EVENT | It’s a Bacardi party
Bacardi Mojito Challenge
Wed. Aug. 15
7-10 p.m.
$25
S.C. Aquarium
100 Aquarium Wharf
(888) 262-9787
An expert mojito features not only the correct rum-to-soda ratio, but also the right amount of sugar and mint. Too much and it tastes like toothpaste, too little and it tastes like, well, rum. Some local bartenders will be mixing it up at this Wednesday’s Bacardi Mojito Challenge at the Aquarium. Mixologists from Tristan, FIG, Charleston Grill, High Cotton, S.N.O.B., Muse, Coast, and the Thoroughbred Club, among others, will be there battling to make the best Bacardi Mojito, and your votes decide the winner. WEDNESDAY
Louie’s Kids Fundraiser: In-Home Cooking Classes
Italian chef and BBC cooking show host Carmelita Caruana will present classes on Italian cuisine in participants’ homes. Proceeds to benefit Louie’s Kids. Through Aug. 17. $200 to host a class. 343-5746. www.louieskids.org
Louie’s Kids Fundraiser: Slow Food Lunch
Avid Slow Foodie Carmelita Caruana teams up with Chef Mike Lata of FIG for a local farm lunch. Call for reservations. All proceeds go to Louie’s Kids. Wed. Aug. 15, 12 p.m. $65/minimum donation. FIG, 232 Meeting St. 805-5900. www.fig.com
Louie’s Kids Fundraiser: Tuscan Farm Fare
Carmelita Caruana demonstrates how to prepare traditional Tuscan food. All proceeds go to the Louie’s Kids Fund. Wed. Aug. 15, 6:30 p.m. and Fri. Aug. 17, 6:30 p.m. $65/minimum donation per person. Charleston Cooks!, 194 E. Bay St. 722-1212. www.charlestoncooks.com
Louie’s Kids Fundraiser: Italian Wines & Appetizers
Gather your supper club friends and learn some unique tips for entertaining with the Italian Wines & Appetizers event. All proceeds go the Louie’s Kids Fund. Thurs., Aug. 16, 5-7 p.m. $45/minimum donation per person. The Square Onion, I’On Square, 18-B Resolute Ln. 856-4246. www.squareonion.com
Charleston Tea Plantation Tours
America’s only tea plantation, now owned by R.C. Bigelow, is open to visitors. Take a narrated bus tour of the fields and see how tea is made, talk to tea experts, and sample American Classic Tea. Each Sun. 12-4 p.m. and Wed.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Charleston Tea Plantation, 6617 Maybank Hwy. 559-0383. www.bigelowtea.com/act
Good Food Catering’s August Shmooze
Mingle and cool down with fresh drinks and Mediterranean fare from Chef Jeremiah Jackson of Good Food Catering. Cucumber-melon martinis, homemade hummus, and spanakopita are just some of the offerings at this waterfront gathering. A selection of beer, wine, and cigars will also be available. Thurs., Aug. 16, 5:30-8:30 p.m. $25. Historic Rice Mill Building, 17 Lockwood Dr. 723-7952. www.CharlestonFoodCompany.com
Thoroughbred Club Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea with all the trimmings; reservations strongly suggested. Each Mon.-Sat. 1-4 p.m. $22/Classic Charleston, $27/ South of Broad. Thoroughbred Club, 205 Meeting St. Charleston Place Hotel. 722-4900 x7689.
Coffee Roasters Tours & Tastings
Charleston Coffee Roasters opens its doors for monthly tours and tastings. Attendees will learn about exotic coffees from around the world and experience roasting first hand. Tours will be from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-1:30 p.m. Fri. Aug. 17 and Fri. Sept. 21. Free. Charleston Coffee Roasters, 289 Huger St. 266-7444. www.charlestoncoffeeroasters.com
Charleston Farmers Market
Every Saturday, the market features the finest local produce, plants, flowers, and herbs along with food, fine art and crafts, and live entertainment. Each Sat. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Through Dec. 16. Marion Square, Calhoun and King. 724-3746.
Wholly Cow Coffee Tasting
Wholly Cow hosts a coffee tasting featuring beans from four Central American countries. Tues., Aug. 21, 6 p.m. Free. Wholly Cow Ice Cream and Espresso Bar, 840-B Coleman Blvd. 216-5991.
Wines of the World
Start with cocktails at J’Paulz followed by a limo ride to Woodlands for the Wines of the World Dinner featuring Pinots. Tues., Aug. 21, 5:30 p.m. $200. Woodlands Dining Room, 125 Parsons Road. 810-0088. WINEDINEWINE@ comcast.net
Pinot Lover’s Dinner
Woodlands Resort hosts its monthly Wines of the World tasting and pairing dinner with a focus on pinots. 12 different wines will be served as well as an artfully prepared menu from Executive Chef Tarver King. Tues., Aug. 21, 6:30 p.m. $79. Woodlands Resort and Inn, 125 Parsons Road. 308-2103. www.woodlandsinn.com
Wine Lover’s Happy Hour
Wine flights of five different wines of varying themes. Each Tues.-Sat. 5-7 p.m. $5 for 5 (2 oz. pours). Amuse, 1720 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. 573-8778.
Arlaana Wine Tastings
Tasting of wines from around the world accompanied by hors d’oeuvres. Each Wed. 6-8 p.m. $20. Arlaana Restaurant, 259 Seven Farms Dr. 471-2400. www.arlaana.com
Wine Tasting
Sample wines from local distributors twice a week. Call for details. Each Mon. Thurs. 5-7 p.m. $5. Avondale Wine and Cheese, 813B Savannah Hwy. 769-5444.
Around the World Wine Tasting
Sample wines from around the world. Each Fri. 5-7 p.m. $5. O’Hara & Flynn, 1640 Palmetto Grande Dr. 216-1916. 160 E. Bay St. 534-1916.
French Wine Tasting
This week’s tasting features the renowned Chateauneuf du Pape varietals from Provence. Fri. Aug. 17, 5-7 p.m. $1. Ted’s Butcherblock, 334 East Bay St. 577-0094. tedsbutcherblock.com
In Good Tastings
Informal weekly wine event. Each Fri. 5-7 p.m. $1. In Good Taste, 1901 Ashley River Road. 763-5597.
Flight Night
Sample varying flights of wine, focusing on Spanish flavors. Tues. $12-$25. Raval, 453 King St. 853-8466.
Summer Wine Strolls
Stroll America’s oldest landscaped gardens and sample a variety of summer wines. Stay for dinner and get a complimentary dessert. Wed. 5:30-7 p.m. $5. Middleton Place, 4290 Ashley River Road. 556-6020. www.middletonplace.org
Carribean Salsa
Participants will jam to a reggae beat, find islands on the globe, discuss the climate and how it affects produce, and make mango salsa. Call to register. Sat. Aug. 18, 11 a.m. Free. Earth Fare, 74 Folly Road. 769-4800. www.earthfare.com
Kosher Cooking
Learn the art of kosher cooking with Rabbi Ari Synter and kosher caterer Marcie Rosenberg of Dining In, Inc. Learn the basic symbols to look for when purchasing products, and how to adapt your favorite recipe for a kosher kitchen. On Aug. 27, Rosenberg continues to teach how to keep your kitchen organized and Tristan Executive Chef Ciaran Duffy teaches how to make trendy kosher dishes. Mon. Aug. 20, 7-9 p.m. and Mon. Aug. 27, 7-9 p.m. $69. Trident Technical College (Main Campus), 7000 Rivers Ave. 574-6152.
E-mail cuisine calendar items to editor@charlestoncitypaper.com or fax to 576-0380 by the Wed. before the week of the event.