Culinary calendar

Cooking Classes at the Kitchen Engine - Today, 5:30 p.m., “Cheesy” hors d’oeuvres, $39; Sunday, 2 p.m., Burnt Cream, Chocolate Mousse and Strawberry Coeur à la Crème, $39. Kitchen Engine, 621 W. Mallon Ave. (509) 328-3335.

Spokane Valley Partners Food Distribution - Food baskets will be provided to those Spokane Valley residents who sign up for them. Sign-ups will be accepted on Wednesdays and Thursdays during food bank hours. You must call for an appointment and arrive on time. Recipients must be a Spokane Valley resident, have identification, proof of household residency (i.e., utility bill, mail with name and address on it, school record or Medicaid card). Spokane Valley Partners Building, Food Bank, 10814 E. Broadway Ave. Visit svpart.org or call (509) 927-1153 for more information.

Italy: Culinary Capitals - Master Chef Steve Geving presents Italy: Culinary Capitals Revisited. Reservations are required at (208) 437-0426. Today, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Blanchard Community Center, 685 Rusho Road, Blanchard, Idaho. $25.

St. Vincent de Paul Soup Lunch Fundraiser - Sample more than 30 soups from local businesses. Proceeds benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Warming Center for the homeless. Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Kootenai County Fairgrounds, 4056 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene. $10. (208) 765-4969.

Tasteful Thursdays - Enjoy live music, seasonal offerings, and sample a variety of wine, cider, beer and cheese. Thursday, Iron Horse Brewery, Colter’s Creek Winery and Black Coffee Roasting Co.; Dec. 5, Sticky Fingers Farm and Harvester Brewing. All tastings held 5-7 p.m. Moscow Food Co-Op, 121 E. Fifth St., Moscow, Idaho. Free. (208) 882-8537.

Winter Warmers and Holiday Brews - Get in the mood for the colder weather and holidays with winter seasonal and special-release beers. Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Total Wine & More, 9980 N. Newport Highway. $15. (509) 466-1644.

Spice Traders Mercantile Birthday Bash - Friday-Sunday. To mark its second birthday, Spice Traders is having a weekend tasting event. A loose-leaf tea tasting will be Friday; beer tasting on Saturday; and wine tasting on Sunday. Tastings will be held 3-6 p.m. Spice Traders Mercantile, 15614 E. Sprague Ave. Free. (509) 315-4036.

Holiday Wine Festival - Visit more than 20 Spokane area wineries for tastings and holiday gifts. Friday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m., maps available at www.spokanewineries.net. Tasting fees may apply.

10th Annual Wine Dinner and Auction - Presented by the Dean’s Forum and Gonzaga School of Business. Featuring a multiple-course dinner and wine tour of South America. Net proceeds benefit the endowments, scholarships and fellowships in the School of Business Administration. Purchase tickets at www.gonzaga.edu/winedinner. Friday, 6 p.m., Gonzaga University, Cataldo Hall, 502 E. Boone Ave. $150/person. (509) 328-4220.

Wine and Cheese at the Market - Tastings include: Friday, Pinot Noir; Nov. 29, Black Friday wine specials. 7 p.m. Rocket Market, 726 E. 43rd Ave. $20. (509) 343-2253.

Annual Spokane Humane Society FurrBall - A reception will be 6-7:30 p.m. in the Elizabethan Room, with a silent auction, cocktail hour and hors d’oeuvres. Dinner will be at 7:45 p.m. After dinner enjoy a live auction of eight Christmas trees complete with gift certificates and items. Each tree is valued at about $2,500. Enjoy the Parade of the Animals from the Spokane Humane Society. Dance to live music by 6 Foot Swing at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. $125/person. (509) 467-5235, ext. 211.

Friends of Head Start Flapjack Fundraiser at Applebees - Menu includes pancakes, sausage, eggs and drinks. Call to reserve a seat. Sixty percent of the proceeds benefit Head Start programs in Idaho’s five northern counties. Saturday, 8-10 a.m., Applebee’s, 280 W. Hanley Ave., Coeur d’Alene. $10. (208) 666-7555.

Nouveau Wine Barrel Tasting - Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and music while tasting and comparing new wine with older vintages from the oak barrels. Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m., China Bend Winery, 3751 Vineyard Way, Kettle Falls, Wash. Free admission. (509) 732-6123.

American Italian Club 45th Annual Spaghetti Dinner - All-you-can-eat family spaghetti feed includes spaghetti and meatballs, salad, rolls, coffee, pop and ice cream. Sunday, noon-6 p.m., Gonzaga Preparatory School, 1224 E. Euclid Ave. $9/adults; $5/ages 7-12; free/6 and younger. (509) 467-6389.

Salvation Army Food Distribution - Frozen turkey and the fixings to prepare your own Thanksgiving dinner will be distributed. Proof of residency (a piece of mail) and picture ID are required. Tuesday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Spokane Arena, 720 W. Mallon Ave. (509) 325-6821.