Get Into the Holiday Spirit with Great Food, Beer & Chocolate Events

It’s that time of year again…holiday lights, frost on the windows…oh, and don’t forget great food, beer & chocolate events! It’s a busy season, but there are a few things you definitely won’t want to miss!

Here are a few December events with SmallBar Division, Katherine Anne Confections, Oskar Blues Brewery, Bread & Wine and The Scrumptious Pantry that are sure to get anyone (even the Grinch!) into the holiday spirit.

MONDAYS AT BREAD & WINE

Every Monday

Every Monday, Chef Curtis Gamble will be selecting six pieces of the highly-lauded housemade charcuterie and cheese for only $20! (normally priced at $28)

Bread & Wine

3732 W. Irving Park Rd

Chicago, IL

December Chef Collaboration at Katherine Anne Confections

December 3rd-the month of December

The recently-opened Katherine Anne Confections confiserie is excited to continue its monthly chef collaborations! Katherine is creating a limited-edition collaboration truffle with a different Chicago chef every month with proceeds benefitting a charity of the chef’s choice.

For the month of December, Katherine Duncan, founder and confectionista, has partnered with Heather Terhune of Sable to create the Buttered Rum truffle. The truffle has been created using bittersweet and milk chocolate, brown butter, dark rum, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and orange bathed in delicious, rich Katherine Anne Confections’ ganache.

Proceeds will benefit Common Threads. This truffle will be available beginning December 3rd through the month of December or while supplies last!

Upcoming collaborations include Leonard Hollander from Marion Street Cheese Market and more to come…

Make Your Own Truffles at Katherine Anne Confections!

Wednesday, December 5

6:30 p.m.

Get into the holiday spirit with an evening of chocolate! Katherine Duncan, founder and confectionista of Katherine Anne Confections, a locally-focused chocolatier, will be hosting a December Truffle Making Party—perfect timing for delicious, holiday-flavored treats! Katherine opens her kitchen and recipe book to the public as she demystifies the art of making truffles. Come into Katherine’s kitchen and warm up in the most delicious way possible!

The party starts off with appetizers, wine and socializing. Attendees sample the chocolates, discuss pairings and taste ingredients before moving on to designing flavors and creating ganache. Teams of 3-5 people will create classic hand-rolled truffles with Katherine’s guidance—in addition, she will share tips and tricks for designing the perfect truffle. Those who attend will create, design, melt, chill, scoop and roll truffles to completion. Each attendee will leave with a sampling of the four truffles created that day.

The price is $50 and includes wine, light appetizers and truffles! Reservations are required and space is limited, so sign up today! http://www.katherine-anne.com/parties

Katherine Anne Confections

2745 W. Armitage

Chicago, IL 60647

HEIRLOOM CLASS AT THE SCRUMPTIOUS PANTRY

Thursday, December 6

6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

The Scrumptious Pantry, the heirloom-focused gourmet food company, continues the “Heirloom 2.0” event series, designed to teach traditional food values and skills to urban dwellers and beyond. The Scrumptious Pantry founder Lee Greene will discuss what to look for in produce, the basic steps in the canning process, how to ensure food safety, plus some of Lee’s favorite heirloom recipes that are perfect for the holidays. Home canned foods are great stocking stuffers and hostess gifts for the upcoming holiday season, so this intro will focus on the basics. To sign up for this class, click here. The class costs $20 each, feature a specialized professional teacher and include refreshments and light snacks.

The Scrumptious Pantry

3230 W. Fullerton

Chicago, IL 60647

OSKAR BLUES CASK TAPPING

Friday, December 7

7:00 p.m.

SmallBar Division is celebrating the holiday season with a special Oskar Blues Cask Tapping event! Smiddy, a stout made from the second running of the grain used to make the Oskar Blues Imperial Stout, Ten FIDY, will be on cask. A keg of Ten FIDY will also be tapped for a side-by-side comparison.

In addition, Chef Justin White has created a special Shepherds Pie with Stout Gravy to feature at the event. The stout gravy is made from Ten FIDY, last seen at the 3Floyds Beer Brunch over a year ago!

For more information, visit the Facebook invite page: https://www.facebook.com/events/393253687421016/

There is no cover charge for this event and the beer is available for purchase and consumption at SmallBar.

SmallBar Division

2049 W. Division St.

Chicago, IL

773-772-2727

NEW YEAR’S EVE AT SMALLBAR DIVISION

Monday, December 31

8:00 p.m.

New Year’s Eve Sit Down: SmallBar Division is offering 30 seats for New Year’s Eve reservations. $100 a person gets guests a guarenteed seat for SIT DOWN at 8:00 p.m. for a celebratory three-course dinner with full drink pairings & one bottle of complimentary bubbly per couple. Reservations are required. Email [email protected] or call 773-772-2727. Tickets can also be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/300441

New Year’s Even Git Down: At 10:00 p.m., SmallBar Division will open the doors wide open for the annual no cover, no reservations GIT DOWN with DJ Intel and DJ Pickel of The Comeups. First come, first served!

SmallBar Division

2049 W. Division

Chicago, IL

NEW YEAR’S DAY AT SMALLBAR DIVISION

Tuesday, January 1

12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

New Year’s Day Hangover Brunch: Cure what ails you! SmallBar Division will be open at noon with the full brunch menu served until 4:00 p.m. Plus: bloody marys and mimosas will be available to help you get back on your feet for 2013.

SmallBar Division

2049 W. Division

Chicago, IL