Traditionally people spend the first week of January making resolutions about eating better and all that. But not us. Although there is one healthy event, mostly it is business as usual, with a Henderson Avenue grand opening, a desserts-only cooking class and a championship tasting.
Tuesday, January 6
Engine 2 28 Day Challenge at Whole Foods Market Addison
If you want to jump on the Engine 2 diet bandwagon, join this 28-day challenge and get help along the way. Each week Whole Foods Market Addison hosts supportive meet-ups with cooking demos, speakers, fitness tips and more. This is the kickoff and orientation, which includes a program outline, resources and store tour; it starts at 8 pm. It's free to attend, but you must sign up.
Thursday, January 8
Henderson Avenue Country Club Grand Opening
The new Henderson Avenue honky-tonk hosts a grand opening January 8-11, replete with barbecue and other vittles; craft cocktails and beer; and tunes by country, Americana, folk and Texas music artists. You must RSVP to get complimentary hors d'oeuvre from 6-9 pm, and you have to pay for the drinks you consume. Shows start at 10 pm, and there is no cover.
Wine 101 by Dallas Wine Education Center at Visit Addison
In this class you learn a logical system for tasting and evaluating wine that helps you remember, describe and classify what you taste. You also will walk away understanding the differences between the classic red and white grape varieties, expressions on a wine label, and basic food and wine pairings. The class runs from 6:45-8:15 pm and costs $75. Sign up online.
Saturday, January 10
Four Desserts Every Cook Should Know at Sur La Table
This hands-on cooking class focuses on everyone's favorite course: dessert. Recipes include vanilla crème brûlée, no-fail chocolate soufflé, pear and almond tart, and individual salted caramel cheesecake. Cost is $69 per person, and the class runs from 10 am-noon. Book your seat online.
Chocolate Momentum Tour
Your love for chocolate can help change the lives of at-risk youth, because a portion of proceeds from this event benefits Cafe Momentum. Enjoy a cornucopia of chocolate treats from Kate Weiser Chocolate, Village Baking Company, Isabelly's Sweet Treats and others on this excursion presented by Dallas Bites Food Tours. The $39 price tag includes transportation in a private bus, tour guide, food samples and beverages. (You can also bring your own.) The bus leaves at 1 pm. Buy tickets online.
Sunday, January 11
Taste of the Championship at Irving Convention Center
The College Football Playoff championship game comes to North Texas on January 12, and as part of the festivities, local top chefs — including Richard Chamberlain, Omar Flores, Kevin Garvin, TJ Lengnick, Scott Gottlich and Gilbert Garza — and their peers from around the country gather for this big-deal dinearound. Guests can also meet former NFL and college greats — including Tim Brown, Larry Brown, Tony Casillas, Tony Dorsett, Preston Pearson and Randy White — who will be stationed near the chefs. Proceeds go to the College Football Playoff Foundation and North Texas Food Bank. The event kicks off at 7 pm; tickets cost $300 for general admission and $400 for VIP, and they can be purchased online.
Shinsei is just one of the many restaurants participating in the Taste of the Championship at Irving Convention Center on January 11.
