All good things come in pairs…er, pairs of pairs. Celebrate the fourth anniversary of tavola restaurant with Quattro: Four Courses and Four Arias. Tavola’s skilled chefs will prepare a four course pre-fixe dinner accompanied by performances from Ash Lawn Opera’s La Boheme on Saturday, July 13 starting at 6pm. Tickets are $100 per person, or $145 with wine pairings. A portion of the proceeds support the Ash Lawn Opera. Call 972-9463 or e-mail info@tavola vino.com.
If you’re looking to expand your culinary skills, PVCC is offering a few culinary-focused summer courses. Tim Gearhart of Gearhart’s Chocolate is teaching an advanced course in chocolate production, preparation, and piped fillings at Jefferson School City Center on Monday, July 8 and 15 from 7-9pm.
On Wednesday, June 19, l’étoile chef/owner Mark Gresge will teach a course on pâtés and terrines from 6-9pm. But if you miss it, catch Gresge expounding on the “Incredible Egg” on Wednesday, July 31 from 6-9pm, or the art of canning and pickling (a summertime staple) Monday, July 22, also from 6-9pm.
Still not enough culinary knowledge for you? PVCC recently added a Culinary Arts associate degree to its offerings. A degree in Culinary Arts will prepare students for jobs as chefs, sous chefs, pastry chefs, caterers, and more. Find more info at pvcc.edu/culinary.
You may have seen or tasted the delicious farm fresh salsa and hummus from the Farm at Red Hill, but Saturday, June 29 from 10am-2pm, you’ll have the chance to see the farm and learn how to create a farmstead operation to live sustainably on less than five acres. Take a greenhouse tour, discuss value-added production, and sidle up to tasting tables for the farm’s delicious dip. Both families and picnics are encouraged. The open house is free to the public, but does require an RSVP, which can be done at Whole Foods.
The Virginia Film Festival doesn’t officially begin until November, but a spin-off summer series, VFF at Old Met, kicks off at Old Metropolitan Hall with a documentary called The Love of Beer on Tuesday, June 25. The film is directed by Oregon filmmaker Alison Grayson and is focused on a group of female brewers from the Pacific Northwest faced with the challenges of working in a male-dominated business. Local food and beer will be served at 7pm with a panel discussion featuring area brewers and business owners following the film. Tickets are $20 at virginiafilmfestival.org or at the door.