439-1234. $45 ($25, kids).

› Holiday Dinner Chefs John Bates and Brandon Martinez host an “odd bits” themed, multicourse holiday meal. BYOB; reserve by phone or email. Fri., Dec. 13, 8pm. Noble Sandwich Company, 11815 RR 620 N. #4, 512/382-6248. $65. noblepigaustin@gmail.com.

› Cooking Competition TV Show Casting Call Sharp Entertainment will be in town casting a new food competition series called Frankenfood for Spike TV. Aspiring contestants are encouraged to show up with a unique dish featuring an odd combination that actually tastes good. See website for more details. Sat., Dec. 14, 10am-5pm. DoubleTree Hotel, 6505 N. I-35, 512/454-3737. www.sharpentertainment.com/casting/frankenfood.

› Micklethwait Craft Meats Anniverary Party These guys have had a great first year and want to celebrate with all their friends and fans. They’ll be serving food and hosting a domino tourney from noon-3pm (sign up by email) and will offer live music after 3pm. Y’all come. Sun., Dec. 15, noon-6pm. Micklethwait Craft Meats, 1309 Rose-wood, 512/791-5961. craftmeats@gmail.com.

› Afternoon With Santa Give Santa the Xmas list in person and have family photos taken with the jolly old elf, or take them yourself. Cookie decorating, holiday crafts, and live music by Joe McDermott. Reservations required. Sun., Dec. 15, 2-5pm. The Driskill Hotel, 604 Brazos, 512/439-1234. $25.

› The Cookie Takedown Matt Timms is back with another Takedown competition and this time, he wants talented home cooks to enter the most delectable batch of baked cookies they’ve ever made. Email Matt at chilitakedown@gmail.com to enter for the opportunity to win hundreds of dollars’ worth of big-name cookware prizes. Sun., Dec. 15, 2-4pm. Shangri-La, 1016 E. Sixth, 512/524-4291. www.thetakedowns.com.

› Retro Holiday Bash Bring a White Elephant gift worth no more than $10 for admittance to this retro-themed party and enjoy festive foods like vegan nog, “cheeze” plates, and plenty of sweet treats, or purchase the new menu item, the Soul Food Burrito. Tue., Dec. 17, 6-9pm. Counter Culture, 2337 E. Cesar Chavez, 512/524-1540.

This article appears in December 13 • 2013.

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