Culinary calendar

Cooking Classes at The Kitchen Engine - Upcoming classes include: Today at 5:30 p.m., Be Your Own Best Barista with Young Bennett from Doma Coffee Roasting Company; and Thursday at 5:30 p.m., Prime Rib with chef Mark Steinmetz. Registration is required. For cost and more information, visit www.thekitchenengine.com. Kitchen Engine, 621 W. Mallon Ave. (509) 328-3335.

Christmas Tree Elegance Culinary Events - Thursday, 11:30 a.m., 30th anniversary celebration luncheon, Grand Pennington Ballroom, reservations required to (509) 458-TREE; $50/person. Saturday, 8:30 a.m., Mobius Kids Santa Breakfast, Grand Pennington Ballroom, reservations required to (509) 624-KIDS. Monday, Tuesday and Dec. 7, 11:30 a.m., Holiday Hat Luncheon, sponsored by the Davenport Hotel, Grand Pennington Ballroom, reservations required to (509) 789-6808; $25/person. Dec. 6, Christmas Tree Elegance Strolling Fashion Show and Lunch, reservations required at (509) 458-TREE, $50/person. The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. Raffle tickets are $1 each. (509) 458-TREE (8733).

Joanie’s Magic Spoon Cooking Classes - Upcoming classes include: Today at 6 p.m., “Puff the Magic Pastry,” learn how to make appetizers using puff pastry and phyllo dough, $50; Tuesday at 6 p.m., learn how to make various breads, $45. Registration is required. Joanie’s Magic Spoon, 10307 N. Prairie Drive, Spokane Valley. $45, includes instruction, recipes and crepes. (509) 624-6564.

Spokane Public Market - Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. 24 W. Second Ave. (509) 624-1154.

Small Vineyards Wine of Spain and France - Tristan Ohms will present eight Spanish and French wines accompanied by cheese and local Bouzie Bakery bread. Reservations are requested. Thursday, 7 p.m., Rocket Market, 726 E. 43rd Ave. $20 plus tax. (509) 343-2253.

“An Unexpected Christmas” - Dinner theater presented by Northwoods Performing Arts. Dinner at 6:30 p.m.; show at 7:30. Dates and menus include: Friday, Gala Night, Garlic Prime Rib; Saturday, Smoked Sirloin Steak; Tuesday and Dec. 6, Herb Roasted Chicken; Dec. 7 and 8, Baron of Beef Roll-ups. Circle Moon Theater , Highway 211 off Highway 2, Newport, Wash. $20/dinner and show; $12/adults, $10/children and seniors for show only; $30/person for Gala Night. Tickets available at Seeber’s Drugstore in Newport or by calling (208) 448-1294.

Wine and Cheese at the Market - Presented by Rocket Market. Upcoming tastings include: Friday, Tour of Italy - The Best of the Boot with Joseph Gore of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, eight wines; Dec. 7, Wine and Cheese with Bill Brownlee of Cascade Creamery, eight wines, $20 plus tax; Dec. 8, Saturday Class/Rocket Wine Club’s Greatest Hits, eight wines, $20 plus tax. All classes start at 7 p.m. and include cheese and local Bouzie Bakery bread. Reservations are requested. Rocket Market, 726 E. 43rd Ave. (509) 343-2253.

Breakfast with Santa - Enjoy a pancake breakfast, a variety of children’s games, crafts, other activities and have your picture taken with Santa. Hosted by Spokane Valley Rotary Club. Proceeds benefit Rotary College Scholarships Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and other Rotary service projects. Registration encouraged. Saturday, 9-11 a.m., CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley. $5/person at the door. (509) 688-0300.

Military Veterans Christmas Potluck Lunch - All Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Merchant Marine and Navy veterans are invited. Spouses, guests and significant others are also welcome. All veterans are requested to bring a hot dish, a salad or a dessert. The only cost to the veteran is a recommendation that a new toy be brought to the lunch for a 9- to 12-year-old child. Representatives of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign have been invited, and all toys will be donated to Toys for Tots. Saturday, noon, North Hill Masonic Lodge, 706 W. Garland Ave. (509) 327-2068.

First Sundays at McCroskey House - Enjoy brunch/lunch at the historic Garfield McCroskey house. Ten percent of the day’s proceeds will be donated to Seedlings Child Care Center. Sunday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Garfield McCroskey House, 803 N. Fourth St., Garfield. $8/adults, $5/children ages 11 and younger. (509) 635-1459.

UI Alumni Holiday Dinner - University of Idaho alumni are invited to this dinner featuring the Vandaleers. Presented by the Eastern Washington and Kootenai County chapters of the University of Idaho Alumni Association. Social hour at 6 p.m., dinner and program at 7 p.m. RSVP by Friday to www.uirsvp.com or call (208) 885-6154. Tuesday, the Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. $50 per person, $40/graduate of the last decade or Gold graduate.

Mobile Food Bank - In partnership with Contract Based Education High School and Second Harvest Food Bank, this event provides free fresh produce and perishable products for all families in need of assistance. Open to the public, no appointment or documentation necessary to participate. Must be present in order to receive products, except for home-bound persons. Please bring a box for your food. Distribution will be Dec. 7, Feb. 8 and May 10, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Contract Based Education, 115 S. University Road, Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 927-1100.

14th Annual Christmas Breakfast and Fundraiser - Benefits Northeast Spokane Kiwanis and Camps for Kids. Registration at 6:30 a.m., program begins at 7 a.m. with address by Marty Gonzales, director of operations for Mobius Kids Children’s Museum and Mobius Science Center. Auction items will be available. For tickets, email camps@spokanekiwanis.com. Dec. 7, Spokane Club, 1002 W. Riverside Ave. $30/person, $300/table. (509) 838-8511.

Christ Kitchen Gingerbread Build-Off - Eighth annual gingerbread house build-off from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Hall of the Doges. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Grand Pennington Ballroom, children can make their own mini-gingerbread house for $7, with proceeds benefiting Christ Kitchen. Dec. 9, the Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. Viewing is free. (509) 954-0554.