Culinary calendar

A Celebration of Washington Wines - A dinner and auction benefiting Washington State University’s program in viticulture and enology; Saturday, 6 p.m., Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville, Wash.; $175/person. 335-6479.

Chinese New Year - Celebrated by SCC’s Asian/Pacific Club and the Spokane Chinese Association. Honoring the Year of the Dog, activities include a free cultural fair and marketplace from 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m., at Spokane Community College Lair-Student Center, 1810 N. Greene St. The New Year’s program begins at 3 p.m. and the Chinese New Year banquet takes place at 5:30 p.m. at Top of China Buffet, 21 E. Lincoln Road. Cost for performance only is $10/adults, $5/children age 4-10, age 3 and under/free; cost for performance and banquet is $23/adults, $12/ages 4-10, free/ages 3 and younger, Saturday. 434-5150.

Ethiopian Coffee Tasting and Fund-raiser - Learn about the origin of coffee and relish the subtleties of harrar, celebres, sidamo and yrgahcheffe coffee beans prepared in the traditional Ethiopian manner in a gebena. Proceeds benefit Ethiopian Monasteries. Limited seating, RSVP required; Saturday, two seatings, 10 a.m. and noon, On Sacred Grounds, Steam Plant Square, 163 S. Lincoln St.; $5. 747-6294.

Food Demonstrations - Taking place during the University Appliance open house and product demonstration; Saturday, 3916 N. Division St. Free. 326-5631.

Lutefisk/Meatball Dinner - Semiannual event. Lutefisk, Swedish meatballs, boiled potatoes, flatbread and dessert. RSVP by today. The dinner will be Sunday, 12-3 p.m., Sons of Norway Tordenskjold Lodge, 6710 N. Country Homes Blvd.; $16. 326-9211.

Big Reds Tasting - Taste Quilceda Creek, Leonetti and others. Jan. 26. 6:30 p.m., Vino!, 222 S. Washington St. $55. 838-1229.

The Perplexing World of Pinot Noir - Find out why this grape is considered the holy grail of wine markers the world over, and it’s such a finicky grape to grow; Jan. 27, 7 p.m., Rocket Market, 726 E. 43rd Ave., $25. 343-2253.

Winter Dinner and Dance - Soup, ham au gratin, biscuits and honey and dessert. Dancing to Uncle Harold’s Band; Jan. 27, 5:30 p.m., Sons of Norway Tordenskjold Lodge, 6710 N. Country Homes Blvd. $8.50. Please RSVP by Jan. 25. 326-9211.

Fifth Annual Festival of Foodies - Savor Signature dishes from area restaurants. Taste wines, champagnes, microbrews and spirits. Visit a variety of retailers who specialize in culinary products. Enjoy live music and watch and learn how chefs create their culinary masterpieces. Tickets available at Vino! A Wine Shop, 222 S. Washington St.;Brickhouse Massage and Coffee Bar, 14222 E. Sprague Ave.; Hallett’s Chocolate Factory, 1419 E. Holyoke Ave.; and University Appliance, 9907 E. Sprague Ave., 3916 N. Division St., and 6960 Government Way, Coeur d’Alene. Jan. 28. 2-6 p.m., Spokane Community College, Lair, 1810 N. Greene St. $10/advance, $15/at the door (includes two beverage coupons). 242-2668.

Chef’s Culinary Classic Benefit for Children’s Miracle Network - Chefs from the American Culinary Federation Chef’s de Cuisine of the Inland Northwest join together to create a special evening of wine combined with superb food courses to create a culinary masterpiece. Don’t miss this incredible dining experience. Call to reserve a table. Sponsored by Northern Quest Casino; Jan. 28, 6 p.m., The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. Various sponsorships are available. Call 473-6370 for details.

Supper and social dance - The Scottish St. Andrew’s Society of Spokane hosts their annual celebration for the birth of Robert Burns with an evening of haggis, whisky, dinner and dancing. Reservations are required; Jan. 28, 6 p.m., Mukogawa Ft. Wright Commons, 4000 W. Randolph Road, $35. 922-3661.

Wild Game Feast - Seventh annual event presented by the North Idaho College Alumni Association. Four-course meal of wild game delicacies such as Northwest smoked salmon and spinach canapés, braised elk and venison sausages with red cabbage and granny smith apples for starters; Jan. 28, 6 p.m., Coeur d’Alene Inn, 414 W. Appleway, Coeur d’Alene, $50. (208) 769-5978.

Fruit of the Vine Wine Tasting - Proceeds benefit St. Mary’s Catholic School. Special room rates available. Pre-purchase tickets through the school; Feb. 3, 7-10 p.m., Davenport Hotel, 10 N. Post St. 226-2120.

Black Tie and Blue Jean Benefit Dinner and Auction - Benefits Changing Our Lives Together and includes silent auction, dinner, live auction and dancing; Feb. 4, 5 p.m.-midnight, Red Lion Hotel at the Park, 303 W. North River Drive; $30/person, $240/table of eight. RSVP by Jan. 19. 927-COLT.

Souper Bowl Snowday for Women - Cross country ski race and tours, snowshoe tours. Lunch provided from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. courtesy of Christ Kitchen and Great Harvest Bakery; Feb. 5, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Mt. Spokane State Park, Selkirk Lodge. Donation of $10 or more. 838-4225.

Oshogatsu - A New Year Celebration - Michiko Takaoka of the Japanese Cultural Center, will speak about the 12 zodiac animals and Japanese New Year traditions. Patrice Pendell, also of the JCC, will serve traditional green tea, maccha, followed by seasonal light lunch with traditional treats including kuromame, teriyaki chicken, ozoni, saifun, oranges and green tea. Feb. 6. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, 4000 W. Randolph Road. Free. Reservations required by Feb. 3. 328-2971.

The Mystery and Romance of Pinot Noir - Taste wines France, Oregon, California and others; Feb. 9, 6:30 p.m., Vino!, 222 S. Washington St.; $40. 838-1229.

Winter Wine Dinner - Presented by the Inland Northwest Culinary Academy. Students and faculty prepare a four-course meal featuring the cuisine and wines of Spain; Feb. 17. Spokane Community College, 1810 N. Greene St.; $60. RSVP and pre-payment is required. 533-7283.

Luxury Wine Tasting - Presented by Vino!, includes 17 wines from Champagne and Bordeaux, France and California, appetizers, program and information handouts; Feb. 27., 6 p.m., Spokane Club, Cutter Room; $55. RSVP by Feb. 24. 838-1229.