There is no excuse for being bored in Columbus this February! I have found hundreds of interesting events and whittled down to this list of select local food and gardening events. Some are listed on the Hounds in the Kitchen calendar if you prefer the visual approach. As always, leave a comment if you have an event to add or recommend.
Cooking Class: Erin Chittum from M
February 2, 6:30 pm, Hills Market
This two hour class will start in our kitchen, as Chef Chittum creates a three course meal. We'll serve that full meal, along with accompanying wines selected by Constance Begue, in our Wine Department. The class is $45 per person and requires reservations.
Field and Screen Film Series at The Wexner Center
Various dates and times starting Feb 3.
The food industry grows, processes, and distributes what we eat more cheaply and efficiently than at any point in history. Field & Screen features some of the best recent documentaries to address these issues along with films that illustrate the wonderful pleasures that food offers us. A discussion with local food stars Jaime Moore, Jeni Britton Bauer, and Amy Bodiker on AgriCulture from 7 - 10 PM February 3 kicks off the series.
Dine Originals Chef Series Class ~ Rigsby's Kitchen
Wednesday, February 3, 2010, 6:30 - 8:30 PM, North Market
Watch demonstrations and eat dishes from Kent Rigsby. Class $50 (any 3 classes for $125)
Slow Wine at the Vine
Wednesday, February 3, 6-9 p.m., Twisted Vine
Joining Slow Food Columbus for Slow Wine at The Twisted Vine in Grandview, where wine will be poured by the glass or by the bottle with a $5 corkage fee.
Kids Cook - Oranges
Thursday, February 4, 11:15 am - 12 pm, Sprout Soup
3 - 6 year olds will create and taste recipes with a variety of oranges and create a pomander to take home with Rachel Tayse of Hounds in the Kitchen.
Vegetarian Cooking at Wild Goose Creative
Sun, Feb 7, 7pm – 9pm
Join Columbus Chef Instructor Laura Robertson-Boyd introduces us to the concept of eating vegetarian. Find out what to eat to get the necessary nutrients with plenty of delicious samples. $10
Cooking Class: Keith Adams from Tip Top Kitchen
Feb 9, 6:30 pm, North Market
Tip Top Kitchen's Chef Keith Adams will be present a menu of two Tip Top favorites as well as one of his own dessert specialties during this two hour class. We'll start with a one hour presentation in our kitchen followed by his three course meal with accompanying wines in the Wine Department. The class is $35 per person and requires reservations.
Dine Originals Chef Series Class ~ Alana's Food + Wine
Wednesday, February 10, 2010, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m, North Market
Chef Alana Shock and Pastry Chef Devon Morgan will demonstrate and serve delicious dishes. Class $50 (any 3 classes for $125)
Kids Cook - Honey
Thursday, February 11, 11:15 am - 12 pm, Sprout Soup
3 - 6 year olds will create and taste recipes with honey and create a heart shaped treat to take home with Rachel Tayse of Hounds in the Kitchen.
School of Cooking Class ~ Vegetarian Cooking
Thursday, February 11, 2010, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., North Market
Join Holistic Nutritionist Liz Clapacs for education and tasting of vegetarian cooking techniques. Class $50 (any 3 classes for $125)
OEFFA's 31st Annual Conference: "Growing with Integrity, Eating with Intention"
Saturday, February 13 - Sunday, February 14, 2010, Granville, Ohio
The conference will have a full offering of informative, hands-on, educational
workshops; exhibitors; a fun and educational kids’ conference;
great homemade meals featuring local, organic foods; Saturday evening entertainment; networking opportunities; and dynamic keynote speakers—Joel Salatin and Chef Ann Cooper. Rachel's workshop is from 10:30 - 11:25 AM on Saturday the 13th.
Kids Cook - Garlic
Thursday, February 18, 11:15 am - 12 pm, Sprout Soup
3 - 6 year olds will create and taste recipes with garlic and plant a garlic chive to take home with Rachel Tayse of Hounds in the Kitchen.
North Market Fiery Foods Festival
Saturday, February 20, activities from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., North Market
Salsa Contest, Hot Sauce Contest, Customer Chili Cook-off, Hot Pepper and Hot Wing Eating Contests, and more! Visit the link above for details on how to participate and the whole event schedule.
Knife Skills Class
Sat, February 20, 8:30am – 11:30am, Wild Goose Creative
Chef instructor Laura Robertson-Boyd will lead a beginners knife-skills class at Wild Goose Creative. Skills taught will include chiffonade, mincing, julienne, small dicing, amongst many others. The $50 registration fee includes produce and recipes, and knives and cutting boards will be provided for use in the class. Registration is limited - please email info@wildgoosecreative.com for more information or to register.
Sustainable Clintonville Winter Gardening Close to Home
Monday, February 22, 2010 at Cafe Bela, located at
2593 N. High Street Columbus, OH 43202. Starting at 7pm
Our hosts will share with us what gardening and food production efforts they are making on-site even during the winter months. Also presenting will be
local producers and residents practicing some of the many ways we
might produce food for ourselves and our neighbors even during the
cold winter months here in Columbus.
February 24 at 6:30 p.m., Hills Market
This class will feature simple dishes from Japanese and Thai cuisine that create a basis for learning more. She’ll also cover wok and stir-fry basics. The class is $35 per person and requires reservations.
Kids Cook - Black Beans
Thursday, February 25, 11:15 am - 12 pm, Sprout Soup
3 - 6 year olds will create and taste recipes with black beans including a dip and brownies with Rachel Tayse of Hounds in the Kitchen.
"Meet Your Farmers" A Community Supported Agriculture Fair
Thursday, Feb. 25th, 5-7pm., Wexner Center for the Arts
Representatives from several local farms, including Wayward Seed Farm, will be in the café to speak with guests individually about the virtues and possibilities of community supported agriculture (CSA).
Sustainable Worthington Open Meeting
Thursday, February 25, 7-8:30 pm Old Worthington Library (820 High Street) Meeting Room
Please join us to talk about sustainability in Worthington and
connect with each other. We will talk about specific areas of interest
including community gardens, education, outreach, helping to make
Worthington more walkable/bikeable and local foods. All are welcome!
Central Ohio Home & Garden Show
February 27, 2010 - March 07, 2010, Ohio Expo Center
The show is the region's most exciting and interactive home and garden show, featuring more than 400 exhibits and attractions. Adults $8. Children free.
Cooking with Kids: Why, What, and How
Sunday February 28, 1 – 2 pm, Sprout Soup
Rachel from Hounds in the Kitchen will share techniques for making cooking with the whole family more enjoyable. This workshop for adults only is free!
From February 27 - March 7, the Ohio Expo Center will host the 2010 Central Ohio Home & Garden Show. With an Art in Bloom theme, the show will feature living landscapes, works of art, and appearances by home and garden celebrities. Mary Alice Yeskey and Geof Manthorne of Ace of Cakes, Jamie Durie, star of HGTV's The Outdoor Room, and HGTV's Designed to Sell host Shane Tallant have scheduled events.
While I have never attended the Home & Garden Show, it has always captured my interest. There are chef demonstrations, a Kids Day with special events, and workshops on everything from vegetable gardening to cake decorating. I'm excited to explore the show this year.
A week ago, my grandmother sent a thick envelope. Inside were brochures about the 
