Culinary calendar

Cheney Middle School Food Drive - Students in Action canned food drive. Drop off donations at the school. Continues through Friday. 2716 N. Sixth St., Cheney. (509) 559-4400.

Hobo Dinner - 5:30 p.m. social hour, 6:30, dinner and dancing. Friday. Sons of Norway Tordenskjord Lodge, 6710 N. Country Homes Blvd. $8.50. Reservations recommended. (509) 326-9211.

Crab Feed and Dancing - Hosted by the Elks Lodge. Dance to Good and Plenty Plus One. Reservations required. Saturday. 5:30-7 p.m., 2605 N. Robie Road. $15/crab, $12/ham. (509) 926-2328.

Pancake Breakfast - University Elementary School is raising money for library materials. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the school, 1613 S. University Road, or at the restaurant. Saturday. 8-10 a.m., Applebee’s, 12217 E. Mission. $5/adults, $3/children 12 and under. (509) 228-4650.

Toast the Tigers Fundraiser - Second annual wine tasting and dinner along with a silent auction to support the Lewis and Clark High School class of 2008 senior all-nighter. Saturday. 5:30-9:30 p.m., Southside Senior Activity Center, 3151 E. 27th Ave. $45/advance, $55/door. (509) 747-1519.

“Wines of Europe” Wine School - Fun wine-tasting and a relaxed, educational experience. Each class includes up to eight wines and light refreshments. Introduction to Bordeaux Wines, Jan. 17 at 6:30, $45. Wines of Tuscany – Chianti and Beyond, Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., $40. The Wines of Spain – Rioja, Albarino, Sherry and more, March 20, 6:30 p.m., $35. Vino!, 222 S. Washington St. $45. (800) 826-5674 or (509) 838-1229.

Pancake Breakfast - Menu consists of scrambled eggs, sausage, juice, coffee and all-you-can-eat pancakes. Jan. 20. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Sons of Norway Tordenskjord Lodge, 6710 N. Country Homes Blvd. $4/adults, $2.50/age five and younger. (509) 326-9211.

Fun with Fondue - With Chef Jeremiah Timmons of Ambrosia Bistro and Wine Bar. Learn how to warm up with fondue on those cold winter nights. Prepay only; reservations may be made up to three days before the scheduled class. Jan. 21. 6-8 p.m., Saunders Cheese Market, 210 S. Washington St. $45. (509) 455-9400.

Sake and Sushi Tasting - Featuring a demonstration on how to make sushi, presented by Raw Sushi and Island Grill. Jan. 24. 5-8 p.m., Cena, 12501 N. Highway 395, Suite 3. $5. (509) 328-3709.

Robert Burns Supper and Social Dance - Join the St. Andrew’s Society of the Inland Northwest in an evening of celebrating the 249th birthday of Scottish Poet Laureate Robert Burns with dining, entertainment and social dancing. Jan. 25. 6 p.m., Northern Quest Casino, 100 N. Hayford Road, Airway Heights. $35. (509) 325-SEAT.

Seventh 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 learn how chefs create their culinary masterpieces. Tickets available at Vino! A Wine Shop, 222 S. Washington St., Hallett’s Chocolate Factory, 1419 E. Holyoke Ave., and University Appliance locations, 9907 E. Sprague Ave., 3916 N. Division St. and 6960 Government Way, Coeur d’Alene. Jan. 26. 2-6 p.m., Spokane Community College, Lair Building, 1810 N. Greene St. $15/door, $10/advance, includes two adult beverage coupons, additional coupons can be purchased for $1 each through the Spokane Restaurant Association. (509) 242-2668.

Chef’s Culinary Classic - An intimate, black tie dining experience provided by the American Culinary Federation Chefs de Cuisine of the Inland Northwest and Children’s Miracle Network. The most outstanding chefs from throughout the Inland Northwest prepare a five-course culinary masterpiece to pair with outstanding complimentary wines. The evening also features high-end silent and live auctions. Jan. 26. 6 p.m., Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. $150/person. (509) 473-6370.

Spaghetti Feed and Silent Auction - To benefit Salk Middle School Band, Strings, Choir and Orchestra. Dinner includes spaghetti, salad, bread and beverage. Jan. 29. 5:30-8:30 p.m., Salk Middle School, 6411 N. Alberta St. $5/general, $4/ages 5-12, free/age four and younger, $20/family. (509) 354-5600.

Fruit of the Vine Wine and Microbrew Tasting - Sample wines from 30 renowned wineries and local microbrews at the third annual tasting event, benefiting St. Mary’s Catholic School. Feb. 1. 7-10 p.m., Davenport Hotel, Grand Pennington Ballroom, 10 S. Post St. $50. (509) 924-4300 ex. 200.

NIC Wild Game Feast - The ninth annual event features a five-course meal of wild game delicacies created by Steve Taylor of NIC Food Services. Social at 6 p.m. with appetizers to include alligator wontons, Tibetan yak meatballs and wapiti quesadillas with an opportunity to enjoy music and view silent auction items. The menu will feature Creole turtle soup, spinach salad with crispy boar bacon and quail eggs, kangaroo medallions and a huckleberry bread pudding. A special wine selection and no-host bar will be available. Wildlife displays provided by Beth Paragamian of the Idaho Fish and Game Department, Idaho Panhandle National Forest and Bureau of Land Management will be on display. All proceeds benefit the NIC Alumni Association and scholarships for NIC students. Feb. 2. North Idaho College, Tselusm Dining Room of Edminster Student Union Building, 1000 W. Garden Ave., Coeur d’Alene. $75. (208) 769-7806.

Love is in the Air - With Chef Jeremiah Timmons of Ambrosia Bistro and Wine Bar. Learn some new romantic tips for the kitchen and prepare a romantic meal from start to finish. Prepay only; reservations may be made up to three days before the scheduled class. Feb. 11. 6-8 p.m., Saunders Cheese Market, 210 S. Washington St. $50. (509) 455-9400.

Sweethearts for Kids Wine Tasting and Auction - Benefit for Children’s Home Society of Washington. Featuring award-winning cuisine by Downriver Grill paired with local wineries and live music. Spokane wineries presenting: Barrister, Knipprath Cellars, Mountain Dome, Townsend Cellars, Vintage Cellars and four more to be announced. Silent and Loud Auction items include: distinguished wine selections, airfare and hotel to Seattle, theme-dinners, golf packages, and great baskets. Feb. 11. 6-9 p.m., Event- Barrister Winery, 1213 W. Railroad Ave. $100/individual, $175/pair (2 tickets). Tickets available at CHSW, 2323 N. Discovery Place, (509) 747-4174; or Downriver Grill, 3315 W. Northwest Blvd., (509) 323-1600. Barrister Winery, (509) 465-3591.

Heartwarming Reds - John Allen of Vino’s will share some lovely reds. Bring a date and warm the soul with red wines and cheeses paired to perfection. Prepay only; reservations may be made up to three days before the scheduled class. Feb. 12. 6-8 p.m., Saunders Cheese Market, 210 S. Washington St. $45. (509) 455-9400.