What: Decorate a sugar cookie to help raise money for Operation Food Search, a Saint Louis-area food bank that distributes food free of charge to community members in need.
When: 10 a.m. 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: St. Louis Bread Co., all 48 of its cafes
Cost: A suggested donation of $1 per cookie.
Features: Also on Saturday at the St. Louis Bread Co. in Frontenac, 10336 Clayton Road, St. Louis, a former Rams football player (10 a.m. to noon) and Rams cheerleaders and Rampage mascot (noon to 2 p.m.) will join in the festivities. They will sign autographs and take photos with participants.
Encore -- Pie and Tarts, Hands On
When: 6-8 p.m. Nov. 13
Where: Eckert's Country Store, 951 S. Greenmount Road, Belleville
Cost: $30
Reservations: 233-0513 or eckerts.com
Features: Join Lana Shepek to learn how to make pastry crust from scratch. Use frozen and fresh fruits to make crowd-pleasing desserts. Everyone will practice making a pie crust shell.
Holiday Extravaganza
When:10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Where: Eckert's Country Store, 951 S. Greenmount Road, Belleville
Features: Enjoy some of Eckert's favorite recipes, cooking demonstrations, holiday decorating ideas, wine sampling and holiday food. Santa will be on hand to visit with the children.
A Toast to Argentina
When: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Eckert's Country Store, 951 S. Greenmount Road, Belleville
Cost: $20
Reservations: 233-0513 or eckerts.com
Features: Over the last 10 years, Argentina has developed methods that are bringing Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec and blended wines to the forefront of the wine market. Wines will be paired with appetizer-sized food portions.
Holiday Hors d' Oeuvres
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 13 and 15
Where: L'Ecole Culinaire Academy for Culinary Development, 9200 Olive Boulevard, Suite 108, in the Shoppes at Price Crossing, Olivette.
Cost. $75
Registration: www.lecoleacademy.com or 314-264-1999.
Features: Preparation of prosciutto-wrapped meatballs, pistachio arancini, duck confit quesadillas, beef carpaccio crostinis, chorizo with goat cheeses stuffed dates and hoisin chicken wings.
Garnishing Techniques
When: 6 to 8 p.m Nov. 14
Where: L'Ecole Culinaire, 9811 South Forty Drive, St. Louis
Cost: $40
Registration: www.lecoleacademy.com or 314-264-1999.
Features: Instruction in vegetable carvings that are sure to brighten any holiday buffet.
