Nibble: Tasty CT Food Events for Week of January 19-26

The 6th Annual Great Mac And Chili Challenge takes place indoors at the new SoNo Collection in Norwalk CT on Sunday January 26th from 11am – 3pm.  Sample and cast your votes in categories that include classic beef chili, creative chili, and mac ‘n cheese.  Pair the eats with beers from New Belgium, who are one of this year’s sponsors.  The competition will benefit Food Rescue US in the ongoing fight against food insecurity. 

Say Cheese!  Fairfield Cheese Company invites you to Cheese 101, where you can get down to the basics over tasty cheeses .  It runs from 7-9pm and costs $50 per person. 

In honor of National Cheese Lover’s Day, Heirloom Restaurant is hosting an Artisanal Cheese Tour January 19-26th, daily 4pm to close. Savor and sip through four distinct pairings with Heirloom’s Wine Director and turophile, Maurice Juarez. The Artisanal Cheese Tour begins with, three types of wine each paired with complementing cheeses, crostini, fig marmalade, and honeycomb. The final wine completes the experience with a short-rib and cheese slider. For info call 203.503.3919

On Tuesday January 21, Republic Gastropub in Bloomfield invites you to a wine dinner featuring Domaine de Paris Rose , Albert Bichot Horizon Chardonnay, Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages, Pierre, Amadieu Gigondas, and Albert Bichot Cremant Brut.  A full 5-course menu from Chef Steven Wolf will accompany the wines.  It is $65 plus tax and gratuity. 

Executive Chef Brian Leth, of James Beard Award-winning Fish & Game in Hudson, is the Greenwich Supper Club's first chef of 2020. Dine on a meal prepared by him at Courtnay's Kitchen on Tuesday January 21 from 7-10pm. 

Max a Mia in Avon presents an il Poggione Wine Dinner on Tuesday January 21.  Join them from 6-9:30pm. 

Join Washington Prime on Wednesday, January 22 and taste the beautiful wines of Sequoia Grove and the rare single estate reserve bottles of St. Francis winery and vineyards. Dishes include chili + espresso rubbed scallops, duck confit, prime ribeye, and more. The 5-Course Pairing Dinner costs $95, plus tax and tip. 

Ay Ay Captain!  Foundry Kitchen and Tavern presents a Beer Dinner with Captain Lawrence on Wednesday January 22.  The 4 course dinner by Chef Clark with pairings will take place in their private loft.  It is $65 per person. 

The Rustic Barn in Killingworth will have a Gourmet Bruschetta Sampler Board & Pink Soapstone Board class on January 23.  In this workshop, they will teach you how to make the toppings for 3 types of bruchetta: Traditional Tomato Bruchetta, Berry Goat Cheese Honey , and Cranberry, Brie, Prosciutto.  You will go home with the appetizer plate as listed above, a pink soapstone appetizer board from the Rustic Barn Collection, and the toppings and bread you used to create during the class.   

The Stratford Health Department will hold a Parent Child Cooking Class on Thursday January 23.  Kids 2-10 and an adult can make healthy and kid-friendly recipes for the new year.  The class is FREE but registration is required. 

The annual Mohegan Sun Wine and Food Fest takes place this weekend!  Festivities kick off on Friday January 24 with a bourbon tasting, grand tasting preview, and cigar and wine pairing.  The weekend continues with Saturday’s Grand Tasting and the Celebrity Chef Dine Around, and the After Party.  On Sunday, end the weekend with an epic Brunch Battle.   

Guilford Mooring will be hosting a Tuscan Wine Dinner on Friday January 24 at 6:30pm.  The multi-course, prix-fixe dinner features wine pairings and is hosted by Douglas MacLeod of Freixnet Minoetto USA.  Reservations are required; tickets are $90 per person (including tax and tip). 

On Saturday January 25, The Common Bond Market in Shelton will have a FREE Snack Tasting Day.  They’ll have all kinds of snack and beverage samples, including vegan and gluten free options. 

Taste of Fairfield - WinterFest brings together restaurants, markets, vintners, distillers, brewers, and the people to enjoy it all. The focus on this winter edition is comfort food, party food, and food you'd serve at a Super Bowl party. There will be music, standup comedy, bowling, and roving entertainment. The venue is the lavish Brooklawn Country Club, offering a great, warm indoor space, with plenty of parking and elbow room.  It all goes down on Sunday January 26.   

On January 26, “Learn to Make Fatayer- Iraqi Savory Pastries” at Sanctuary Kitchen by CitySeed.  The unique hands-on cooking experience gives participants the opportunity to learn authentic recipes from Iraqi chef, Zainab.  After the lesson, sit down to enjoy the meal that you helped prepare! All participants will receive copies of the recipes used. Class size is limited to 15 people.   

The Rotary Club of Ridgefield presents the 21st annual Taste of Ridgefield on January 26 at the beautiful Lounsbury House. 100% of the profits from the 2020 event will be used for Rotary’s annual scholarship and Community Grants. Tickets run from $25-$25 and include complimentary samples from over 25 top local restaurants, caterers and merchants . You can also leave with a bag full of discount coupons with value exceeding the price of admission.