Culinary calendar

Cooking Classes at the Cooking Engine – Today, 5:30 p.m., Fish Tacos and Mexican Grilled Corn, $39. Kitchen Engine, 621 W. Mallon Ave. (509) 328-3335.

Holiday Appetizers - Joanie’s Magic Spoon presents a cooking class appetizers for the holidays and all year round. To register, call (509) 624-6564 or email joaniesmagicspoon@gmail.com. Today, 6 p.m., Joanie’s Magic Spoon, 10307 N. Prairie Drive. $45.

Cooking With Love: Beyond Eggnog - Two Cooks With Love will present a cooking and mixology class on Christmas recipes from around the world. Today, 6-8:30 p.m., 11712 E. Boone Ave. $35/person; $60/couple. (509) 891-5980.

Tasteful Thursdays - Enjoy live music, seasonal offerings and samples. Thursday, Ninkasi Brewing Co. and Whiskey Barrel Cider Co.; Dec. 19, Sticky Fingers Farm and Clearwater Canyon Cellars. All tastings 5-7 p.m. Moscow Food Co-Op, 121 E. Fifth St., Moscow. Free. (208) 882-8537.

“Dickens of a Dinner” - A four-course dinner accompanied by a performance of the Charles Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol.” Performances are Fridays and Saturday at 6 p.m. Lion’s Share, 1627 N. Atlantic St. $45. (509) 327-1113.

Wine and Cheese at the Market - Tastings include: Friday and Saturday, Small Vineyards Spain, $20; Dec. 20 and 21, Red Blends, $20; Dec. 27 and 28, Top 100 Wines of 2013, $29. All events at 7 p.m. Rocket Market, 726 E. 43rd Ave. (509) 343-2253.

“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” Dessert Theater - A nostalgic musical drama set in 1941 during World War II. Friday at 7 p.m.; and Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. First Church of the Nazarene, 9004 N. Country Homes Blvd. $5/includes performance, dessert and coffee. (509) 467-8986.

Port Wine & Chocolate Tasting - Sample several decadent Port Wines paired with chocolate. Saturday, 1 p.m., Spice Traders Mercantile, 15614 E. Sprague Ave. $10. (509) 315-4036.

Christ Kitchen Gingerbread Build-Off - Ninth annual gingerbread house build-off from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Hall of Doges. Culinary teams decorate enormous gingerbread structures in three hours as the public watches. 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. No reservations required. Sunday, Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. Viewing is free. (509) 325-4343.

Community Potluck - Held the third Sunday of each month for delicious food and time to connect with others. Potlucks always feature a guest speaker on topics such as nutrition, animal rights or cooking. Sunday, 5 p.m., Community Building, 35 W. Main Ave. Free; donations welcome. (509) 607-0409.

Bread Making - Joanie’s Magic Spoon presents a class on varieties of yeast bread and holiday bread stuffed with candied fruits and nuts. Call (509) 624-6564 or email joaniesmagicspoon@gmail.com to register. Tuesday, 6 p.m., Joanie’s Magic Spoon, 10307 N. Prairie Drive. $45.

Christmas Treats - Master Chef Steve Geving presents “Around the World Christmas Treats.” Reservations required at (208) 437-0426. Dec. 18, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Blanchard Community Center, 685 Rusho Road, Blanchard, Idaho. $25.

Healthy Cooking Class - Learn how to substitute fat, salt and sugar in traditional family meals. Register at wellness.inhs.org. Dec. 19, 6:30-8 a.m., West Central Community Center, 1603 N. Belt St. Free. (509) 326-9540.

Commellini Estate Restaurant Night - Elegant dining experience among twinkling Christmas trees and festive decor. The evening’s menu was created by Commellini Estate chef Gary Johnson. The five-course meal is $35. Happy hours from 3 to 5 p.m. and 9 to 11 p.m. features various appetizers, seasonal cocktails and drink specials, $3-$7. Dec. 20, 3 p.m., Commellini Estate, 14715 N. Dartford Drive (509) 466-0667.

Winter Solstice - A tasting of winter ales to celebrate Winter Solstice. Dec. 21, 2-4 p.m., Huckleberry’s Natural Market, 926 S. Monroe St. $5 for a flight of five. (509) 624-1349.

Do Italian! With Chef Angelo - The chef of the renowned Angelo’s Ristorante of Coeur d’Alene presents “The Ultimate and Fast Appetizer: Bruschetta la Prima Donna.” Includes meal, instruction plus wine and beer. Jan. 15, 5:30 p.m., Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center, 405 N. William St., Post Falls. $50. (208) 457-8950.