Weekly Nibble: Upcoming Food News & Events Emma Jane-Doody Stetson June 06, 2014 Monday June 9, June 9, the Wilton Chamber of Commerce present its 7th Annual ‘Taste of Wilton’ on the Wilton Town Green. The event will feature food and beverage purveyors from throughout the area who showcase samples of their specialties. From 5:30-8:30, swirl and savor the best that local chefs, culinary personalities, mixologists and restaurateurs have to offer. Get schooled with Fairfield Cheese Company Tuesday, June 10th. 7-9pm with a "Perfect Pairings: Cheese & Wine" class. With the help of their friends at Harry’s Wine & Liquor, they will pair the perfect cheese with its perfect wine match and discuss the basics of pairing cheese & wine $45.00 Barcelona New Haven will teach you to make “Classic Spanish Tapas” on Tuesday June 10. To make reservations, please call the restaurant at 203.848.3000. $25pp. “Wine, Cheese, and Art” will come to New Canaan on Wednesday June 11. The Rotary Club of New Canaan and the Carriage Barn Arts Center are jointly sponsoring a wine and cheese tasting event set in the Carriage Barn's exhibition hall. The funds raised will support Rotary's End Polio campaign and the Arts Center's programs. 6-9pm. The Darien Farmers Market takes place from 11-4 on Wednesdays in the Goodwives Shopping Center. Beer aficionados take note! On Thursday June 12, Backstage in Torrington, CT will put on its 3rd Homebrew Competition. Presented by Sierra Nevada, Southern Tier, Long Trail and Blue Point breweries, the annual event gives beer-making a chance to show off their best creations. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Closer To Free Ride for Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven. Also on Thursday the 12th, internationally renowned chef Didier Elena of Chef’s Club by FOOD & WINE teams up with chef Brian Lewis of elm restaurant for a special dinner entitled “JUNE FLAVORS FROM THE FRENCH RIVIERA TO THE CONNECTICUT RIVER.” Didier Elena, a native of Monaco and two-decade veteran chef under chef Alain Ducasse, will prepare dishes that reflect the hallmarks of pure, minimal ingredients of southern French-mediterranean cuisine. Hosting chef Brian Lewis will focus on the abundant ingredients found locally in southern Connecticut, mostly from neighboring Millstone Farm. $150.00 per person includes a cocktail reception at 6pm as well as a five-course seated dinner, with wine pairings at 7. For reservations, please email info@elmrestaurant.com or call 203.920.4994. Thursday June 12, Castle Wine & Spirits and 55° Restaurant present a Burgundy Wine Dinner featuring the wines of Louis Jadot, Domaine Ferret and Chateau des Jacques. Harry’s Wine & Liquor Market, Blue Lemon, and Cape Classic present a South African Wine Dinner on Thursday the 12th. Taste wine with 4 guest winemakers and enjoy delicious food. 7pm, $69 plus tax and tip. http://www.harryswine.com/main.asp?request=EVENTS&event=427& The Westport Farmers market takes place from 10-2 on Thursdays. Friday June 13th is a special night of music at Walrus + Carpenter in Bridgeport. Fairfield Prep Alumni will return to take the stage. Stew Leonard’s of Newington will hold a children’s cooking class on Friday June13th. From 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., kids can make “Summer Treats” like kite cookies and sailboat cupcakes. $15 per child, ages 6 and up. On Saturday, they continue their children’s cooking classes with “Father’s Day Goodies.” Toddlers (ages 2-5) can make treats for dads from 9:30-11am while children 6 and up have their chance from 4-5:30pm. $15 per child. CT’s own Hopkins Vineyard hosts a “Night Owl Night” on Saturday. From 6-9. enjoy after hours in the new wine bar with live music by Terrance Griswold, Kevin Caputo and Adam Scherer. Taste their award winning wines and try cheese platters featuring local Arethusa Farm. No Reservations needed. No cover charge. Saturday June 14, Half Full Brewery in Stamford wants you to participate in the “Hoptimist Experience.” $5 gets you a a tour (which starts at 3), a sampling glass, and 5 samples. Growlers are available for purchase as well. http://halffullbrewery.com/event-calendar/ Ambler Farm has announced plans for their annual "Sunset Picnic – An Evening in the Garden" on Saturday, June 14 from 6 to 10 pm. Sip refreshing cocktails and enjoy tasty hors d’oeuvres while you enjoy the views of the farm. Afterwards, enjoy a family-style dinner under the tents as the sun sets. $95 members / $110 non-members.