Congrats go out to Kathleen Blake, Scott Hunnel, and James and Julie Petrakis for being named James Beard Award semifinalists in the Best Chef: South category. Final nominees will be announced March 15.
The Art of the Cocktail, a three-part cocktail class and competition at 6:30 p.m. tonight (Feb. 24) at Aggressive Appliances, allows guests to mix it up with three of the city’s best mixologists: Blake Jones of Courtesy Bar, Paul Johnsen of Slate and Justin Levaughn of the Ravenous Pig. Cost is $35 per person.
Also at Aggressive Appliances, Toolbox4Life presents Taste4Toolbox, a fundraiser for the nonprofit that trains at-risk women in basic commercial kitchen skills. Enjoy bites by John Rivers (4 Rivers), Kevin Fonzo (K), Jean Stephane-Poinard (Urbain 40), Kathleen Blake (Rusty Spoon) and Greg Richie (Soco, Baoery), wine from Tim’s Wine Market, and dessert by Jane’s Short & Sweet, Peterbrooke Chocolatier and Blue Bird Bake Shop.
Masterchef Junior contestant Zac Kara (no relation to yours truly) holds a live cooking demo at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Millenia Mall Williams-Sonoma.
New Outdoor Kitchens at this year’s Epcot Flower & Garden Festival (March 2-May 30) are the Bauernmarkt, a German farmer’s market; La Isla Fresca, serving Caribbean fare; and Cider House.
Cress Restaurant in DeLand has discontinued its “Counter Cress” service because of high demand for the “Taste Cress” option (three-course, five-course and chef’s tasting menus). The restaurant will add seating to accommodate more diners.
OPENING
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ, specializing in yakiniku, or Korean-style meat grilling, will open on Turkey Lake Road in Dr. Phillips this summer … New Moon Juice Bar in College Park is now open for business … McGinnty’s Irish Pub has gutted and renovated the former Uncle Henry’s Country Cafe space in Edgewood and officially opens March 1 … Oblivion Taproom is back from the dead and celebrated its grand reopening last week (Feb. 19), thanks to longtime-patron-turned-owner Shawn Paris.
CLOSING
Barnie’s CoffeeKitchen in the CityArts Factory will close Feb. 26.
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This article appears in Feb 24 – Mar 1, 2016.
