Photo: jonseidman1988/Flickr
LOCAL BITES
Celebrate, Donate
Ongoing until Dec. 18th, Panera Bread is staying true to its name (bread for life) and giving back to the greater Boston community by holding its Cookies for Kids fundraising campaign. When you buy a molasses- and warm spice-filled gingerbread fella’, Panera will donate a portion of the proceeds to either Children’s Hospital Boston or South Shore Hospital. They’re on-track this year for donating over $100,000! Help them out by run, running as fast as you can to catch that delicious gingerbread man.
Make Your Cake and Eat it Too
Come improve your baking skills and learn how to create a festive Holiday treat as the Culinary Underground School for Home Cooks is inviting any and all to come out to their Buche de Noel (Yule Log) Workshop, Dec. 18, 10-3pm.
One Man’s Garbage…
Still bummed by that ugly sweater you got as a gift a few years ago? Finally, put it to good end-use! For one night, The Haven in JP is embracing all the terrible gifts of the world in their Boxing Day Crap Present Swap, Dec. 26. Put yours in a box then swap it with someone random. Everyone receives a Scottish Tunnock’s Snowball and a chance to sip on mulled wine or Scottish beer. For more information, call Jason at 617-792-9092.
Keeping Your Resolutions
The Boston Center for Adult Education is encouraging all of you to keep up with your New Year resolutions by enrolling in any one of their one-hour classes costing a mere $12. Hint, hint — a great gift idea for home chefs! Check out the list and register online.
Delicious Gifts
Have a gastronome on your Holiday shopping list? No worries! Give the gift of experience and knowledge. Island Creek Oyster Bar is hosting two exciting seafood events: the first, “Know Your Fish,” is a hands-on workshop being held Jan. 14; the second, a “Merroir & Terroir Tasting” of different kinds of oysters, begins Jan. 15. More info can be found at ICOB’s website; make reservations by calling 617-532-5300.
NATIONAL BITES
Sleek and Functional
So we’ve all heard about how iPads are starting to take over kitchens, but where can you set these delicate, costly gadgets so they won’t be in danger of spills and falls? The RingO Tablet has the solution. Just slide your tablet into the case and mount in on the wall. What could be easier?
So Easy a 5 Year Old Can Do It
Training your children to fetch your morning latte may be easier than you think. This week, HuffPost Food shared this adorable video, courtesy of Clive Coffee, showing the coffee bean-slinging duo, Ellaine and Ethan, whipping up a foamy latte.
Only the Chefs at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Can Do THIS
Truly a stunning, edible masterpiece. Watch how presidential pastry chefs put together a 400-lb model of The White House made of white chocolate and gingerbread.
GLOBAL TASTINGS
Readings on Wine and Spirits
Increase your knowledge and expand your repertoire with this concise list, composed by the New York Times, of four worthy new books on wine, wine-making and mixology.