Culinary calendar

Our Kids: Our Business Luncheon - Dr. Robert Anda will speak about “connecting the dots” between social well being, health, community economic impact and adverse childhood experiences. Registration required. Register online at www.unitedwayspokane.org. Thursday. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Spokane Convention Center, Ballroom A, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. $30/person, $300/table of 10. (509) 838-6581.

Dine Out for Life - International fundraiser with proceeds from Spokane-area meals benefiting Spokane AIDS Network. Participating restaurants include: Ambrosia Bistro (lunch and dinner), Aracelia’s Mexican Restaurant (lunch and dinner), Bennidito’s Pizza (lunch and dinner), Chaps Restaurant (lunch), Fai’s Noodle House at Northern Quest Casino (lunch and dinner), Herbal Essence (lunch and dinner), Luigi’s Italian Restaurant (lunch and dinner), Mizuna (lunch and dinner), Percy’s Cafe Americana (lunch), and The Woodlands at Northern Quest Casino (breakfast, lunch and dinner) Thursday. (509) 455-8993, ext. 231.

Sushi Classes - During Japan Week, held on Thursday and May 1; 6 p.m., Japanese Cultural Center, 4000 W. Randolph Road. $20. (509) 328-2971.

Winemaker Dinner - Hosted dinner of Japanese food with sake and plum wine. Thursday. 6:30 p.m., Silver Mountain, Mountain Cafe and Catering, Kellogg. $34. (208) 783-0562.

Colfax Chamber Wine and Microbrew Tasting - Enjoy some of the best beer and wine on the Palouse during this annual event. Live and silent auctions, food and fun. Friday, 6 p.m., Hill Ray Plaza, 801 Vista Point Drive, Colfax. $20/advance, $25/door. (509) 397-3712.

NICYC Dinner and Auction Fundraiser - Includes spaghetti dinner, live and silent auction, no host bar, and music by T.J. and Country Legends Music Express. Proceeds benefit North Idaho Catholic Youth Camp. Endorsed by Kootenai County Catholic Parishes Knights of Columbus. Friday. 5:30-9:30 p.m., American Legion Hall, 1138 E. Poleline Road, Post Falls. $10 at the door. (208) 457-0658.

Spaghetti Dinner - Dinner of salad, spaghetti and garlic bread. Learn about upcoming neighborhood events including ArtFest and the Summer Concert Series, Friday, 5-7 p.m., Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 314 S. Spruce St., in Browne’s Addition. Donation. (509) 747-6433.

Winemakers Dinner at Windows Restaurant - Enjoy Chef Don Rey’s menu paired with Camas Prairie wines and live jazz featuring Jazz HitNoSis with Mary Chavez and Tom Kelly. Dine with winemaker Stuart Scott of Camas Prairie Winery who will talk about his role as a winemaker and be on hand to answer questions. Reservations required. Friday. 6:30 p.m., Windows Restaurant at Red Lion Hotel at the Park, 303 W. North River Drive, Spokane. $60. (509) 326-8000.

Sixth Annual Dutch-Oven Workshop - Begins at 11 a.m. with instruction on how to cook with cast iron pots, followed by actually cooking up some vittles. Around 3 p.m. participants will dig in, potluck-style. Those who have taken the class before are invited to bring their pots and join in the fun. Saturday. City Park, Rathdrum. $25. (208) 687-2399.

International Student Dinner - Reservations required. Celebrating Japan Week. Saturday, 6 p.m., Gonzaga University, Cataldo Hall, Globe Room. (509) 323-6560.

Mexican Dinner and Auction - Benefits building supplies for families in Mexico. Saturday, 5-9 p.m., Shadle Park Presbyterian Church, 5508 N. Alberta St. $5/person, $15/family. (509) 327-3393.

Sukiyaki Dinner - 59th annual event with each dinner made individually to order. Sushi, senbei and Japanese crafts sale. Saturday, noon-7 p.m., Highland Park United Methodist Church, 611 S. Garfield St. $12/dinner. (509) 535-2687.

Opera Plus! Gala Celebration - Featuring a silent auction offering dinner deals, art by local talent, tickets to performances by Lake City Playhouse, CdA Symphony, Spokane Symphony and Summer Theater, and a package deal from the Coeur d’Alene Resort. Also includes live music with six vocalists and a pianist performing various arias and show tunes, and a raffle with prizes by Costco, including a $500 iPod main prize. No host beverages begin at 5 p.m., dinner at 6. Call for ticket information. Sunday. 5 p.m., Coeur d’Alene Resort, 115 S. Second St. $110/person. (208) 765-3723.

Sweets for the Sweet - Chef Jeremiah Timmons shows us how to incorporate cheeses into unique and delicious desserts. Prepay only; reservations may be made up to three days before the scheduled class. Monday. 6-8 p.m., Saunders Cheese Market, 210 S. Washington St. $45. (509) 455-9400.

Intro to Wine and Cheese - Learn the basics with John Allen and Kim Morin. They will teach you about the fundamentals of wine and cheese. Prepay only; reservations may be made up to three days before the scheduled class. Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Saunders Cheese Market, 210 S. Washington St. $45. (509) 455-9400.

Tip Toe Through the Tulips Luncheon - The Philanthropic Committee of the Spokane Daughters of the Nile is holding a luncheon with featured guest speaker Cheryl-Anne Millsap, correspondent for The Spokesman Review. All proceeds go to the children at Shriners Hospitals for outpatient care and needs. April 30. Noon, Red Lion Hotel at the Park. $35 donation. (509) 624-6130.

17th annual Wine Tasting and Auctions - Hosted by The Odessa Health care Foundation. Admission includes a commemorative glass, sampling of Northwest wines and delicious appetizers. Proceeds have been earmarked to help build a shed to house the hospital’s ambulance and transportation van. May 2. 6:30 p.m., Community Center, Odessa, Wash. $15. (509) 988-3046.

Bishop’s Dinner - Proceeds support the 15 programs of Catholic Charities Spokane in 50 Eastern Washington locations, ranging from homeless shelters to child care to low-income senior housing. Enjoy a five-course dinner featuring regional wine pairings. May 2. 6 p.m., The Spokane Club, 1002 W. Riverside Ave. $150. (509) 358-4254.

Rustic Italian Dinner - Catered by The Barn at Trezzi Farm. A fundraiser for the church’s resource team which supports the yearly church budget. May 3. 5-7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church, 4340 W. Fort George Wright. $10/adults, $5/children. (509) 467-1344.

Italian Cooking Classes - Tuesdays, May 6-20. Students will prepare a five-course Italian meal with Paula Mannino, appetizer through dessert. Menu planning will be taught. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Classes are $45 each. Call to register. (509) 893-8969.

Mother’s Day Tea - Tea sandwiches and sweets as Mistress Lou Carver presents “History to You,” bringing 1880-1920 Spokane history to life. She will share museum quality artifacts, clothing and photos of Spokane’s history. Bring a picture of the woman you call “mother” to share. May 7. 2-4 p.m., Southside Senior Activity Center, 3151 E. 27th Ave. $12. (509) 535-0803.