Class Schedule September-December 2024

Garden to Glass Cocktail Series

Join local mixologist Beth Dixon as she demonstrates three original, delicious craft cocktails. Sip samples of each cocktail as you enjoy expertly paired small plates. Fees include demonstration, cocktail samples and food pairings.

NEW! Harvest Happy Hour | October 15 | IN-PERSON

Join local mixologist Beth Dixon, owner of Salt and Acid Beverage Consulting, as she showcases the fabulous flavors of fall through three delicious, autumn-gathering-friendly craft cocktails. She’ll highlight seasonal flavors in a Fig Sangria with red wine and orange, a Harvest Old-Fashioned with maple and cinnamon, and a Lights Out Punch with tea-infused vermouth, tequila, apple and citrus. During the demo, sip samples of each cocktail as you enjoy expertly paired small plates. Fee includes demonstration, cocktail samples and food pairings.

NEW! Tropical Food Plants: Pulses: Beans, Lentils and Peas | October 19 | IN-PERSON

Take your palate on a Sri Lankan culinary adventure, as we explore the world of pulses. While the term pulse may be unfamiliar, you likely have many pulses in your pantry right now. They are the edible seed of the legume plants (Fabaceae or Leguminosae family) such as beans, lentils and peas. Pulses are an important source of protein, vitamins, complex carbohydrates and fiber in the human diet. Because of their texture, flavor and nutritional content, they’re a staple of diets around the world, both vegan and non-vegan, and tropical varieties are used extensively in Sri Lankan cooking. Learn some new culinary uses for more familiar legume seeds, such as black-eyed peas, chick peas, lentils, soybeans, and lima beans. Discover some less familiar pulses, such as green gram, black gram, horse gram, and hyacinth bean. We’ll explore how to add these valuable food sources to your diet based on Sri Lankan cuisine and cooking styles. Sample some delicious curries, breakfast dishes, sprouts, sweets, and high protein, pulse-based flour goods.

Vine to Glass Series

NEW! The 2024 Governor’s Case, Part 2 | October 22 | IN-PERSON

Each year since 1982, the Virginia Wine industry has honored the Commonwealth’s top wine with the Virginia Governor’s Cup. In 2012, the Governor’s Case was introduced to recognize the top 12 wines, the highest scoring of which earns the coveted Cup. Now in its 40th year, this competition has grown into one of America’s most strident blind tastings. Over two sessions, you’ll have the opportunity to taste the 12 highest-ranked Virginia wines of 2024 whilst guided by an amiable, charismatic expert. Fee includes complimentary wine glass and six wine samples, each accompanied by an expertly paired small plate.

NEW! Apples and Cider: A Virginia Story…Past, Present and Future | November 12 | IN-PERSON

In Wild, Tamed, Lost, and Revived: The Surprising Story of Apples in the South, cidermaker and orchardist Diane Flynt tells a 200-year-old tale with anecdotes of 17th century Virginia orchards, Presidential apple grower, southern apples on the Oregon Trail emigrants, and even Queen Victoria. In 1997 Flynt founded Foggy Ridge Cider, the South’s first cidery. Join us to hear her journey as a grower and cidermaker, and her insights into Virginia’s complex history with this fruit. Her research and passion will enable you to never again view apples and cider with a simplistic lens. MacKenzie Smith, owner of Richmond’s Blue Bee Cider, will share additional cider commentary. Enjoy sampling three ciders from Blue Bee made with heirloom southern apples, taste heirloom apple varieties and apple themed nibbles.

Tea—A 5,000 Year Tradition at the Queen’s Library Tea Room | December 12 | IN-PERSON at Queen’s Library Tea Room

One amazing plant in over 3,000 varieties produces the second most consumed beverage on Earth: tea. Join tea expert Mark Ragland for an exploration of all things tea through an elegant formal tea experience at the Queen’s Library Tea Room. Located in Jackson Ward, the Queen’s Library Tea Room provides a sophisticated and intimate setting with botanically-inspired decor. Registration includes tea samples, and full tea luncheon with 3-course tea tower featuring delectable savory and sweet selections and British tea room classics.